Will Ingerly PT, DPT

What do you want people learn from their sessions?

Every session is an opportunity for my patient to gain a greater understanding of their

condition’s typical progression relative to their own bodies ability to heal. I want them to become
empowered to consider their specific physical/mental/emotional circumstances as a point of
reference in their healing journey and not the the obstacle or endpoint that they often do. I want
them to learn and understand (at least at a level appropriate for their learning style and capacity)
the mechanics of the specific techniques and exercises that I employ as medicine. Finally, I want
them to understand their body’s current and possible capabilities. Ultimately to expand their
perception of what they are capable of.

Do you think there is a need for more physical therapist for the future?

According to a report published by the United states Census Bureau, as the generations continue
to retire into the future, the relative age of our population will increase. Meaning there will be
steadily larger and larger elderly populations compared with those of an age capable of caring for
them. What this means is that it will be necessary to be stronger, more functional and mobile for
as long as possible in order to unburden the working aged population. Therefore the need for
skilled practitioners to guide, help and heal those people will rise relative to the aging
populations numbers. The nature of skilled healthcare especially hands on care, can not be
automated as other industries will certainly become so yes, there will continue to be a need. “In
2050, the population aged 65 and over is projected to be 83.7 million, almost double its
estimated population of 43.1 million in 2012.”

What do most people come in for? (what kind of injuries?)

Physical Therapists can work in a variety of settings and depending on the local demographics,
they can work with very generalized populations or very specific. We are employed in hospitals,
in-patient facilities (extended care) and out-patient facilities (the patients come to use). I work in
an out-patient orthopedic environment, as opposed to a neurological, pediatric or cardiac
population. Between our two clinics we see a wide spectrum of orthopedic conditions such as
mild to severe back/neck/extremity pain whether acute or chronic. We treat people preparing to
have surgery or immediately following surgery as well as further down the road of recovery for
return to sport or work training. Michigan is also a “direct access” state meaning if someone
believes their pain is musculoskeletal (having to do with muscles and bones), they can come
directly to us without a physician’s referral. Therefore we often need to screen patients for more
sinister medical causes of their pain, in order to refer them to an appropriate medical practitioner.
Also, there are often patterns in the seasons of people hurting themselves a curtain way such as
slip and fall injuries in the winter.

What new technology or research has made physical therapy more efficient?

Physical Therapy prioritizes the creation and use of updated and relevant research in all areas of
diagnosis, treatment and disease progression. We work largely in an Evidence Based Practice
(EBP) environment, in order to alway push the envelope on the effectiveness and efficiency of
medical management. New technologies are developed or modified every year, too numerous to
describe. A skilled clinician will always keep an eye out for any technology or technique/practice
that comes up which may seem helpful in reviewing, researching or utilizing for the benefit of
our patients.

​ ow life changing can physical therapy be for a patient?

H
It’s completely a case by case basis. People come to us from all walks of life, all ages, maturity
levels, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. A person has to be willing to learn, change
and grow for it to take place. This is the real work of the PT, recognizing at what point in the
spectrum of susceptibility to your message they are. For some therapy is meant to play out over
many years, where they grow/heal/learn a little each year until they have a breakthrough. For
others, they are ready for change and all they need is a push, some encouragement and the tools
to take their situation to the next level. Some people come motivated to learn, others need
convincing and still other don’t want to grow or change. My goal is to help everyone in anyway I
can but also to accept that I can only provide the information, ultimately they must use it.

What do you find most challenging about the job? What do you like most about it?
Easily the most challenging aspect of my work is the amount of documentation and additional
paperwork that is necessary in order to care for our patients. There are some good reasons to
document session to session e.g. to track progress, communicate between practitioners,
protecting oneself legally and to justify the need for care as well as reimbursement (we have to
be paid too). Insurance companies however have a financial incentive to make our jobs more
difficult so that they pay less for the care of their policyholders so as to increase the profits from
those contracts. Hopefully this will change for the better in the future.

I personally, most enjoy seeing a person grow. I feel truly gifted with the honor of sharing some
small part of that process with them. It’s a wonderful thing to feel the gratitude of someone
you’ve helped. That last, thankful, firm handshake as they are discharged from my care, makes
every struggle feel worth it.
Julianne Smith PT, DPT, OMPT, TPI

What do you want people learn from their sessions?

I want them to learn how to manage pain, balance body, understand body process and themselves

Do you think there is a need for more physical therapist for the future?

Yes, as healthcare changes there will be a need for more care to offset cost of surgery and in the
future there will be more preventative ways to prevent surgery

What new technology or research has made physical therapy more efficient?

Technology like computers have made documentation easy

What do most people come in for? (what kind of injuries?)

Back Pain, acl, shoulder, and hip, foot, rotator cuff

How life changing can physical therapy be for a patient?

Patient couldn't walk without pain and by the end of pt she could take care of self after 4 days of
week. Pt can take pain away from daily life.

What do you find most challenging about the job? What do you like most about it?

See progress and change. See people for months and weeks and how they progress. Hate
documentation