In this episode of The Prehab Podcast, Dr. Michael Lau sits down with Dr. Adelle Smener to share the journey of building PrehabPT, their Los Angeles-based physical therapy clinic. They break down the challenges clinicians face, the flaws in traditional PT, and how PrehabPT is redefining patient care and clinician autonomy.
The conversation dives into:
The realities of burnout and lack of support in the PT profession
Why better options for both patients and clinicians are needed
How autonomy and support improve treatment outcomes
The unique challenges of running a PT clinic as a married couple
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:14 - The Origin of Prehab’s In-Person Clinic
06:27 - Navigating Early Career Challenges in PT
10:48 - The Overlooked Cause of Burnout in Healthcare
13:34 - Searching for the Right Fit in PT
15:09 - How We Built a PT Model That Works for Clinicians & Patients
18:16 - Physical Therapy is Not One-Size-Fits-All
19:25 - You Didn’t Fail PT—PT Might Have Failed You
20:28 - How We Personalize Care for Every Patient
25:57 - Working With Your Spouse: Challenges & Lessons
33:37 - The Role of PTs & Access to Care
36:29 - Where to Find Dr. Adelle Smener