Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Grace Abruzzo PT, DPT.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. Grace. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I fell in love with physical therapy when I was in college at San Diego State University in the Pre-Physical Therapy Major. I was working in our program’s community fitness clinic with a girl about my age with low functioning Cerebral Palsy. She was fully dependent on her Mother for all of her needs and was not able to communicate in any way. I helped her move out of her chair and stretch for two hours per week.
It was then that I learned that I could use movement therapy to greatly impact someone’s life. I also learned that a relationship between a client and healthcare provider has the capacity and potential for strong connections and bonds like love.
I truly loved this person who could return no sentiments to me. I cared for her in a way that is similar to sisterly, but not as familial. It is a unique and special connection that is only experienced by an invested, empathic healthcare provider and client. This is not the type of provider-patient relationship that is typically represented and supported in our healthcare system.
I fully acknowledge that my professional journal is a love story. I attended a Doctoral Physical Therapy Program at Andrew Taylor Still University in Mesa, Arizona. This school encouraged and nourished my strong ties to inter-professional collaboration, holistic, individualized, integrative physical therapy practices.
As soon as I learned that physical therapy interventions uniquely support women-specific events such as childbirth, menopause, and menstrual health, I found my purpose. Upon graduation, I dove directly into working in obstetric and pelvic physical therapy. I have since attended several births, supported women in fertility, pregnancy, labor and delivery, recovery from delivery, and menopause.
I have the privilege of holding space for women navigating these sensitive transformations in life. Through this, I have learned how boundaries and love are both necessary for healing. I have learned that to learn how to move and grow through life’s challenges, you must first feel grounded, seen and heard by your provider.
To make improvements in culturally taboo topics like bladder, bowel, and sexual functioning, you must first establish safety and trust. Physical therapy is one of many modalities to facilitate health and wellness for women. The way I practice now embodies values like vulnerability, leadership, courage, empathy, and love. I am grateful for this journey and for every person I have encountered on the way.
Great, 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?
All roads have their points of disappointment, challenges, and growth. I think acknowledging the many moments of overwhelm, fear, and exhaustion is normal.
I have re-evaluated my goals and satisfaction with my role in this journey annually, and I recommit to it relentlessly because I feel it is my purpose to give back to the world in this way. I may not always be in private practice, but as of now, my passion and purpose are aligned in this project.
Some of my struggles can be abbreviated in the dissolving of a partnership, navigating self-employment while managing my own health, and adjusting to the highs and lows of the flow of income within the first few years of building a practice.
In my gratitude practice, I like to look back and see how far I have come because it is a confirmation of my resiliency and courage.
Dr. Grace Physical Therapy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I decided to call my company my name because for now, my brand deeply intertwines with my personal journey. I have found my own personal pathway of health and wellness to be paved in love and understanding. I am a woman supporting other women in womanly issues.
I apply physical therapy practices to support women in menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum recovery, bladder, bowel and sexual wellness, and in navigating menopausal changes. I am a certified specialist in both Obstetric and Pelvic Physical Therapy by the Women’s Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.
As a company, I am most proud of the little accomplishments made everyday by the partnership and collaborative efforts with my clients. Their persistence and determination absolutely motivates and encourages me. I am grateful for everyday at work.
I am fully aware that my transparency and vulnerability sets me apart from my colleagues. I find that through the sharing of my own women’s health journey, I am able to connect with my clients in a way that fosters healing.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Everyday when I fall asleep in my bed, I am grateful and proud of myself and my career.
Teaching workshops also brings me immense pride and joy.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12333 W Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90066
- Website: www.drgracept.com
- Phone: 4242538509
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @drgracept
- Facebook: @drgracept
- Twitter: @drgracept
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dr-grace-pt-los-angeles-4
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