Patients find 'ideal' way to get personalized physical therapy

BY MACADAM GLINN

Ideal Physical Therapy began in March 1999 and was the brainchild of Heather Roth-Flores and Gloria Lluch-Moraga, with the intention of bringing more personalized attention to patients with physical therapy needs.

Heather Roth-Flores (left) and Gloria Lluchs-Moraga of Ideal Physical Therapy

"We met for the first time when we were both working at South Miami Hospital and became friends and continued to keep in touch," Roth explained. "We both felt, and had felt for some time, that we were unable to provide our patients with the attention and care they needed because of the volume of patients we had to deal with."

Roth and Lluch worked with a number of physical therapy providers. Roth spent time with Memorial Health Care System, several private clinics and the physical therapy department at South Miami Hospital.

Lluch worked for a veritable "Who's Who" of physical therapy firms, including HealthSouth, Mercy Hospital, Jackson Memorial and Therapist Unlimited, doing contract work in various hospitals.

But, none of these experiences was satisfying for either Roth or Lluch. They simply felt their patients weren't getting the one-on-one attention they needed. Finally, in light of their similar beliefs and their good personal relationship, they realized that they should start their own care provider business.
Ideal Physical Therapy provides one-on-one therapy for all its customers. They don't juggle three or four patients at once. Because of this, they have to stay independent and unaffiliated with any larger companies.

"If we become affiliated with a parent organization, we'd have to fill higher quotas and consequently provide less personal attention," Roth said.

Because of the dedication to the concept of personal attention, Ideal also needs to be sure to monitor the size of its staff.

"We're growing, but not to the point where we're unable to provide the care that our customers deserve and expect," Lluch said. "If that should happen, we'll add extra staff."

Ideal Physical Therapy treats everyone from chronic and acute back and neck pain sufferers, to accident victims, to stroke victims, to athletes injured playing sports.

"We'll treat muscular-skeletal, neurological, geriatric -- any problem you might have that requires therapy," Roth said.

And they can provide any number of treatment options, including, therapeutic massage, electric stimulation, ultrasound and myofacial release.

Ideal's patient-oriented attitude extends to payment plans as well and is affiliated with a number of PPOs, is negotiating with several HMOs, offers some of the lowest cash rates in the industry and even does pro bono work.

"Our prices for those who pay in cash is usually lower than any of our competitors and often for more personalized care than you can get anywhere else," said Roth, who graduated from the University of Miami Physical Therapy school.

"We even do pro bono work when we can for those that can't afford our help. We're very committed to helping those in the community that need our help but can't afford our services," explained Lluch, an alumnus of Curley High and Miami-Dade Community College.

Ideal Physical Therapy is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.

The office is tri-lingual and English, Spanish, and Greek linguists are available to answer any questions or make appointments. For more information, call 305-267-0900, or stop by 1350 SW 57 Ave., Suite 316 and visit.