Spread the Love: Reasons Why We Love PT

Valentine’s Day is here and so, too, are the last-minute flower deliveries and the box of fine chocolates for those special folks in your life. But love can extend beyond a tangible gift or two—it can be used to describe the passion for what you do. So, what better occasion to ask our PT friends and WebPT family about why they love PT? Let’s take a look at what they had to say.

Words of Love from PT Movers and Shakers

Brian Gallagher, PT, Founder and President of MEG Business Management 

What I love most about PT is the pureness of what we do and who we do it with. We are the most well-intended professional group that I know of who are able to help people achieve optimal health without the use of drugs or surgery, and that is truly something special.

What I also love about PT is the fact that within our profession you can reinvent yourself multiple times over from treating athletes to seniors to pediatrics. We have the gifts that never stop giving, because what we can do today in therapy helps you right now, but what I can teach may help you for a lifetime.

Josh Funk, DPT, Founder and CEO of Rehab 2 Perform

I love PT because of the people! Whether it is our clients, patients, or members of our team, the people continually remind me why I fell in love with this profession in college. The ability to connect with others, and impact their lives professionally—and personally—is truly special.

Eva Norman, PT, DPT, CEEAA, President and Founder of Live Your Life Physical Therapy and Wellness

I love it because it transformed my life. I was told I would never walk again, but—thanks to physical therapy—I am walking and moving with no deficits.

John Brickley, PT, MA, Vice President of Ambulatory Operations and Network Development at MedStar Health Physical Therapy

I love being a PT because I appreciate being part of the healthcare profession best positioned to dynamically change the landscape of care for many patients with a relatively wide range of injuries and limitations in their function. PT can reduce the number of steps needed for patients to obtain help, reduce discomfort, and safely improve their function. As patients enter the PT funnel, I appreciate helping patients save time, money, and steps to receive value-based care to enhance their life’s enjoyment and wellbeing. Most people want to engage in life actively, doing so for as long as possible with those they love. By thinking PT first, our patients can reach those goals! It’s a match meant to be… for the ages!

Remi Wanjiru Onifade, PT, DPT, M. Ed, CCI, CDP, Co-Founder and President of the National Association of Black Physical Therapy

I love PT. Most recently,because it is slowly doing its part among Black professionals as a movement to achieve better outcomes for our community.

John M. Woolf, MS, PT, ATC, COMT, President and CEO at Patient Success Systems, LLC

I love being a physical therapist. When the conditions are right, it activates all the right "feel good" neurochemistry! I get a consistent drip of oxytocin when authentically connecting with my patients, and consistent hits of serotonin when collaborating with patients and guiding them toward meaningful goals. 

Jaimie Edelstein, PT, DSCPT, OCS, COMT, Vice President at HSS Rehabilitation

What I love about physical therapy is that as providers we have an opportunity to instantaneously make a positive impact on a patient’s journey through injury and recovery. That is a powerful responsibility and highly rewarding.

Ryan Bean, PT, DPT, OCS, OMPT, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, Flint PT Department

The reason I love PT is our patients. I get to help people when they are going through a tough time and provide opportunities and treatments to help improve their pain, movement, and quality of life. Better yet, I get to see the looks on my patients’ faces when we finally reach a goal, no matter how small it may be.

Nick Patel, PT, DPT, Executive Director at APTQI

I love PT because we get to spend more time with patients than most providers.

Kendell M. Jno-Finn, PT, DPT, President of M3 Endeavors

I love PT because it allows me to do what I was born for… I get to motivate, support, and inspire entire communities!

Jay Cherok, PT, DPT, Cert. MSKUS, President and COO at Summit Physical Therapy, Inc.

I love PT because it is a profession that allows me to treat the entire person and optimize their lives through movement.

More Love from WebPT’s Own PTs

Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, ATC, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer at WebPT

I love PT because I can make a difference in patients' lives every day. With my skills, knowledge and experience, I have the ability to make a significant impact on people's quality of life by reducing pain, increasing functional capabilities, and preventing future injury through education.

Tim Mahoney, PT, DPT, Dip. MDT, Member Value Representative at WebPT

PTs inspire, educate, and problem solve at the highest level every day. They lead with compassion and empathy, and give everything they have to improve the lives of others. What’s not to love?

Liz Heckmuller, PT, DPT, Product Marketing Manager at WebPT

What I love most about rehab therapists is that they are true partners in healing. They meet patients at some of their lowest and darkest moments. Therapists enter the arena, accompanying patients, to lift and climb out together. That partnership brings guidance, solace, and hope in situations most wouldn't want to go through alone. 

Ryan Giebel, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT/DN, Content Marketing Specialist at WebPT

With the ever-growing desire for patients to live better and feel good doing so, right now is an exciting time to be a PT. Through our expertise as movement specialists, I can think of no other profession that is better suited and equipped to improve the lives of every patient and client with whom we come in contact.

Why do you love PT so much? Drop us a line or two in the comments section below, and tell us why. It is good to feel appreciated and we all could do for a little extra love these days, so feel free to share. And if you are looking for more ways to spread the love, check out initiatives like Choose PT, or get involved with local state chapters and the APTQI to help increase the number of lives PTs can touch.