Physical Therapy In Your Home
Sergio Florian
Owner and operator of Wellness Physical Therapy
Where did you receive your schooling and training?
I received my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Loma Linda University in California.
How long have you been a physical therapist?
Since 2006, and Wellness Physical Therapy has been operating since 2009.
What got you interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy?
I became interested in physical therapy because, as an athlete, it suited my lifestyle and also would allow me to help people. I feel I made the right choice. It’s an extremely rewarding career.
What makes Wellness PT different from other physical therapy practices?
Wellness PT is different because it’s a fully private-pay therapy service. Not bound by insurance caps or restrictions, clients have access to as much physical therapy as they want and need. We operate seven days a week at a time that is convenient for clients in their own homes islandwide.
What conditions do you primarily treat?
I specialize in treating neurological conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury and brain injuries. I also have a lot of experience with orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. But one of the most rewarding aspects is working with seniors in their own homes. We specialize in helping to maintain their independence through balance, flexibility and strength-training exercises.
What is your goal with Wellness PT?
My goal with Wellness PT is to provide affordable private-pay physical therapy for those who need more than just the six to eight visits a year covered by insurance. For example, someone who has suffered a stroke ― in order to recover to their fullest potential, they need daily attention and reinforcement. We provide individualized and personalized care that goes beyond insurance coverage. We get to know our clients really well and they become part of our ohana.
When you bring your mobile services to someone, do you use props or is it all exercise-based?
We usually bring an exercise table and any equipment we need, like weights or bands, to each client’s home.
Do you work solo or do you have a staff?
Wellness PT works with assistants islandwide to make sure we can meet the demands of each client.
What is the biggest challenge you face with the work you do?
The challenge with this service is being able to meet the demands of each client and help them reach their ultimate goal. For some it’s to walk again, for others it’s to remain active and maintain their independence. Whatever the goal, we strive to help our clients achieve this.
Do you have a philosophy behind the work you do?
My philosophy is simple: Treat everyone the same. I am an athlete who trains and competes at a high level. I bring that same discipline and intensity when I challenge every client ― it doesn’t matter whether they are an athlete or have quadriplegia. In order to reach your goals, you must do what it takes. There are no shortcuts.
Can you say something more about your background as an athlete and its relationship to your physical therapy practice?
I’m one of the top triathletes in the state. That influences my philosophy in how I go about helping folks with their goals. This coming year I’ll be competing in several Ironman events and hope to qualify for XTERRA and Kona World Championships. I started getting serious about triathlons about four years ago. A friend convinced me to do an off-road triathlon. I did well and ended up earning a slot to the prestigious XTERRA World Championships on Maui. From then on, I became committed to improving my fitness and trying to compete at a higher level every year. I changed my diet and lost 30 pounds. Eating right not only helped me lose weight, but also gave me more energy. After a few years I knew I could do better, so I hired a triathlon coach.
I quickly learned that there are no shortcuts to achieving your goals, especially mine. I put the time and hard work into training. I trained more than 20 hours a week sometimes. I became a student, learning everything I could about the sport. All that hard work paid off last season with four overall triathlon wins and a bike sponsorship. My success in triathlon has directly impacted my work as a physical therapist. I learned that the same principles and training techniques elite athletes use also can be applied to any client, even those with disabilities.
Anything else you’d like to mention?
Despite being an athlete and physical therapist, I don’t cater to just athletes. We will work with anyone in any physical condition, making their lives better through physical movement and exercise. Our client age range is from 16 years old to 97 years old. I think we all can agree that physical activity is extremely important for wellbeing, and those with any type of disability, confined to a chair or bed, are no exception. It may sound cliched, but I started Wellness PT to try to help people, especially those with disabilities who need the extra care.
For more information, call 673-0017 or visit wellnesshi.com.
