Health & Wellness , Physical Therapy , Blog

25 Years of Dubuque Physical Therapy: An Interview with Jason Meyer

This summer, we have been highlighting our 25th Anniversary, so we wanted to hear from the man in charge, the owner of Dubuque Physical Therapy, Jason Meyer, PT. I recently asked Jason a few questions about the things he has learned along the way, where DPT started and where it is headed. Check out the interview below!

Did you always know you wanted to own your own PT clinic? What made you decide you wanted to be a clinic owner?

Jason – Not initially, but soon after starting my career as a PT for another company, I quickly realized I wanted to do things differently. I grew up working in my family’s small business and I got to see the advantages and disadvantages of being your own boss. When the opportunity came for me to buy Dubuque Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2008, my wife and I decided it was the right choice for me professionally and for our future.

What did you learn from Mel and the other veteran PTs you worked with at the start of your career that you still use today?

Jason – I first met Mel Harvey, who was the previous owner of DPT, in 1998 when I was a PT student at the University of Iowa doing one of my last clinical rotations before I graduated. He was my clinical instructor and I had the opportunity to work and learn alongside him for 8 weeks. It was amazing. You could even say life changing looking back on it now. I remember on the last day of my rotation we were meeting to talk about the past 8 weeks and I told him that if he ever needed another PT he should hire me. About 2 years later that call came and I joined DPT as a staff physical therapist in 2000. I learned a lot both clinically and professionally from Mel over the next 8 years. He was always willing to share his years of experience and knowledge to help answer any questions I had about a patient and he created a very positive learning environment.

Over the past 25 years, what has surprised you about the growth or direction of Dubuque PT? Did it go just the way you planned?

Jason – When I started with DPT it was a small clinic, just Mel and I as PT’s and a few support staff. DPT started in the basement of Westside Orthopedic building owned by Dr. Field. As we grew, we moved up to the third floor of that same building. I took ownership of DPT in 2008 and later that same year opened our second location on Delhi St in the lower level of the Klauer Optical building where we continue to see clients today. In 2016 I moved DPT from the Westside Orthopedics building into our current location on the corner of Asbury and John F Kennedy Rd. DPT has seen a steady growth since 2008(except 2020 obviously, thank you COVID-19). I think that growth can be attributed to our reputation of providing exceptional service, bringing the latest techniques and technology to the area, and the extraordinary staff I have had over the years.

I would love to say things went exactly as I had planned but anyone who has run a business know things never go as planned. Some things you just can’t plan for – like the building you are renting gets sold or COVID-19 happens. When plans change you must adapt. I did not have a business degree, marketing degree, or HR experience but had to learn those things along the way. The journey has not always been smooth but I would not change how things have turned out so far.

How does Dubuque Physical Therapy try to bring the best therapy to the area? What sets Dubuque PT apart?

Jason – It has always been my goal to be on top of the latest techniques and technology but still incorporate all the things that have worked so well for so long. DPT was the first clinic to bring instrument/augmented soft tissue release(ASTYM), vibration therapy, dry needling, Class IV deep tissue laser, and now musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound to the area. I also encourage all my therapists to work in a collaborative manner to get clients the best possible outcome. We all learn from each other and sometimes two or three brains are better than one. We try to promote a positive and fun environment because lets face it, sometimes PT is not always fun. Finally, I feel what sets DPT apart is definitely my staff. I am a big believer in fate or luck, whatever you want to call it. I have been fortunate over the years to have some of the most talented, knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate staff work at DPT.

What do you love about your job?

Jason – For me, there is nothing better than helping people who are in pain or have lost the ability to do things they enjoy, get back to living their lives. I like the process of trying to figure out what is the source of someone’s pain or figuring out what is preventing them from enjoying life and helping restore a better quality of life. I also enjoy the ability to get to know all my clients on a personal level. When you work with someone for 45 minutes 2-3 times a week for weeks to months, you get to know about them, their hobbies, and families. I really do have a very fulfilling career (except for paperwork and dealing with insurance companies. Anyone who works in healthcare knows what I am talking about!).

Where is Dubuque PT heading in the next 10 years (or 25 years!!)? What would you like to see grow/improve?

Jason – I am excited for the future of DPT but can’t predict what will happen. The plan is to continue to strive to be the best at what we do, continue to learn and grow along the way, and try to have fun doing it.

(Interview conducted by Dubuque Physical Therapy Marketing Director and physical therapist Laura Timmerman, PT, DPT, OCS).

Health & Wellness , Aches & Pains , Blog , Physical Therapy

Returning to Activity After a Pandemic

(Used with permission from The American Physical Therapy Association, July 2021)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, activity levels dropped for a lot of people. Between stay at
home orders, gym closures and working from home, people became more sedentary. On top of
that, there were shortages of equipment like dumbbells and bicycles, making staying active at
home difficult even if you wanted to.

