9th grade- It was the final game before varsity basketball playoffs. I came down from a rebound, rolled my ankle badly and could not walk off the court. I had sprained my ankle several times before, but this was different, I couldn't put weight on my foot.
A few weeks went by filled with x-rays, MRI's and doctors appointments. The words "You need surgery" exited the orthopedics mouth. I was heartbroken, I could no longer compete in the sports I loved and was forced to sit on the sideline until the following fall season.
It turned out to be a blessing. I was exposed to Physical Therapy. I did get better, continued playing soccer, basketball and lacrosse throughout high school and went on to play college athletics as well.
I was fortunate enough to have an amazing Physical Therapist who helped get me back on the field. From that point on I knew I wanted to help others just as he had helped me.
Why Powerful?
During senior year of high school we were assigned an economics project to create a business. (Thanks Mr. Case!... Shout out to all of South's wonderful Staff!)
I came up with "Powellful Physical Therapy"... see what I did there?
My goal was to provide patients with high quality care to help them recover and achieve their goals....Who knew that this project would one day become a reality.
The Struggles of Standard Care:
While working in outpatient orthopedics, I was finally living my dream of being a Physical Therapist. But I began to sense a substantial defect throughout the health care system, including patient’s insurances and how they dictated and defined the treatment plan for an individual... despite not knowing anything about the patient at all. I noticed my patients not returning at times they should either due to high co-payments, too high deductibles they were responsible for, or the patients’ insurance denying them more sessions. The whole process was confusing for both patients and providers, not knowing what the bill would look like after several treatments and the high amount patients would still owe.
I began to realize that I was unable to treat my patients with the optimal care, not for lack of trying, but due to large, corporate entities’ protocols and insurance hurdles. I was getting triple and quadruple booked with my patients and often times found myself saying to them, “I wish I had more time with you”.
I thought endlessly about how I can change my impact and the routine in which patients just assume they had to take. Suddenly, I realized—a private pay practice would give my patients the optimal care and individualized protocols that they need to get better in the least amount of time possible. With the ‘middle-man’ (insurance companies) out of the way, there will never be a surprise bill. I am able to resume excellent, one-on-one patient care with positive, quicker outcomes and better results.
How Powerful Physical Therapy Evolved:
The decision was made, and my dream of putting the patient first, always, turned into the reality and mission behind Powerful Physical Therapy. Here, it is my goal and my purpose to continue to expand and provide optimal results in the least amount of time. As Powerful Physical Therapy continues to grow through the community, it is my underlying objective, responsibility, and driven pursuit towards providing patients with a new gold standard of patient care and health. Powerful Physical Therapy stands by the fact that patients deserve a completely hassle-free and up-front approach, one-on-one individualized care, faster outcomes and POWERFUL results!
I couldn't have done it alone. Thank you to all who have helped and guided me along the way. To my loving family, supportive friends, coaches, teachers, colleagues, peers, mentors and most importantly, my patients. Watching you succeed fuels me and reminds me why I love being YOUR Physical Therapist.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cat Powell
Owner/Founder of Powerful Physical Therapy, PLLC
