Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Aing.
Hi Kim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you ask most physical therapists why they chose this career, I guarantee the majority will answer with, “I have the desire to help people.” Although that is also one of my biggest “whys,” I noticed a portion of this profession that did not sit well with me. It’s the part where health insurance dictates a person’s treatment for care. Every evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan was geared towards satisfying health insurance companies’ rules and reimbursements. Under their guidelines, the quality, time, and attention I wanted to give my patients were also stripped.
Outpatient physical therapy clinics felt like a factory mill to me. I would see between 2-4 clients within an hour, giving one-on-one sessions in just 15-30 minutes. This time strain would have me churning patients in and out the door mindlessly. Sometimes a patient I started would have to get handed off to another therapist because of the strict time and overbooked schedule. There wasn’t even enough time to give a proper hand-off. My mind would constantly ask, “How is the other therapist supposed to know what my patient truly needs? By reading my documentation notes?” That can only go so far.
Another concern I developed was being required to discharge patients based on when their pain was gone was not right to me. I wanted to discharge someone when the CAUSE of the pain was fixed to avoid it relapsing. Some patients would return with the same initial complaints of pain after a few months (even weeks). I would think, “Am I surprised? Absolutely not.” I was never able to finish their therapy because insurance said so.
Unfortunately, these are the common issues I’ve encountered to be the norm in outpatient physical therapy clinics. If I genuinely wanted to follow through with why I came into this career, to work for the patient and not insurance companies, I had to do something different.
After receiving my Doctorate of Physical Therapy, I continued with a post-graduate fellowship with a subspecialty in Osteopractic Physical Therapy. It required participating in an extensive mentorship and a copious amount of training. I am still constantly reading and educating myself on the latest evidence-based practices and up-to-date techniques to provide my patients with the highest quality of care.
So in July of 2021, I opened the doors to Unify Osteopractic Physical Therapy & Wellness. At Unify PT, quality treatment is the core of our practice. We provide one-on-one, all-inclusive preventative and rehabilitative care to meet patients’ specific needs. Our goal is to help active adults and athletes stay fit, and healthy and get back to doing what they love faster, without medications or surgery, and without seeing them 2-3x a week.
Opening this type of patient care model was the best decision I’ve made. I am able to stay grounded in my approaches to care — being more efficient and giving my undivided attention to my patients.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey was definitely not a smooth road to get to where I am today. From switching degrees my junior year at the University of Texas, to learning how to start a business – I had thoughts of quitting. As I continue through life, I’ve accepted there will always be obstacles and challenges. That never ends.
The biggest obstacle that challenged me was when I tore my ACL and meniscus just one month after opening the doors to Unify PT. I advocate doing rehab without the need for surgery when necessary, but after evaluating my situation and getting a second consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, I knew surgery was the best route for me. I also live an active lifestyle that entails weight-lifting and playing sports, so I needed this resolved ASAP.
With that decision finalized in my head, I knew I couldn’t see patients for at least three months. That meant paying expenses without revenue and income. I closed the doors to Unify PT, had my surgery, and to this day, I’m still rehabilitating.
Although that happened, I got a taste of the patient side of rehabilitation. This injury allowed me to really grow as a physical therapist and a business owner.
We’ve been impressed with Unify Osteopractic Physical Therapy & Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Unify PT, quality treatment is the core of our practice. We provide one-on-one, all-inclusive preventative and rehabilitative care to meet your specific needs. Each session will be with the same Doctor of Physical Therapy, tailored around your activities and goals with a holistic, full-body approach.
We believe this consistency of care is vital to the success and outcomes of our treatments.
We seek to unify rehabilitation and performance so that you can go back to doing what you love without fear of re-injury or pain!
Our services cover a range of conditions including neck and low back pain, weightlifting injuries, strains, sprains, muscle, tendon and ligament tears and repairs, shoulder pain, and foot and ankle dysfunction.
I am a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, meaning I chose to focus on a subspecialty area of clinical practice, education, or research pertaining to Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. I also obtained my Diploma of Osteopractic and utilize spinal manipulation, dry needling, and differential diagnosis as a part of my practice. This gave me the knowledge and experience beyond what graduate school or working in a clinic taught me to get my patients better, and faster.
I’m proud of this brand because our goal is to seek to unify rehabilitation and performance to ensure this injury or pain doesn’t easily come back. My main focus was to work for the patient. I wanted the environment to feel relaxed and inviting because coming to a medical office to explain your pain is never fun.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My mom was a Registered Nurse who had to work at three different hospitals to support my brother and me after my parents divorced. Which meant she worked ALL the time and chose to take on night shifts to receive a higher pay grade. I was 18 months, and my brother was two years old, so you can only imagine how difficult this was for her as a single mom.
There was a day I remember she randomly said, “you know what, I don’t feel like going to work today.” She called off work, took us to Blockbuster to rent movies, and ordered pizza. We also built this mini fort in the living room, where we watched movies and ate pizza all night.
Now that I reflect on it, this memory is why my favorite thing to do is: Stay home, order pizza, and stream movies!
Contact Info:
- Email: kimberlysampt@unifypt.com
- Website: unifypt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unify.pt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnifyPT/
Image Credits
Hassan Daramsis
Kimberly Truong