But this summer, things look different; vaccines are widely available, restrictions are loosening
and people are looking to get active and enjoy the warm weather. That’s all good news, but if
you had a long break from activity, your body might not be ready to jump right back in. Here
are a few tips to help you get more active without getting hurt:

Start Slow

● If you’re a runner, think about a walk to run program
● If you’re a weight lifter, start with lighter weights and less reps.
● Whatever your activity of choice is, start with short periods of activity and gradually
work your way back up.

Warm Up and Cool Down

Warming up gets your heart and lungs ramped up and prepares your muscles and tendons for
the increase in activity about to come. Include some light cardio like jogging, calisthenics, or
cycling, followed by active stretching like butt kicks, high knees, or yoga.

Cooling down transitions your body back to a lower state of stress – it brings your heart rate and
breathing down, decreases blood flow to your muscles and back to places like your digestive
system, and helps you relax. It’s also a great place for static stretches if you need some work on
your flexibility.

Take A Day Off

Rest days let your body recover and keep you from getting burned out. Not enough exercise
isn’t good for you, but too much of a good thing can cause problems too.

Watch for early signs of injury

Some soreness for a few days after activity is normal, especially if you’ve had a long break. But
there are a few common issues to watch out for as you return to activity:
● Swelling or bruising
● Joint pain, especially in the knees or shoulders
● Foot pain, which could be a sign of plantar fasciitis
● Muscle strains – particularly common in the hamstrings
● Sprains – most common in the ankle

Any of these issues justifies a call to your physical therapist. Getting checked out early can
prevent an injury that derails your attempt to return to activity. PTs see all of the issues just
mentioned on a regular basis and can help safely guide you back into a more active lifestyle.

Physical Therapy , Health & Wellness , Aches & Pains , Blog

Use It and Improve it!

Written by Anne Kruse, PT, DPT, Therapeutic Pain Specialist, Cert. MDT

As I reflect on my own physical fitness over the years I am amazed at how true what I learned years ago in school really is. One of the phrases I have heard and now use is:

“If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

I distinctly recall the first time I found this phrase applied to me. During my first year of PT school I had settled into a routine of little to no exercise. The following summer a friend asked me to run the Bix 7 Road Race with her. I thought, “Sure, I was on the track team in high school and ran some in college, this will be fun.”

Little did I realize how completely out of shape I had become and the seven mile race was absolutely brutal. I must confess I walked the majority of it. That was a wake up call and I began to make a concerted effort to exercise a few times a week; walking with friends after class, playing an occasional game of racquetball, lifting weights, etc.

Why Not Me?

Fast forward to the spring of 2018. As my husband and I sat in the stands of Drake stadium watching our sons compete in the Drake Relays, I had another awakening. I was amazed as I watched an elderly gentleman take to the track and compete in the Masters 800. While his time didn’t break any records, he was out there doing it and clearly having fun. Yet again I had become too busy in my own life to exercise regularly, and yet this is what I teach people every day. With the support of my family and friends, I returned to running, ugly as it was. I found it challenging to even run a half mile initially, but have grown to really appreciate running as a means of exercising, relaxing, and spending time with my family and friends.

Why do I share this tale?

Because we are all human and have times in our lives when our own wellness plans get derailed. But fortunately, as humans, we also have an amazing ability to improve our wellness. In recent years I have learned the phrase, “Use it and improve it” and this holds true with all of our bodily systems.

What Does the Research Say?

In 1966, the Dallas Bed Rest and Training Study was conducted in which five healthy 20 year old male volunteers were recruited to spend the summer in bed. The cardiovascular fitness levels of the participants was measured before beginning the study.

After just three weeks in bed, without any weight bearing activity, the participants were found to have had such significant declines in their cardiovascular fitness that the bed rest was stopped.

On average the participants had a:

27% decline in their ability to absorb and use oxygen
26% decline in the amount of blood their hearts could pump through their bodies in a minute
35 point increase in heart rate during a submaximal workout

To complete the study, the participants were taken through an eight week workout program.

45% increase in their ability to use oxygen
40% increase in the amount of blood their hearts pumped through their bodies in a minute
49 point decrease in heart rate with a submaximal workout

Hmm, working out improved their heart and vascular system function to better than they were before the study.

But wait, there is more!

The same five participants were studied 30 years later (1996). Only two had continued to exercise and all had gained weight and body fat. At baseline it was found they on average had only declined 12% in their ability to absorb and use oxygen.

Thus, three weeks of bed rest at age 20 was more detrimental to their cardiovascular fitness than 30 years of aging.

Compared to the original study, there was no bed rest, but a training program was begun. In 1996 the training was less intense and involved walking, jogging and cycling over a period of six months instead of eight weeks based on the age of the participants and to reduce the risk of injury. After the training program, the participants had improved their ability to absorb and use oxygen by 14% to similar levels attained in the 1966 study.

Wow! Ok, but why do I care?

So, the take home point is this: no matter where you find yourself in life, it is important to your health to move. Whatever you choose to do, be it walk, jog, bike, or swim, have fun and realize you are helping to reverse the effects of inactivity and aging and are improving your cardiovascular fitness. If you find yourself needing some guidance, consult your physician, PT or personal trainer.