A Problem With Delivery
The medical system and the physical therapy profession have failed to evolve. As a doctoring profession, physical therapists in Wisconsin can see patients without a referral and are trained to identify injuries with accuracy similar to sports medicine physicians. But instead of functioning as front-line providers, most PTs are still delivering therapy care designed more for the deconditioned or post-surgical patient.
When runners get injured, they are usually funneled through a process that wastes time: first, wait 1-2 months to see a physician (who may just tell you to stop running and see a PT). Then get referred to PT, where you show up weekly and spend a lot of money for basic exercises that don’t relate to your goals - oftentimes doing them next to the patient doing the same exercises after their knee replacement.
Runners are different. They're motivated, independent, and already know how to move. What they need isn’t supervision, it’s insight. They need to understand the injury, how to keep training around it, and how to allow it to heal optimally. That process doesn’t require a weekly appointment. It requires a plan, good communication, and a therapist who actually understands the sport and its demands.
Why Runners Hate PT
Typical Care Delivery
Focus on getting you out the door
Frequent visits that don’t add meaningful value
Generic, one-size-fits-all exercise programs
Unclear or confusing diagnoses
Lack of run-specific knowledge and actionable guidance
High, variable out-of-pocket costs, especially with high-deductible health plans
How I Work with Runners
Performance Rehabilitation
Focus on pain reduction, improving your running, and long-term running health
High-impact, strategic visits with deeper focus on your training goals
Clear insight into your injury and strategy to resume normal training
Deep understanding of running literature and performance science
Flat rates for all services, no surprise fees.
Why Out of Network?
In-network care doesn’t mean affordable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly half of U.S. workers have insurance plans where they’re responsible for the first $1,500–$3,000 of care they receive each year. If you’re healthy most of the time (like many runners), you’re often paying full price when you actually need help. Add in the fact that most PTs don’t specialize in working with runners, and you often end up paying more for suboptimal care.
