Business Spotlight: Clinic specializes in innovative therapeutic techniques

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Paul Regnier knows what it's like to deal with a painful injury. While playing football at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, he endured his share of sprains and strains, including a painful back injury. |ret||ret||tab|

"I was 19, but I felt more like I was 91," Regnier said. "Several doctors, a physical therapist, a chiropractor and two athletic trainers worked with me, but they never addressed the root of the problem."|ret||ret||tab|

Fortunately, an assistant athletic trainer took the time to develop a specialized exercise regime for Regnier, and he recovered. The experience left a lasting impression on him, however, and Regnier went on to earn a master's degree in physical therapy from Wichita State University in Kansas.|ret||ret||tab|

Following graduation, Regnier spent a year working at a physical therapy clinic in Wellington, Kan. In 1995, he and his wife, Lisa, moved to Springfield, and he began working at a local clinic where he learned about neuromuscular therapy. |ret||ret||tab|

Pleased by the results he was seeing in his patients, Regnier began attending physical therapy seminars around the country and learned more new treatment methods. By 2000, he decided the time had come to start his own physical therapy clinic, and he and Lisa opened Hands-On Physical Therapy. |ret||ret||tab|

The name of the clinic reflects many of the techniques used to treat patients, which involve hands-on therapeutic massage. These methods include neuromuscular therapy, a form of deep muscle massage, and active-release technique, a form of soft tissue mobilization that works by breaking up unwanted adhesions that form as part of the body's natural healing process following an injury. According to Regnier, these adhesions decrease both the flexibility and strength of the muscle, causing nerves to become trapped and joints to sit out of place.|ret||ret||tab|

"As far as I know, we're the first physical therapy clinic in the Ozarks to offer active-release technique," Regnier said. "We use it to treat conditions like carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, whiplash, postural tension, shoulder impingements, pulled hamstrings and quadriceps, and neck, back and sacral strains. Active-release technique, when combined with a sound exercise program, helps patients get better faster."|ret||ret||tab|

Hands-On Physical Therapy also offers craniosacral therapy, a treatment method that involves very gentle manipulations of the bones and soft tissues in the head, neck and tailbone areas. Kelli Beil-Kautz, one of two part-time physical therapists at the clinic, specializes in craniosacral therapy. |ret||ret||tab|

Although Hands-On Physical Therapy offers several innovative therapeutic techniques, getting patients proved to be a challenge because the clinic isn't affiliated with Cox Medical Centers or St. John's Regional Health Center.|ret||ret||tab|

Regnier realized early on that he'd have to look for another source of patient referrals. Shortly after the clinic opened, he began visiting with area doctors and human resources directors who handled workers' compensation claims to describe the services the clinic offered. He also began offering free therapeutic massages to medical staff members, which helped create an interest in the clinic. |ret||ret||tab|

In the end, Regnier's marketing tactics worked. Currently, 60 percent of Hands-On Physical Therapy's patients are referred from doctors or human resources directors who handle workers' compensation claims. |ret||ret||tab|

Hands-On Physical Therapy accepts Medicare in addition to First Steps, a government stop-gap program that provides physical therapy to children who don't receive Medicare or Medicaid. The clinic also accepts insurance from Private Healthcare Systems and First Health.|ret||ret||tab|

"I was in a car accident eight years ago, and I've been in chronic pain ever since through my neck and shoulders," said Ginny Williams, a patient at Hands-On Physical Therapy. "I had to go out-of network to come here, and I pay a little more, but I'm getting results."|ret||ret||tab|

Two months ago, Lisa Regnier left her job at a local advertising agency to oversee Hands-On Physical Therapy's expansion. The Regniers now are looking to hire another physical therapist so they can keep pace with the demand for their services.|ret||ret||tab|

The couple also is planning to set up a satellite clinic at Dr. Gil Mobley's practice. According to Lisa Regnier, having a satellite clinic will help increase communications between Mobley and the physical therapists, which will enhance patients' care and enable to them to have a speedier recovery. [[In-content Ad]]