Stacey Richards is one of the physical therapists at the Medical Lake Physical Therapy clinic. She focuses on orthopedics and women's health issues, specifically in areas of pelvic floor function, pregnancy care, vestibular rehabilitation and orthopedic manual therapy.
The Medical Lake Physical Therapy's motto is "keep it movin," and it's been doing that for the last nine years.
Owner Dr. Nola Petrucelly opened the clinic in 2005 on Lake Street. One year later, the clinic moved to 725 N. Stanley St., above what used to be the urgent care ran by Dr. Jane Akpamgbo but is now Rockwood Clinic.
Petrucelly, a University of Washington alumna, has lived in eastern Washington since the '80s. Growing up, she remembered a physical therapy clinic being located in Medical Lake and went to revisit it as an adult, only to find it gone.
"It was called Matrix Physical Therapy and they had been bought out by Physiotherapy Associates who decided to close a handful of locations," Petrucelly said.
Petrucelly was also running her office in Spokane when she started the Medical Lake clinic.
"The need was there," Petrucelly said. "People were so excited to have physical therapy in Medical Lake, especially folks who don't like to drive."
There are currently two full-time physical therapists, one part-time and two administrative assistants. According to Petrucelly, both of her offices emphasize one-on-one care with patients.
"It's just you and your physical therapist for 45 minutes to an hour," Petrucelly said. "What I've learned from that (method) is people get better faster. You're not doing palliative care. You're doing skilled therapy."
Stacey Richards, who is from Medical Lake, has worked at the clinic for three years, starting as a full-time therapist then switching to part-time. She focuses on orthopedics and women's health issues, specifically in areas of pelvic floor function, pregnancy care, vestibular rehabilitation and orthopedic manual therapy.
"There's nothing better than helping these people get back to their activities," Richards said about interacting with her patients. "Everyone is down to earth here."
Richards said the clinic has changed the way they've conducted their practices and methods over the years to adapt to the community's needs.
"Healthcare is ever-changing and we try to stay up to date on treatments and procedures to help people," Richards said.
In addition to modifying methods and practices, Petrucelly said the biggest change over the years is insurance and billing. She explained there is more authorization required for patients to receive therapy. The clinic will contact a patient's insurance company to verify benefits and their doctor to acquire a referral.
"Sometimes we get an authorization for only two, three or six visits and the person might need 12," Petrucelly said. "It's a lot more documentation than it was in the past."
In addition to serving the community at a physical level, the clinic sponsors the 24-hour Tennis-A-Thon and the 3-on-3 Founder's Day basketball tournament.
"We just really try to be present in the community," Petrucelly said.
As for the future, Petrucelly believes Medical Lake is growing in different areas.
"We're preparing for a little shift in the community and more people coming in and being able to accommodate that growth," Petrucelly said.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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