Meet Kun-Yen Kuo | KunYen Kuo, Owner of FIG Wellness Therapy, Occupational Therapist, Pelvic Floor Therapist and Lymphedema Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kun-Yen Kuo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kun-Yen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
FIG Wellness Therapy started because I needed help that regular medical treatments couldn’t provide. My job as an occupational therapist gave me chronic plantar fasciitis. I didn’t want cortisol injections or surgery, and I couldn’t make time for physical therapy twice a week. So, I couldn’t hike anymore, and work became hard. After a year of struggling, I tried Shockwave treatment at a foot doctor’s office. Even though I didn’t see the results right away, after three months, my foot pain was gone! This got me curious, so I learned more about Shockwave therapy. I found out that what I got wasn’t the best kind. After looking into it, I discovered Softwave, which is the best in the market. The Softwave therapy still requires a series of treatments. However, most clients have noticeable improvements after just 1-3 sessions and experience the best long-lasting benefits after completing treatments. It sends two supersonic sound waves to your cells, while other devices only produce one single sound wave. But there’s a problem – there’s no Softwave therapy in my area. So, I decided to start FIG Wellness Therapy to help others like me who need better options for their issues.

What should our readers know about your business?
Many places offer Shockwave therapy, like chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, and physical therapy clinics, along with some medical doctors, nurses, and physician assistants. Usually, licensed medical pros do the first checkup, then assistants handle follow-up treatments.

What makes FIG Wellness Therapy stand out is how we blend skilled pros with top-notch tissue regenerative technology, giving our clients tailor-made results. We believe that having skilled hands is just as crucial as having the right tools. Unlike other places, we’re made up of occupational therapists and physical therapists. Dr. Reed, a successful chiropractor, has been running Reed Chiropractic for 24 years. We all have our day jobs but wanted something extra exciting. So, I created FIG to offer a unique healing option, where our specialists handle treatments without any assistants. This setup lets us use advanced technology to push the boundaries of traditional therapy.

Balancing my full-time job while building FIG hasn’t been easy. The toughest part was getting people to understand and trust our new technology. Softwave, our top-of-the-line device, is often confused with other shockwave machines. People don’t realize the difference until they try it. But now, word-of-mouth is helping spread the word about FIG.

Mistakes have been our best teachers. I’ve learned the importance of finding the right mentors who can guide you wisely. As for what I want people to know about FIG, let me share a story. One of our patients had tethered cord syndrome, a condition where the spinal cord is stuck. The surgery helped, but she still suffered from back pain. Before coming to FIG, she couldn’t sit comfortably for long. But after just three treatments with Softwave therapy, she flew for hours without pain, enjoying a vacation with her family.

I am an occupational therapist at heart. The goal for FIG is to help people get back to living life fully, using our expert care and gentle solutions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve got three spots in mind that would make for a great visit. First up is the Boyce Thompson Arboretum at Superior. When I first arrived in Arizona 30 years ago, I thought the landscape was pretty dull, just cactus and desert bushes. But over time, I’ve come to admire the resilience of our desert, which blooms with flowers and beautiful plants all year round. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum really shows off the best of our desert beauty, with efforts focused on conservation and education.

Next, there’s the Heard Museum, which is the top museum in the Phoenix area. It’s a fantastic place to explore American Indian Art, from traditional cultural pieces to modern creations. The way they set up exhibits makes for a really enjoyable and thought-provoking experience.

Lastly, there’s the Verde Canyon Railroad. It’s a 3.5-hour ride covering 20 miles on a heritage railroad. As you journey through the Verde Canyon, you’ll see rugged cliffs, lush forests, and the winding Verde River. Keep an eye out for wildlife like eagles, hawks, and deer. The train also gives you a peek into the area’s history and natural beauty. It’s a unique way to take in Arizona’s wilderness from the comfort of a vintage train. If you’ve got kids or you’re someone who gets fidgety easily, they offer fun events during the ride that might be just the ticket.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
FIG Wellness Therapy wouldn’t be possible without my husband. We’re not wealthy; we both work hard and depend on our middle-class salaries. Even when I shared the tough stats on new business success, my husband encouraged me with a simple, “Do what you have to do.” He’s my emotional rock and takes on extra household chores so I can focus on building FIG. Without him, there’d be no FIG.
As an occupational therapist, my business skills are still developing. I was surprised when Kevin Chou and Dr. David Reed stepped in to help FIG. One day, I reached out for a business loan and got connected to Kevin. Though his organization couldn’t assist us due to being out of state, Kevin became a mentor, teaching me about financial management in his own family time. Without his guidance, FIG would miss out on understanding the importance of financial health.
Initially, I focused on treating orthopedic conditions at FIG. Dr. David Reed, a skilled chiropractor, recognized the potential of Softwave therapy when he came to FIG for his bursitis. He generously trained me in its use and later led the Orthopedic division. Dr. Reed continues to mentor me, pushing me to find the soul of FIG and balance client needs with business. Bringing in Dr. Crystal Vendrell, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, added new skills and caring to FIG. Without Dr. Reed and Dr. Vendrell, FIG would just be another shockwave clinic. They help FIG stand out with FIG’s mission “Expert care, Noninvasive solutions, and Transforming health.”
Entrepreneurship is a lonely path for Occupational Therapists. Thankfully, I have a group of close friends and my psychologist, Kuo-Yi Chung, who keep me balanced and give me the courage to face the challenges unique to this path.

Website: https://figwellnesstherapy.com/