Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Wong. He and his team share their story with us below:
In 1986, twin brothers Brian and Barry Wong set out with the philosophy to treat each patient with the same care, compassion and concern as they would their own family. This core value was the foundation of building their practice at State-of-the-Art Physical Therapy in Orange County. What started out as a small, two-treatment table, one physical therapist office has expanded to the large thriving nine physical therapist facility with the ability to assist hundreds of patients a week with their rehabilitation needs.
Today, Brian Wong remains as the sole owner of State-of-the-Art Physical Therapy in Tustin. He continues to incorporate the same traditional values that launched the business over 30 years ago which is the cornerstone to providing quality individualized physical therapy. Brian leads a team of dedicated and highly skilled physical therapists whose philosophy to patient care mirrors his own; “Treat patients the same way you would treat a member of your own family.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were a few struggles along the way. For example, many of my early business deals were formed the “Jersey Boys” way. Just as Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio started their partnership with a “handshake deal”, my word was my bond. However, I quickly found out that not everyone had the same integrity. My first company was taken from me the night before opening the doors of the business when the physician that I “handshake partnered with” chose to find his own physical therapist to work the clinic. He had stolen my ideas, my concepts for pioneering a new style of physical therapy practice…something not done anywhere in the US; opening up a physical therapy clinic within a health club, as physical therapy practices were typically stand-alone clinics or commonly associated with hospitals and doctors’ groups.
Over the past 34 years, our business has flourished even during difficult times (i.e., recessions, COVID-19) because of our business model of treating our patients like family. Unlike many who have changed their business model to fit the dwindling economic reimbursement in our industry, we continue to provide the finest of physical therapy care: by treating 1-2 patients each hour instead of 4-5 patients each hour; by only employing physical therapists to see patients rather than utilizing aides or technicians to increase profitability; by treating one patient at a time and not juggling between 3 patients at the same time. We take the time with each patient to properly care for their physical needs and to listen and empathize with their life situation and experience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about State-of-the-Art Physical Therapy?
The primary difference between my company and those around us is that we spend more time with our patients. Rather than seeing 4-5 patients per hour, each therapist sees 1-2 patients per hour to allow for quality time as well as quantity time with each patient. Imagine being able to see your doctor for an entire dedicated hour, being able to tell your doctor all of your concerns and issues that you are facing in a relaxed, non-rushed setting. That is what we offer.
Our physical therapists treat each patient, one on one from the start of their appointment until the end of their appointment. We have a strong emphasis on manual therapy rather than handing a patient a sheet of exercises they can perform on their own. We guide our patients step by step along the way, critiquing and correcting the performance of the exercises to ensure proper biomechanics.
We offer the latest in physical therapy modalities such as: Class IV Laser Therapy and the AlterG Treatmill that allows a patient to walk or run at a percentage of their body weight. We have the ability to treat nearly every condition and every age: from pediatric patients to geriatric patients; from pelvic floor physical therapy and neurologic physical therapy to our primary specialty orthopedic physical therapy.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Word of mouth networking has been our model for success for growing our business referrals. Our satisfied patients spread the word about our unique physical therapy facility to their friends, neighbors, relatives and friends.
We have mentored several physical therapy students through our clinical internship program. We are currently affiliated with the UCSF/SFSU Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Northwestern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, and Plymouth State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
Pricing:
- Initial evaluation: $125
- 60 min Follow up appt with a physical therapist: $125
- 30 min Follow up appt with a physical therapist: $125
- 30 min AlterG Treadmill training: $25
- 10 min Class IV Laser Therapy treatment: $25
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sotapt.com
- Instagram: @stateoftheartphysicaltherapy
- Facebook: Stateoftheart Physicaltherapy
- Twitter: @SOTAPT
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/state-of-the-art-physical-therapy-tustin
