Supporting the St. Johns communities with patient-centered, compassionate care.
When someone walks through the clinic doors at Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy – St. Johns, clinic director Jennifer Kearsley not only looks forward to being able to help them as a patient, but to get to know them as a person.
“We want to make sure that people have the best experience possible here, so communication is our highest priority,” Jennifer shared. “With that comes learning about more than just what the patient’s pain is, but learning about their family, their pets, their hobbies … everything that makes them who they are.”
Because the physical therapy journey includes two to three 30- to 60-minute sessions in clinic each week during a patient’s course of care, PTs have the opportunity to really connect with those they’re treating, Jennifer explained.
“There is a lot of time for chit chat, to find out what someone did over the weekend or about something that is worrying them or is an exciting thing happening in their life. My favorite part about being a physical therapist is really getting to know my patients; it’s a really unique part of the profession.”
“We treat a wide range of patients,” Jennifer said. “From young kids with orthopedic issues such as broken bones or overuse injuries, teen and adult athletes who are rehabilitating after a sports injury or just looking to improve their performance, individuals with work-related injuries, people who are recovering from a motor vehicle accident injury, all the way up to the aging adult dealing with the aches and pains that come along with age.”
No matter what brings someone to the clinic, the St. Johns team approaches patient care with curiosity and an individualized treatment plan, essential components to discovering and addressing the underlying cause of injury or disfunction.
When a patient first comes in, they can expect to have a one-on-one visit with their PT for about an hour, which provides time to be thoroughly listened to. Their initial examination includes evaluation of the system as a whole, not just of the body part that is injured or causing pain.
“There’s no cookie-cutter treatment plan, not even for a certain injury,” Jennifer emphasized. “We take into account what we picked up in the evaluation, what the patient wants to work on – their lifestyle and goals, their time constraints and what space and equipment they have at home.”
It is important for patients to take charge and work on things on their own at home between clinic visits, she explained, adding that ensuring each patient is empowered with the necessary education around their condition and plan for recovery is therefore a top priority.
“It’s important to offer a detailed explanation of what is going on and the things that are affecting the injury or causing pain, as well as what the patient can expect from us,” Jennifer said.
If a patient has been referred from a primary care physician, they can be confident that their PT team will facilitate communication to ensure the whole care team is on board with the treatment plan. Not only will their therapist work with their doctor, but patients are also involved in creating their plan of care through shared decision making.
“The majority of patients who come into this clinic are through the direct access model where they identify that they have an injury, an ache or pain, or something just is not working as well as they want it to and they call for an appointment.”
Direct access allows people to choose a physical therapist that fits their needs without the requirement of a physician’s referral or a prescription. Most insurances today cover direct access, and the team at St. Johns can help patients navigate their benefits or determine what needs to be done if they happen to need a referral.
“We are in a really unique setting here in St. Johns, centrally located in the heart of the community,” Jennifer said. “Our accessibility is great, we’re so close to home for people who live in all directions around us. People here like to stay local for their services, so it’s been nice to be able to provide that extra health care, or even self-care, for people without them having to leave their little bubble.”
The new facility is spacious and equipped with a variety of cardio equipment and a range of exercise tools designed to meet each patient’s individual needs. Multiple treatment rooms offer a quiet, private space for one-on-one consultation, education and treatment. Two walls boast floor-to-ceiling windows.
“The light the windows bring in just uplifts everybody’s mood,” Jennifer reflected. “And our plants love it as well so that’s a plus.”
The uplifting atmosphere and patient-centered care at Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy – St. Johns is designed to support patients throughout their PT journey and to empower them with the tools to help themselves once they’ve completed their course of care.
“We want people to have a clear understanding of what helped them improve so they know what kind of things they can fall back on if they have little flare ups here and there,” Jennifer said. “We also want everyone to know that our doors are open if anything comes up and they can stop by if they have a question or face another injury or if someone in their family is hurt. We are here and we are happy to see them and help them through whatever may happen down the road.”
We look forward to being a part of your healthcare team.
Our experts are committed to providing effective, efficient, and compassionate care to help you live a pain-free, active life. Our passion is to help every patient reach their goals on their journey to recovery and optimal performance.
