MEET OUR IN-HOUSE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Did you know we have an in-house Doctor of Physical Therapy? Tracy is a DPT of 16 years who owns and operates TRAIN Physical Therapy inside Freight House Fitness. She treats not only our members, but anyone who may benefit from her comprehensive services.
Tracy also hosts mobility and strength seminars at the gym — which are open to everyone and free for FHF members — to help people avoid injury during workouts as well as everyday activities. She’s planning a foot/ankle seminar next. Stay tuned to our blog and Instagram for updates!
Where did you go to college?
I went to Michigan State for my undergraduate degree (Kinesiology), and then to the University of Michigan-Flint for my Doctor of Physical Therapy.
What made you want to become a DPT?
The silver lining of having my own various sports-related injuries was that I got to observe physical therapists in action while in high school and college. Sprained joints, strained muscles, broken bones and dislocations are obviously rough physically, but healing from injuries also has a very emotional side. I was lucky that my physical therapists and athletic trainer were able to tap into that. They were inspiring and motivating! Physical therapy seemed like a natural fit, and I hoped I'd be able to pay it forward.
Why did you decide to treat patients inside a gym? Why Freight House specifically?
It all happened very organically! Opening a business wasn’t necessarily on my radar, but I was having a hard time finding something that fit my philosophy and treatment style. I was already a member at Freight House because I loved their workouts and energy. One day, I was picking Brandon’s brain to see if he knew of any PT companies that could be a good fit. He casually mentioned the open corner of the gym, which got our wheels turning. My background in physical therapy included working with a wide variety of patients, but especially lifting athletes (Olympic weightlifters, Crossfitters, powerlifters, Strongmen and women competitors, etc.). Freight House felt like a natural place to be. I was then able to meet Bre, and we clicked right away. The rest is history!
What type of patients do you typically see?
My typical patient is between 20 and 60 years old. Abilities range from high-level athletes/competitors to weekend warriors to anyone who wants to feel better, no matter their activity level. Most of my patients are FHF members, but I have about 40% who aren’t. The most common areas I treat are necks, shoulders, backs and knees, but for a variety of reasons. In most cases, there’s not a single trauma. Dysfunction slowly develops over time with overuse/repetitive motion, imbalances and poor movement/compensation patterns. It’s like wearing a hole in a sock: You don’t know it’s happening until it does, and that’s when symptoms start.
Describe your approach to PT.
I like to think of my approach to PT as holistic/integrative where I focus on getting to the root of the problem versus just treating the symptoms. Sometimes the root can be very different from where the symptoms are located. I start every patient with a detailed evaluation: checking range of motion, strength, joint mobility, flexibility, alignment, and making note of any compensation patterns that could be contributing to the problem at hand. Based on the evaluation, I develop a treatment plan that may include various manual/hands-on techniques (dry needling, joint/soft tissue mobilization, muscle energy technique, visceral manipulation, taping, orthotic fabrication), as well as functional exercise to help correct muscle imbalances/dysfunction. All visits are about an hour and all one-on-one time, meaning it’s just my patient and myself. Patients don’t have to share time with others. It's very individualized care.
What are some of the benefits of working with you?
The benefit is my unique approach to PT, with the detailed evaluations, manual techniques and exercise selection, as well as my background experience.
Dry needling has become much more popular; however, I’ve been doing it now for 12 years. Therefore, I’ve had lots of time to perfect technique and understand the best approach/application.
Because of my background in working with weightlifters, I received my USA Weightlifting certification in order to fully understand the specific techniques required for Olympic weightlifting and common injuries that can be associated. My observations in the fitness world then led me to receive my certification in pelvic floor rehabilitation. That area can be overlooked in traditional PT settings, but it’s a crucial part of our core training. Everyone has a pelvic floor, men and women, that needs to work properly for optimal core function.
Long story short, I believe in doing as much of a variety of continuing education as possible in order to stay current, increase the toolbox and help as many people as possible.
Anything else you want potential patients to know?
It’s fun! I mean, the reason people generally come see me isn’t fun — they’re usually in pain (which is not a prerequisite, by the way), but I try to make it as enjoyable as possible. I love what I do! I truly enjoy working with people and hearing their stories. Helping them feel better, teaching them how to manage their symptoms, and how to progress in order to get back to doing what they love is the best reward!
One more thing is that I don’t take insurance. I do this so that I can give the best care possible, without having to fit within certain insurance restrictions/regulations. The cash pay route can sound scary, but depending on your insurance plan, may actually be less expensive in the long run. Highly skilled, individualized care can lead to fewer visits required. I encourage potential patients to check for out-of-network benefits through their insurance company, in which case, they may be able to get reimbursed. I can also accept HSA/FSA and provide superbills/invoices as needed.
To learn more about Tracy and her services, visit the TRAIN Physical Therapy website and email her to get started!