Tell us a little about yourself? What inspired you to become a physical therapist, and what motivates you to continue in the field?
Hi, my name is Deborah. I am a physical therapist by day and a friend, daughter, sister, aunt, food and tv show/movie enthusiast by night. I have been a physical therapist for 5 years now and counting and my true passion for physical therapy began at a young age before I even knew about the profession. I had an older brother who used to play soccer and even at a young age, he used to come to me to help him with muscle soreness and tightness that he would develop from playing. Unbeknownst to me then, what I thought was just helping my brother so he would leave me alone became the spark for a flame that turned into a lifelong career that I am enjoying today. My biggest motivator as a physical therapist as cliche as it may sound are the people that I get the privilege of working with. I truly have a heart and a love for people. It breaks my heart to see people in pain and even when I didn’t know what career I was going to go into, I always knew that it had to involve helping people. So, as a physical therapist, gaining the knowledge on how to help people move better, be in less pain, and enjoy a better quality of life brings me great joy and is my greatest motivational influence..
What sets you apart from other physical therapists? What is your unique approach or philosophy?
Apart from my qualifications in orthopedic manual therapy and trigger point dry needling, I think one of the biggest things that sets me apart is my approach to treatment by way of curating the treatment to each patient’s needs, prioritizing soft tissue health and pliability, as well as creating an environment that is enjoyable where people feel safe and comfortable.
How do you stay current with the latest advancements and techniques in physical therapy? Are you learning anything new right now?
Physical therapy is a field that is constantly evolving and improving for optimal and better patient care so it is imperative to always be open to learning. I am an avid learner and I am always open to learning new information especially if it will improve the way I treat and lead to better results for my patients. Right now, one of the things I am currently learning about are all the great ways shockwave treatment can be utilized in the practice and with different diagnosis for improved patient outcomes.
What are your goals for the future, both professionally and personally, in the field of physical therapy?
My goals for the future include continuing to advance in my craft and evolving into the best physical therapist that I can be. This includes taking continuing education courses that will improve my skills and teach me new ones as well as delving into research on new and upcoming forms of treatment. Personal goals for me include continuing to foster the great relationships that I have in my life, traveling more to see all that the world has to offer, being a great aunt to the cutest niece ever (an award presented by yours truly) and being impactful in my community and to those around me.
How do you maintain work life balance and what do you do for fun?
One of the things that I do that brings me great joy outside of work is going to church. I love being involved in my church and in a space with great community and fellowship. The atmosphere is warm and loving and it’s the best environment to be in. Being there fills my heart and shifts my mindset to something greater and it invigorates me for the new week. Outside of church, I love spending time with my family (they’re my favorite people), going out to eat with great company, traveling, hiking, enjoying a good book or watching a good movie, amongst many other things. Feel free to ask me about more of my hobbies at your next visit. 🙂
