Relationships are building blocks to the foundation of physical therapy.
In times of need, a therapist is sought for answers, for great care, guidance, compassion, and relief. Trust and faith are common denominators between patient and therapist.
All holds true with Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Brandon Eckholm, PT, DPT, a caring, knowledgeable, and compassionate therapist, and Sandra Marsau.
An energetic, upbeat, and optimistic 74-year-old grandmother, Marsau, who is living her dream with her husband, their daughter, her husband, their twin six-year-old boys and 14-year-old granddaughter on the family farm, have long had a trusted relationship through Rock Valley’s Waterloo, Iowa, clinic.
It began when Eckholm and Marsau were on staff together with Step Ahead Therapy, prior to Step Ahead joining the Rock Valley family. Since then, Marsau and Eckholm have continued a tremendous patient-therapist relationship.
“I enjoy working with Brandon,” said Marsau, who has many times through the years, turned to Eckholm for chronic hip concerns. Recently, the two worked to resolve issues of lightheadedness with Marsau, to which they were resolved. “I have such confidence in his skill. I always feel and know I’m in capable hands. I have no doubt he knows what he is doing and if I follow the plan and continue it, I will be much better.’’
Eckholm says this time the issue for Marsau, whom he holds in tremendous regard, was resolved quickly.
“Sandy attended therapy for three or four visits and demonstrated a resolution of lightheadedness,” Eckholm said. “It was her neck that was the source of the dysfunction. I would not say there were any specific obstacles but when you are dealing with lightheadedness/dizziness there are many different things that could be causing the issue, and I was thankful that we were able to find the source on day one.’’
Eckholm, Marsau says, has always been beyond thorough in his evaluations. He inquired quickly when her hip issues began, how often she needed treatment for the pain, what might have triggered it, and what therapy she had undergone previously. She says Eckholm took measurements of leg length, tested muscle strength, range of motion, flexibility and a bevy of other possibilities that could have led to her hip issue.
“At my initial evaluation Brandon came up with an exercise plan for strengthening my leg and hip,” Marsau said. “This consisted of copies of the exercises he wanted me to do which were extremely helpful. He gave me written instructions for how often they should be done and how many repetitions I should do each day. I appreciated the handouts so I could always check to make sure I was doing them correctly. Many of my exercises required the use of a Thera-band and he always made sure I understood what I needed to do. My job was to do the exercises, get better and then continue them at times when I had flare ups. If I need additional help I would go back to Brandon.’’
Through the years, when physical issues kept Marsau – a dynamo on so many fronts – from living her best life – she turned to Eckholm.
“Many times, I returned for therapy for one problem or another and have ALWAYS requested Brandon,” Marsau said. “He is my go-to therapist. I have so many friends in our 60-and-older age group that have issues, and I always recommend they see Brandon at Rock Valley. I cannot imagine the number of people I have sent to see him during his career at Rock Valley.’’
Eckholm has nothing but profound respect and high praise for Marsau.
“Sandy is the ideal patient, she is very proactive in her approach to things which are so important in optimal outcomes,” he said. “She will reach out over the course of the year just to make sure she is “tuned up.””
A shift in ownership, while uneasy for some, was – in Eckholm’s eyes – the perfect opportunity to grow his practice and continue to cultivate relationships.
“What keeps me here is the relationships I have made with my coworkers and I feel like I have had the freedom to be myself and practice the way I feel is most beneficial to my patients,’’ Eckholm said, extolling the virtues of Rock Valley’s Kris Marcks, Regional Manager, PT, MPT, CSMT. “She hired me, and we were able to work closely together for years before she opened her clinic in West Union (Iowa). She was patient with me from the start and helped me early on with improving on manual skills because we did not have a formal mentoring program then. She always felt more like a friend than a boss and I would say that is still our relationship to this day.’’
Relationships. The beauty of the practice of physical therapy.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller