Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Reed.
Hi Lisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California and have since worked with patients of all ages and diagnoses and a wide variety of athletes from the high school to the professional level – including elite athletes from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, AVP and USA Beach Volleyball.
My passion for the PT profession stems from my own background as a competitive athlete in both basketball and beach volleyball. I currently still compete in the AVP professional beach volleyball tour events which helps me understand the value of approaching recovery with the same diligence as one approaches practice in preparation for competition.
I started my business, The Academy Physical Therapy, in 2019 with the goal of providing physical therapy and injury prevention services that offer one-on-one evaluation and treatment of movement dysfunction. My individualized exercise programs utilize functional movements to bridge the gap between rehabilitation, injury prevention, and sports performance.
I also do some contract work at Meyer Institute of Sport in El Segundo and travel as a medical provider with USA Beach Volleyball.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I decided to start my PT business after the removal of a tumor in my left arm during a time when the functional capacity of my hand was unclear. I hoped to be able to create a niche for myself in the world of physical therapy and sports performance even if I was not capable of performing all of the manual work that I used to be able to do. Thankfully, my arm healed well and I am still able to provide both manual therapy and exercise treatments.
I did not study business in school, and therefore the majority of what I learned about business was inspired from my years spent in the restaurant and bar industry. I drew from those experiences as I learned how to mange overhead costs and create a profitable business in the PT space.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am most known for my comprehensive functional rehabilitation and exercise programs. Every patient gets a new program each session because my goal is to correct the underlying deficits in movement efficiency that ultimately manifest in pain and injury. Exercise prescription is an art in and of itself as we strive to fill the gaps in mobility, strength and movement coordination in order to meet the physical demand of each sport or activity.
As a part of my creative process, I like participating in a variety of sports and activities myself in order to better understand how the body operates in different contexts.
I have also found that having other creative outlets helps me stay fresh and inspired in my work. Outside of my PT profession I still bartend, write poetry and model.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Stay authentic – your business is your brand, and your brand is your person. People value transparency and honesty and they appreciate when you make an effort to connect with them on a personal level.
Pricing:
- Single session (1 hour ) $175
- Package of 4 sessions (1 hour each) $600
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theacademypt.com
- Instagram: @theacademypt
Image Credits
Andy Wolf, Jenny Sims
