Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Taylor and Jennifer Wheeler
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Melissa: My journey into the world of physical therapy began back in high school when I had the opportunity to shadow a physical therapist for a week. As an enthusiastic runner, both in high school and college, I faced my fair share of minor injuries. But instead of letting those setbacks hold me back, I discovered a passion for helping others navigate similar challenges. There’s something incredibly rewarding about being part of someone else’s recovery journey.
I took my love for movement and healing to The Ohio State University, where I proudly earned my master’s degree in Physical Therapy. Fast forward 20 years later and I can honestly say it’s been nothing short of an incredible adventure!
Jennifer: My first job out of high school was working in different departments at the local hospital. I spent a few years performing office work in various departments including the laboratory, cardiovascular services, pre-admission testing, and outpatient orthopedics. In outpatient orthopedics, I served as support staff to a group of orthopedic surgeons. That job made me realize that I wanted to be part of a team that made a difference with getting people better, feeling good, returning to sports and normal activities. I spent 10 years practicing as a physical therapist assistant with an associate’s degree. It was very rewarding to make a difference in people’s everyday lives. Eventually, I became frustrated that I did not get to build a relationship with my patients from day one, so I went back to college and received my master’s degree in Physical Therapy. This degree allowed me to initiate a treatment plan on day one as the evaluating therapist and gave me more autonomy to map out my treatment plan with the patient.
As an adjunct staff at a local college, I enjoyed mentoring physical therapist assistants and assisting with lab classes. My love of mentoring made me want to pursue more leadership roles so I opened my own Physical Therapy clinic with a physical therapy company. Over the next 13 years I served as the Clinic Director and owner, and grew the clinic to lead 5 therapists and support staff. The clinic was successful and grew rapidly. After the Covid Pandemic, I decided to step down as the clinic director and become a staff therapist. This allowed me time to rethink my perspective on the ever changing roles of our profession, and my frustration with seeing a large case load. I wanted to return to an ownership role that would allow me to address issues with declining reimbursements, more insurance constraints, and spend more time with patients again. That is where I am today.
Both:
In recent years, the landscape of the physical therapy profession has undergone significant transformations. Insurance companies have drastically slashed reimbursement rates and limited the number of visits allowed, all while imposing higher out-of-pocket costs through increased deductibles and copays. This shift has led to a troubling trend: as our patient load escalated, the quality of care we could provide diminished. The result? A growing sense of frustration and burnout.
It was during this challenging period that we stumbled upon a beacon of hope—a continuing education class titled “Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT)” in October 2017. From the moment we began, it was clear that this was no ordinary course. The techniques were not only innovative but also yielded rapid results that captivated our interest. By 2019, our commitment paid off; we completed all five levels of PRRT training and proudly earned our status as Master PRRT Practitioners.
Fast forward to 2023: as the corporate world of physical therapy continued to evolve, we found ourselves contemplating a bold new venture—opening our own clinic. In November 2024, that dream became a reality with the launch of Custom Fit Physical Therapy!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Making the leap to open Custom Fit Physical Therapy was no small feat! After spending over a decade in our previous jobs, we had built a sense of security and comfort that felt hard to leave behind. But let’s be real—staying put meant sticking to the familiar, while stepping out into the unknown was both thrilling and daunting.
Imagine juggling 40-hour work weeks while trying to learn the ins and outs of starting a business in your spare time! It was like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. Every day brought new challenges, but also exciting possibilities.
So, what drove us to take this plunge? The dream of creating something truly special—a place where personalized care meets innovative therapy techniques. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but the thought of helping others on their healing journeys made every late night worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Custom Fit Physical Therapy . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Custom Fit Physical Therapy is located in Brownstown Michigan. At Custom Fit Physical Therapy, we believe that each patient’s health journey deserves a personal touch! We’re here to help everyone achieve their wellness goals.
Our one-on-one sessions ensure that patients receive a customized VIP experience tailored specifically to their needs. During the first visit, we conduct a thorough head-to-toe evaluation to uncover the root cause of any issues the patient is facing.
But it doesn’t stop there! After identifying what’s going on, we craft a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include an array of innovative techniques such as PRRT, Graston/Astym, cupping, and a customized exercise program.
With a typical physical therapy experience, the patient becomes a number in a crowded clinic and is lucky if they see the therapist for 15-20 minutes each session. Traditional therapy often means patients visit 2-3 times a week for 4-6 weeks. That’s anywhere from 8-18 visits and they don’t get the personalized attention they truly deserve.
Here’s where we come in! At our practice, we believe in the power of the one-on-one treatment. By focusing solely on the patient during their visits, we can achieve better results in fewer sessions—saving people both time and money! We accept cash, credit and some insurance plans.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Jennifer: “Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukav changed my perspective on how to understand myself and open myself up to more positive experiences, along with a greater appreciation of myself and others. Oprah Winfrey writes: “The Seat of the Soul changed the way I see myself. It changed the way I view the world. It caused a profound shift in the way I conduct all my relationships, business and personal”. I revisit this book from time to time to remind myself how I can influence and make a positive difference for the positive.
Melissa:
One book that profoundly influenced my life is “The Long Run” by Matt Long and Charles Butler. This compelling narrative serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination, illustrating that any goal can be achieved with unwavering commitment. The lessons I gleaned from this book have instilled in me a positive mindset that I strive to carry into both my professional endeavors and personal experiences. Embracing this outlook allows me to appreciate life’s nuances, fostering gratitude for even the smallest moments.
Pricing:
- Private pay $150/hour session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://customfittherapy.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564874363906
