Contrary to popular belief, physical therapy is more than just applying some heat and doing a little exercise.
That’s why at HealthQuest Physical Therapy’s Oxford (53 S. Washington St.) and Orion (3009 S. Baldwin Rd.) locations, the staff is constantly striving to learn and apply new and different treatment techniques designed to make patients feel and function better.
According to Oxford location owner Dan Garr, one of those new treatment techniques is designed to ‘get to the root cause of pain,? be it a chronic condition or a sudden, onset type. ‘This technique is about finding new ways to turn off nerve impulses to certain muscles along the neck, back and legs to allow relaxation, improved flexibility and a wider range of motion,? explained Garr, who’s Oxford location celebrated its third anniversary Feb 1. ‘It allows people to get through normal days a lot better.?
‘It’s pretty exciting to see the smile on someone’s face when they bend over and have instant flexibility,? he noted.
Unlike many of their competitors, you will always see a physical therapist, not an assistant, when you visit a HealthQuest, according to Phil Krause, who co-owns the seven-year-old Orion location with Dan Cady, MSPT, OCS.
‘That’s a pretty big selling point,? Krause said. ‘It’s what separates us from others.?
Community is very important to HealthQuest that’s why the company’s going to be offering educational seminars in Oxford and Orion beginning this year.
Garr said the hour-long seminars will focus on topics such as back pain, posture, women’s health issues, smoking cessation, obesity, etc.
‘Whatever may help the whole community become healthier,? Garr said.
Oxford Twp. Parks and Recreation will host the seminars at a location to be determined. So far, the topics include Women’s Health (April 8), Aging with Ease (May 6) and Osteo-Arthritis: Dealing with Arthritis (June 10).
Orion seminars will take place in the Friendship Park Meeting Room at 6:30 p.m. on April 7 (Control Your Physical Destiny) and April 24 (Aging with Ease).
Besides educating people, Garr said the seminars will be used as a vehicle to encourage people to come in and take advantage of HealthQuest’s free consultations, which they’ve offered right from the beginning.
‘If you’ve got a sore back, shoulder or knee, we’ll look at it free of charge,? Garr said. ‘We’ll point you in the right direction as to how to best get the problem taken care of.?
A satisfied patient is always the Number One goal at HealthQuest. ‘We want every patient to leave happy,? said Krause, noting that 95 percent of their patient surveys are returned with positive remarks and ratings.
Krause attributed such high marks to the staff, which always delivers hands-on, highly personalized service like you’d get in a mom-and-pop type of store.
Garr noted that there’s ‘nothing fake? about how the staff communicates and empathizes with patients.
‘It’s not forced. They’re not putting on an act,? he said. ‘What you see is what you get.?
A lot of HealthQuest’s business comes from repeat patients. ‘Once a patient gets into the HealthQuest system, they stay with us,? Garr said. ‘They come to us for an ankle, then return for other areas of the body. It’s a sign we’re going in the right direction.?
HeathQuest also gets plenty of referrals via word-of-mouth when patients tell their family and friends how great they were treated. They also count on referrals from doctors.
‘Our goal is to be the Number One referral source for local doctors,? Garr said.
But HealthQuest isn’t all physical therapy.
Krause said they’ve also branched out into orthotics. ‘We make shoe inserts that help improve the alignment of the pelvis, hip, knee and ankle when the foot hits the ground,? he explained. ‘We’re doing more and more.?
HealthQuest physical therapists view the entire lower complex of the body as a whole and use orthotics to improve patients? performance in everyday life and sports activities.
For those looking to get in shape or just feel better, HealthQuest does offer gym memberships, which offer ‘a lot of one-on-one time with staff,? according to Garr.
‘We always keep an eye on people to make sure they’re doing an exercise correctly when it comes to things like posture and technique,? he explained.
To encourage physical activity in people of all ages, the Orion HealthQuest frequently helps Lake Orion High School athletes and sponsors youth sports teams, while the Oxford location sponsors the twp. park and rec’s senior softball team and local little leagues.
For more information or to schedule a free consultation call (248) 393-7707 for the Orion HealthQuest, (248) 236-0035 for the Oxford HealthQuest or visit www.hqpt.com.