Tell us about yourself and your business! What do you do?
We are physical therapists that specialize in women’s health, pelvic health for all genders and all ages, and musculoskeletal/spinal care. So, our clients may range from a mom who wants to get back to running after childbirth safely, to a male cyclist with back and pelvic pain, to a 8 year old child with issues bed-wetting. As PTs, our expertise is in human movement and function, and we address musculoskeletal conditions (such as pain, muscular issues, injury) that impact this. As pelvic health PTs, we specialize in the pelvis and its function in our daily activities. We have muscles, joints, nerves, and bones in our pelvis, just like the rest of our body, so we can assess a person’s function, strength, flexibility, and coordination in this area, as well. When someone has pelvic issues, they may experience bladder, bowel, or sexual issues, back or hip pain, or weakness in their “core.” We help people improve these essential functions and get back to living their life. Our mission is to empower individuals to advance their performance and quality of life to the fullest potential.
528 Kedzie Street ** info@linkpt.org ** (847) 868-8396
Why did you start this business?
We both have been in practice for over 20 years each. Prior to specializing in pelvic health, we had experience working in hospitals in various areas of rehabilitation–neurology, orthopedics/sports medicine, wound care, acute care. We share the story of starting our journey in pelvic health treating women who had bladder/bowel issues or sexual pain that said, “I thought this was just part of being a woman,” or “I thought this was just part of having a baby.” These sentiments were concerning, but inspired us to pursue advanced training in this specialty. We saw this was more than just a female issue, and continued to expand our practice to include men, children, and transgender individuals.
What's the story behind the name of your business?
We had an ‘aha’ moment when realized what sets us apart from other providers: we have a deeper understanding of the connections in the human body, how everything is linked. And so "Link Physical Therapy" fit our practice well. Although our specialty is in pelvic health, we try to figure out the big picture. It is important to assess and treat the whole person and understand the connections - the ‘linkages.’ We take an extensive interview and do a full body musculoskeletal evaluation for each person, so we can understand thoroughly what factors may be affecting their primary condition. Childbirth history, prior injuries, work related positions, movement patterns, and even emotional and stress factors are relevant to an individual’s rehabilitation program. These unique “links” are critical in understanding and tailoring the treatment program for each unique individual. Also, we linked our practices together when we moved here to Evanston!
Why did you choose to locate your business in Evanston? What do you love about coming to work here?
We both had separate practices for over 20 years downtown Chicago in the Streeterville area. When we found out we both lived in south Evanston, we began exploring the idea of opening up a private practice here in our hometown, serving our community. We love Evanston for its strong sense of community, the value and celebration of diversity, and support for independent business. It’s good to be home!
What sets your business apart from others that perform the same service?
We have over 45 years of combined experience in physical therapy, specializing in pelvic health/women’s health. Our experience of working in various clinical settings, teaching, and research demonstrates our passion for our profession. As an independent, boutique practice, we believe in an individualized approach, tailored to each client’s needs and goals, and one that is not based on limits imposed by a third-party payor. Our model of one-on-one care allows us to focus every session on the whole person in a holistic, comprehensive way. We empower our clients to have choice and to play an active role in their care so they can get back to the life they desire.
What advice would you give to someone who was thinking about opening a business?
Believe in your product/service and understand how it will positively impact your potential customers. When you have a business/profession you are passionate about, it will make the ‘rollercoaster ride’ much more worthwhile. This, in turn, propels you to keep learning, growing, and improving each day. When you are inspired to learn more, you know you are doing the right thing.
