That's right, what was once called just Spooner Physical Therapy has become Spooner Physical Therapy and Wellness, INC (SPTW). There's a new logo, a new staff, a new mission statement and a new owner, and all in the same conveniently located building on the frontage road at 314 Service Road, east on Highway 70 in Spooner.
Erik Larson graduated from the College of St. Scholastica with a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy, but his calling started when, as an only child whose mother needed physical help, he learned to care and assist early in life and it's still his goal; to treat every patient as more than just a number or a dollar sign, thereby building a lasting relationship with them.
He started working with the five united physical therapy sites in 2014 that included Rice Lake, Spooner, Hayward, Turtle Lake and Clear Lake. This year he had the opportunity to buy not only the Hayward site, but Spooner also.
He started making changes immediately.
This father of four, who is originally from the area, looks at the business of wellness in its entirety, not just physical therapy, even though post-surgical therapy makes up forty percent of his business.
They also see athletes from middle school through high school due to sports injuries and they are now providers for the new and local, Musky Hockey team
Weekend warriors, ages 30 to 70, make up a quarter of their business because these are the intrepid people not used to physical labor who overdo on the weekends and either sprain something badly, or have twisted something or gotten something out of whack.
A small percentage of their clientele is made up of older people who suffer from vertigo and their balance and lifestyle struggles because of it.
It might be just a small percentage of their business, but in the new spirit of wellness, SPTW and the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has created a community outreach through the Stepping On program where seniors who are at risk of falling, or have a fear of falling or who have fallen on or more times can attend this strength and balance exercise program. Important factors are also discussed such as their vision, medications and even footwear. Classes will be held once a month in their building.
Another reach-out program is through Individual Education Plans where SPTW is working with the Spooner Schools. This program is where Erik and a PT assistant visit the schools on a regular basis in order to evaluate, create a plan and then perform on-site PT with special students.
Added to that, there is already a yoga class held in the SPTW building for beginners held every Thursday night from 6 to 7p and it's open to all ages with each class fee of $5 going to the food pantry at the end of the year.
Speaking of the food pantry, last year alone SPTW gave over 1000 pounds of food as another part of their community outreach.
“Our business plan is not a short-term thing, we plan to be here for the long term and want to be considered part of the community by allowing the public to use our building for meetings or classes and we welcome suggestions as to what people would like us to add to what we already offer: like hiring a dietitian whose services might include doing a weight loss clinic, or finding speakers with information and programs that will benefit the wellness of the community, or classes in other oriental arts.”
Additionally, Erik is available to speak for various groups, large or small, on all aspects of wellness.
Their first priority is providing a great patient experience starting at the door when someone says Good Morning or Good Afternoon before you even get to the desk and all the staff of seven treat you as though they are glad you came with an attitude of 'how can we serve you?'
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Michele Jeske, has recently joined the team, to help meet the growing needs of our community and their thriving clinic. She brings her own passion for helping others learn about their bodies and empowering them to be able to work towards their individual goals.
The second priority of SPTW is their building. They have a beautiful Up North look with parking directly outside the front door. They also make every effort to schedule patients within 24-48 hours of their physician's referrals and walk-ins are welcome at no charge and will be seen the same day.
Not only do patients receive the best of services, but the staff has a commitment to provide the necessary education to prevent future injury/re-injury by offering tools to live life to its fullest.
Even their logo photo is new. If you remember, on the old one, there is a picture of a person that is more of a blob than a person, with two heart monitor lines on either side. If you're medically inclined, you've already noticed that according to those lines, the patient's condition would read as bad, to very bad, to almost dead.
Their new logo is more indicative of their new way of thinking, this guy's healthy and happy and going places because he feels great.
The new business is more than a business and they don't want to keep the beautiful building to themselves, but want the community to use it during the clinic's off hours.
Whatever questions you may have, from wanting to know if you have to see your doctor first or you can go directly to SPTW, or which insurance they take, to how do you get on the calendar to use the building, the front desk coordinator, Peggy Jones-Matz can answer them all.
Other great staff are Christine Perlick, Janelle Gordon, Jennifer Ehle, Kirsten Henk, and Kathleen Jerry, all there to serve your needs and answer your questions.
The name on the sign will be changing, but the information is still correct, so get in touch soon.
