Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Hoffner-Martin
Hi Erika, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path into physical therapy was not a path that I planned on taking. I originally wanted to be a surgeon, so I applied to medical school, made it through the MCAT and interviews, only to be rejected. I moved back home after graduating from Florida State University without a single clue as to what I wanted to do with my life. My mom suggested I look into physical therapy, and I luckily ended up getting a job as a PT tech and front office coordinator and found the career that I truly now believe I was destined to have. I played DI softball at FSU and was no stranger to sports and orthopedic injuries, so I quickly fell in love with outpatient PT; however, the specialties I now have came about due to my own experiences with struggling health. Over the last several years, I’ve struggled with pelvic floor issues ranging from incontinence to pain with sex and have been diagnosed with 3 other health conditions (hypermobility, POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome)) that are common but often misdiagnosed. As a result, these are the areas I now specialize in treating, alongside standard orthopedic issues.
My first job out of PT school was at a high volume clinic where I was the only therapist who specialized in pelvic floor treatment. Most of my patients were women, but I treat pretty much anything related to the pelvic floor (pregnancy/postpartum, incontinence, pelvic pain, constipation, post-op issues, prostate dysfunction, etc). My schedule was always full, and my mental health was struggling significantly. Not only that, but my body physically was already feeling the repercussions of treating patients hands-on for 40 hours a week without getting enough rest. In order to save myself, I found a job at a cash based clinic and began my own small practice- Persist Rehabilitation and Performance, so I could cut back on my direct care hours and figure out how to best take care of my own body. What they say is true: you can’t take care of others until you take care of yourself. I’m now able to take care of my patients without the restraints of my health or health insurance, providing 1 hour one-on-one treatment sessions, and I can tell that my patients feel better faster because of it. I am no stranger to feeling like your providers aren’t listening to you or don’t believe the symptoms you’re trying to explain to them; I’ve unfortunately been gaslit by several physicians throughout my lifetime, convincing me that my symptoms weren’t really a problem. My goal through Persist Rehab is to ensure that you have a safe space to feel heard and be seen so that we can experiment and figure out what the best treatments will be in order to get you feeling your best. Life is not without its aches and pains, but we should be able to live freely despite these pains, or in other words, persist.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been incredibly fortunate to have had minimal struggles along the way, and I absolutely do not take this for granted. I’m so lucky to have a spouse who was supportive of me both emotionally and financially while I built up my patient list. The biggest problem I had was my inner saboteur- the little voice in my head telling me that this was a dumb idea. I’ve had depression and anxiety for years, and I still battle that voice that tells me I’m not smart enough or skilled enough to have my own business; that people shouldn’t listen to me for medical advice; that if I started my own practice I would inevitably fail. After years of therapy and finally finding the right combination of medication, this voice has shrunk immensely, and I’ve been able to see that I DO know what I’m doing, maybe even better than some other providers for certain conditions and diagnoses. I specialize in 2 areas that are widely under-researched, under-diagnosed, and under-treated. Given that I also have the conditions I specialize in, I know that my knowledge and experience is much more valuable than for what I give myself credit. I just hope that as I continue to treat my patients that they’re able to gain knowledge about how to better take care of themselves.
We’ve been impressed with Persist Rehabilitation and Performance, 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?
Persist Rehab was born out of a passion for helping others to feel their best outside of the restrictions of health insurance. My primary specialties are pelvic floor and hypermobility dysfunction, though most of my patients are seeking treatment for orthopedic issues, like joint or muscle pain or issues with weight lifting. I do several different types of treatment, such as cupping, dry needling, myofascial release, taping, and exercise based therapy.
PT can help with so many things outside of back pain and ankle sprains. I’ve helped people struggling with menstrual pain, infertility, nervous system dysfunction, bladder issues, chronic abdominal pain, gut dysfunction, pain from joint hypermobility, chronic migraines, Parkinson’s, MS, pain that’s lasted more than 20 years, weight lifting, you name it. Physical therapy is a lifesaving specialty that can help so many things outside of just the musculoskeletal system. Everything is connected, including the mind. And if I can’t help with whatever issue it is for which you’re seeking treatment, I’ll help you find someone who can.
Unfortunately, I know that not everyone can afford to pay out of pocket for physical therapy. This is why I keep my prices much lower than other places, and I use a sliding payment scale depending on my patients’ financial needs. I treat out of my own home, with the help of my wonderful pup Tony who acts as your emotional support therapy dog, to provide a low key, stress-free, non-medical feeling appointment. I plan to provide these services for as long as I can because I truly believe in the power of physical therapy and learning how to listen to your body to provide what it needs.
I think what I’m most proud of is the fact that I’ve been able to provide my patients with the feeling of safety, which has allowed them to put their trust in me. I do not take that lightly, especially because individuals are trusting me with their health. I know that I do not know everything, but I try my hardest to provide you with answers. When I don’t know the answer to something, I’m not afraid to say “I don’t know”. I think many providers are afraid to admit when they don’t have the information you’re seeking; but as a patient, I know I’d rather my provider be honest and tell me that they’ll find the information instead of giving me some BS answer just to tell me something. That doesn’t help anyone. I hope that because of my experiences with faulty healthcare that I am able to provide a different experience for individuals who are seeking something outside the box.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I feel that my ability to actively listen and empathize has been vital to my success as a PT and why my patients return for years with different issues. I know so many of us, especially women, have been ignored and shrugged off by medical professionals, being told that our pain is from “anxiety” and that we “need to see a therapist”. I’ve been gaslit into thinking that my health issues were all in my head and that maybe even I was causing the issues myself. Patients just need someone to listen and believe in them. Pain is 100% modulated by the brain, so if we’re being told we’re “making up our pain”, then really, everyone is making it up. Pain must be treated like it’s real, because to the patient, it IS real. This is their reality, and no matter what, we need to take that seriously. That is how you gain a patient’s trust. I’m an open book with my patients in regards to my own health and experiences navigating the healthcare system. I’m comfortable being vulnerable with them in my office, willing to cry with them when they’re experiencing something traumatic. Some people may say that this is unprofessional, but I think it’s what makes me good at my job. People need to see that their providers are still people, struggling with the same things.
Pricing:
- $120 1 hr evaluation
- $100 1 hr treatment session
- $60 30 min treatment session
- Sliding scale based on need for all services
Contact Info:
- Website: https://persistrehab.com
- Instagram: @drhmartin
