More than three months ago, Brian Boyle noticed physical therapy and personal training clients cutting back on regular visits. Where people might have come in three times a week, Boyle said, they were dropping back to once weekly.
“They didn't have the gas money or they didn't have the co-pay,” said Boyle, a physical therapist and president of Gaston Rehab Associates of Gastonia.
In response, Boyle started offering online personal training. Clients come in once for an evaluation and to learn exercises and then pay a fee to receive electronic updates and feedback on their workouts.
The practice makes less money on the e-mail service than if patients came in for office visits. But “rather than having nothing, we're getting something,” Boyle said. He said the program is growing among his clients, many of whom have exercise equipment at home.
The online service has freed up staff to market the business and seek new clients. The practice is opening an office geared toward athletes in August in Troutman. It also works with companies, providing physical therapy to injured workers. He said this piece of the business is growing.
As a business owner, Boyle is coping with his own growing pains. He is hiring two physical therapists and three or four exercise physiologists. He said a worker shortage is driving up salaries.
“It's tough,” he said. Four years ago, he estimates, he might have paid an annual salary of $56,000 to a new physical therapist. Now, he's looking at $75,000 to $90,000.
“It's just like with the oil prices – it's supply and demand,” he said. “Supply and demand affects everybody.”
KERRY HALL
How's the economy treating you? Share your stories with Kerry Hall at (704) 358-5085 or khall@charlotteobserver.com.
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