Victory Performance and Physical Therapy is owned and operated by Santo Rivera. Unlike traditional physical therapy, Victory Performance customizes treatment based on a person’s condition and goals, not some cookie-cutter repetitive exercises. Although most physical therapy is prescribed for a set period of time, such as 3 days a week for 4 weeks; Victory Performance and Physical Therapy doesn’t put a timeline on a person’s healing. Their goal is to get a person active again without them having to consider surgical intervention. They prepare their patients for continued success, even after they choose to discontinue treatment, by clearly communicating with their patient about their needs and taking every opportunity to not just treat but also to educate. Patientknowlogy had the opportunity to speak with Santo about his unique program.
Why did you choose your profession? What makes you so passionate about it?
My team and I are blessed to be able to literally transform people’s lives every day. We help people get back to being active and able to do the activities that they love. Oftentimes, people don’t realize the freedom and opportunities they have to do the things they love until they are no longer able to do them because of pain and/or injury. We help people get back to being able to do the things that make them feel like themselves!
What sets Victory Performance PT apart from other physical therapy?
I built this business to first and foremost give people time and to offer them value before we ask for anything or try to sell anything. We are here to help people make better decisions about their health.
Most PT is recommended in short periods of time (i.e. 6 weeks or 6 months). Does Victory Performance PT offer the same approach? Why or Why not?
Everyone at every stage of life can benefit from a professional that is able to help them with their health and fitness goals. I believe physical therapists are uniquely qualified to be that professional. Now, everyone’s needs are different, so this might look like someone prescribing exercises, or someone just holding them accountable to doing the things they have set out to do to mitigate their injury risk and optimize their performance. To equate it to something, I may know how to use a hammer, but that doesn’t mean I can build a house successfully.
In what ways do you prepare your clients to keep up their progress after they are no longer under your treatment?
Conversations about what will happen when they are done with their plan of care.
Education on how being compliant will keep them aligned and continuing to move toward the goals they have set out for themselves.
Audio and visual aids of what they should continue to be doing.
How important is patient education to the success of their recovery?
Depends on whether or not the patient is interested in the information. Everyone is different—some just want to be told what to do, not why. While others want ALL the info they can get.
Do you feel this is a good substitute for more invasive treatments? If so, why?
Most invasive treatments can’t be undone, but some are necessary, unfortunately. In a lot of cases, PT can be the solution to the problem with decreased risk of adverse effects.
From the perspective of a PT, do you feel patient communication can have an impact on their recovery?
Of course. How health care professionals communicate (or don’t communicate) will and does play a huge role in patient outcomes. Experiences drive our life. A bad server at a restaurant can ruin the whole meal.. even if it was the best food in the world.
As a PT, how can a patient/client help you better understand the issues that they may be experiencing in order to properly direct their treatment
Well, first the PT has to take the time to listen to the client. Then, they have to actually care what they are saying. After that, the responsibility really falls on the PT to use that info to help their patient.
What are some things you wish your clients were aware of concerning their bodies?
I wish they fully understood the value of taking care of their health. We don’t get second chances with our bodies (for the most part, and at least not yet!)
What are some misconceptions that people have about your profession?
All we do is give people ultrasounds, ice, heat, and electrical stimulation.
Tell us something that you feel people need to be informed about.
Don’t hand over the responsibility of your health to anyone else… EVER.
For more healthful tips, instructional videos, and information from Victory Performance and Physical Therapy please visit:
www.victoryperformancept.com
www.instagram.com/victoryperformancept
www.facebook.com/victoryperformancept
www.twitter.com/vctryperformpt
www.youtube.com/channel/UCsxmMtjjKhIKHjsni6XINng