January 20, 2017

Meet Lauren Sok of Functionize Health and Physical Therapy in Decatur

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Sok.

Lauren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Many people ask why I opened my own practice after 16 years of working for large physical therapy companies throughout Atlanta with good pay, great therapists, and a stable lifestyle. The answer is that I couldn’t leave my job each day feeling that I wasn’t giving my best to my patients. I had to meet productivity goals that put clients into a box of symptoms that were given mediocre care in a set number of visits, then discharged even if they didn’t meet their functional goals. I was unhappy and knew I my patients deserved better. I wanted to provide a higher level of care than what I could give in the traditional healthcare model. Amidst rising healthcare costs and deductibles, I found that my clients were looking for more personalized one-on-one care that focused on the whole person, not just a specific injury or condition.

So two years ago, I met with a local physician, who has since become a friend and mentor. He saw positive results in his clients when he sent them to me for physical therapy and encouraged me to go out on my own. I began by seeing his clients in their homes throughout Virginia Highlands, Druid Hills, and Inman Park. Gradually the business grew and I needed my own space rather than spending time in my car. By June 2016, I was ready to open my own practice.

I chose Downtown Decatur because I liked the community feel and its strong commitment to supporting local businesses. It’s been six months since I opened my doors and the clientele is growing. I continue to offer clients a full hour of hands-on physical therapy. And because of that, I get my clients better faster and for less money. I’ve added another physical therapist, Pilates instructor, and personal trainer to the team. In January, I will be expanding my space to provide some group fitness and education classes.

Everyday I am living my dream which is reaffirmed by the commissioned artwork on my office wall which rightfully states, “Are you living your dream, or still dreaming of living.”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Just like any startup, I worked my butt off to get to where I am today. For the first two years, I was still working my regular job and seeing clients around my work hours. I had to hide the fact that I had another business on the side as it was against my non-compete clause. It was a blessing in disguise when they had to cut back my hours. I now had more time to devote to building my business and could be upfront with my employer about my side business. Before finding my current office space, I tried two prior times to rent space from a chiropractor and a yoga studio. I soon learned that if your goals are not the same as those you are renting with, then your business won’t succeed. And I had to move on.

Functionize Health and Physical Therapy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I consider my office a concierge style physical therapy clinic that focuses on functional medicine and one-on-one specialized care. In other words when a client steps in my door, they get a full hour evaluation which allows me to look at how the whole person is moving and feeling, not just one specific injury or condition. Physical Therapists specialize in understanding and helping people move better. However, there are many subspecialties of physical therapy. Some of the subspecialties at my office are Orthopedic manual (hands-on) therapy, Private Pilates, Running Analysis, Trigger Point Dry Needling, and Pelvic Health for men and women. Pelvic Health is one area in particular that clients seek us out for a few reasons. One, there are not many Pelvic Health Physical Therapists in Atlanta so the waiting lists can be long to see a practitioner. Two, there is a great need within very few visits to improve the quality of life in men and women suffering from pelvic pain, incontinence, prenatal and post-partum pain and weakness, and constipation.

I am most proud of our referral base of clients that spread the good word about our business. 70% of our new clients come as self-referrals from past clients. We are lucky to not have to do as much door to door marketing.

The main areas that set us apart from other Physical Therapy offices are:
-Exceptional care with experienced physical therapists that will get you better faster.
-Private one-on-one sessions with your physical therapist.
-A functional medicine approach aimed at restoring your whole body’s movement patterns rather than treating one body part at a time.
-Comprehensive hands-on treatment using manual therapy techniques along with traditional exercises, Pilates, and trigger point dry needling.
-Integrated care that collaborates with other health care providers to ensure that you are getting the best care possible.
-Priority access to your physical therapist via phone, email, video.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is not entirely tangible. To me, success means feeling fulfilled at the end of the day. Knowing that I made a difference in someone life by helping them move and feel their best. Physical Therapy is a profession where you can really get to know your clients. By having my own business, I can give them what they need rather than categorize them into a group of symptoms that need to be treated. And when a client leaves and refers someone else my way, that is success.

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