With three kids ages 5 and younger at home, physical therapist and clinic director at Therapeutic Associates West Linn Physical Therapy Patrick Bridge is a busy man who, along with his wife, treasures family adventures. But while backyard soccer, digital chess and escapes to the coast bring him joy, Patrick is also extremely passionate about his role as a PT and serving the local community. He prioritizes patient care and always works to ensure everyone he treats achieves the most optimal outcome.
Q&A with Patrick Bridge
Q: What inspired you to become a physical therapist?
In high school, like a lot of us, I sustained an injury and I saw a therapist who at the time actually wasn’t with Therapeutic Associates, but later joined Therapeutic Associates, and he was amazing. I had an undiagnosed stress fracture in my ankle, and he was able to actually keep me playing through a soccer season and that was amazing – especially after the fact when I realized the injury I had, and how he was able to piece me together and tape me up to sustain my sport. I just am forever grateful. Being able to help others and keep them going as well as improve their situation, that’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.
Q: A passion for helping others is admirable. What would you say is your most valuable personal attribute when it comes to patient care?
Determination. You know, that’s probably why I like running, but I think you can also apply that to physical therapy where I just really try and go all out for all my patients.
Q: Do you have a passion project outside of work?
For the past year I’ve been tinkering with a physical therapy invention I’ve been working on, and it’s for ankle/foot conditions, so hopefully I have that roll out in the next month.
Q: When you’re not tinkering with an invention, what’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
I have three kids so I’m definitely spending some time with them. I coached my son’s soccer team, so we’ll go play in the backyard. Whether it’s soccer, basketball or bike riding, I just love to spend time with my family. We love going to the coast so if we can sneak away, we will.
Q: You played soccer, now your son plays soccer … but what’s your favorite sport?
If I had to rank my favorite sports, Gonzaga basketball is at the top. And then Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers. But my attitude, my general happiness level, fluctuates with how well Gonzaga is doing in basketball.
Q: Whether Gonzaga is winning or losing, what’s your go-to stress buster?
My favorite stress buster is probably running. Yeah, running is just something that with three kids, if I can get a couple of them down for naps. then I can just go run on the treadmill.
Q: When you’re relaxing instead of running, what’s the best show you’ve ever binge watched?
I feel like Breaking Bad always comes to the forefront, but I don’t know if that’s necessarily like the best one. I’ve watched Succession lately and that’s been a really fun one to watch.
Q: What about podcasts or books — any favorites?
Podcasts I tend to do more educational things. So, like the JOSPT podcast is really well done. And then books, Harry Potter hands down.
Q: A trip to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley aside, what if you could time travel to a real place? Where/when would you go?
I would go backwards. My grandparents, I met them later in their lives, but they had really unique lives. My grandpa on my dad’s side was a cattle rancher in Central Washington, so I’d love to just spend the day with him on the cattle ranch and just see what that’s like. And then my other grandpa on my mom’s side was a farmer in Central Washington and had an apple orchard. I’d love to just spend time with them back in the ‘50s and ‘60s to see how they did things.
Q: No cell phones back then … what’s the most used mobile app on your phone?
Definitely the chess app because my 5-year-old is obsessed with playing chess. Whenever I get home, the first thing he wants to do is just get a game in really quick. Weekdays we probably play three games a night and then on weekends we’re probably playing five to six games a day.
Q: So, a chess challenge you’d be up for, how about competing on Survivor? If you were a contestant, what one “luxury item” would you take with you?
If I were to go on Survivor, I would bring a sleeping mat. Because sleep’s important to me.
Q: What do you wish everyone knew about physical therapy?
I wish patients looked at PT as less of a trial and more of a solution because that is something I think we’re fighting quite a bit. That’s how it should be looked at, and that’s what the research bears out — PT is a solution to your pain and not a trial.
Q: What do you appreciate about working for Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy?
I like working for Therapeutic Associates because there’s so much autonomy in what I do. When I was a staff therapist, I think on my first day, my manager said, “Hey, you just need to get your patients better, and I’ll help you when you need help.” I think that has stuck with me. And I love that I have that autonomy. I think it leads to better outcomes when you have a little bit more of a free-flowing treatment plan.
We look forward to being a part of your healthcare team.
From injury recovery to movement and performance enhancement, patient success is our passion. Our therapists are committed to the application of evidence-based treatment techniques to ensure you experience the best in rehabilitation and preventative care and see progress with every visit.
