Meet Michael Price | Doctor of Physical Therapy, PT, OCS, CSCS, Cert. TDN

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Price and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I decided to start my own business because I wanted to have autonomy in the way that I practiced physical therapy. Before I started my business I was not happy in my profession and that needed to change.

I love this profession and I love what I do. I get great satisfaction in helping others and every day I have the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s physical condition, overall health, and quality of life. Since then it has been my passion and mission to become the best physical therapist I could be. So, after a kinesiology degree, doctorate degree, clinical rotations, orthopedic residency, and other certifications I was finally ready to practice and fulfill my dream of being a PT. However, after 3 years in a corporate environment I started to lose my passion for the career I thought I was destined for. When I opened Modern Movement PT 6 months ago that fire was lit again inside me and I am the happiest I have ever been practicing physical therapy.

What should our readers know about your business?
After completing my doctorate of physical therapy in Wisconsin, I moved to Arizona and completed an Orthopedic Residency to become a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS). I have been practicing in the valley since 2017. Over time I developed a modern treatment philosophy and multifaceted approach that encompasses a broad spectrum of manual techniques and interventions that get my patients superior results. In May of 2021 I founded Modern Movement Physical Therapy. My goal was to open a clinic that would allow me to practice my approach to physical therapy the most effective way in order to optimize performance and results for my patients. I have helped high level high school, college, and professional athletes not just recover from injuries or pain, but also keep their bodies training and performing at elite and demanding levels. I also enjoy treating anyone that is active or wanting to be more active without pain or limitations.

There are a few things that set me apart from other physical therapy practices. First, I run as a cash based practice. This is one of the main reasons why I left the corporate, insurance driven model and wanted to open my own practice. But let me explain why. Since I started practicing, insurance companies have continued to reduce their reimbursement rates every year. This affects providers who rely solely on insurance because they are being paid significantly less for each patient who is being cared for. What this ultimately means for insurance based practices is that in order to be a profitable company, they need to focus on the quantity of patients which, as you can imagine, affects the quality of care given. Prior to opening Modern Movement, the clinic I was at scheduled patients in 15 minute increments, oftentimes double booking my schedule leaving me only 7 minutes to treat a patient. That is simply not enough time to properly care for a patient.

How is Modern Movement’s cash based practice different?
Rates are flat and there are no additional costs. Period. I will do whatever is necessary and appropriate to treat you. In one session, it is possible to have a spinal adjustment, dry needling, and other manual treatment. I am able to treat multiple body parts in one visit whereas at a corporate/insurance based model, they are only able to treat one body part due to insurance restrictions. If you still want to submit to insurance for reimbursement after treatment with me, you still can! I can provide you with a “superbill” that you can submit. Lastly, and most importantly, instead of 7.5-15 minute appointments at a corporate PT clinic, you will have 45 minutes one on one with me, your Doctor of Physical Therapy. That time is appropriate for assessment, treatment, and education to my clients about what is going on and why along with how I’m going to treat it and why.

I am a board certified orthopedic specialist and have the advanced skill set to get my patients the best and fastest results. For example, the residency provided extensive training in spinal manipulation/adjustments. So, while I am not a chiropractor, I do everything that chiropractors do, if it’s necessary. I also use dry needling, cupping, and numerous other manual therapy techniques as necessary. Patients have referred to my clinic as a “one stop shop” in that I can treat virtually all orthopedic, sports medicine, and musculoskeletal injuries, aches, or pains.

A lot of people think that physical therapy is only for post operative rehabilitation. You do not need to be injured or have surgery to come to see me! Most of my clients see me for the normal random joint, spine, or muscle aches, pains, stiffness, and tightness that comes along with life, being active, and the abuse we put our bodies through. Our bodies are like cars and need regular maintenance. So, take care of your body because it’s the only one you get!

You will not find another PT that is more invested in the totality of your care, genuinely cares about you, or is as passionate about their craft. But don’t take my word for it, go read the reviews that my clients have left.

What am I proud of? I am really proud of myself for taking the risk of starting my own practice and to see the growth in just the first 6 months. I am also proud that I didn’t settle for the corporate physical therapy model and for now providing a quality experience and that gets results.

The biggest challenge has been having to wear multiple hats and learning new all-encompassing skills as a business owner. I’m not just a Physical therapist anymore; I’m a marketing manager, salesperson, social media manager and strategic planner.

The future at Modern Movement is exciting. My brand is growing and word of mouth has resulted in new referral sources almost weekly. As I continue to grow and get busier I am starting to think about bringing on another PT to join my practice. I will be looking for another PT that may specialize in a different area than orthopedics. But it will be important to me to find the right person with a high level skill set and passion for their craft.

I am so thankful for all of my clients who have trusted me with their bodies, and allowed me to be a part of their physical improvement journey. I can’t wait to see where things go from here.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Breakfast/ brunch: Hash Kitchen for the Bloody Mary bar and some bites
JoJo Coffee House for some Coffee and Mimosa flights
Kaleidoscope Juice for avo toast and cold pressed juice
Olive and Ivy for patio seating, great food and great people watching

Lunch:
Zinc Bistro for cute outdoor seating and amazing food
La Grande Orange for their unique marketplace feel and great food/desserts
Essence Bakery Cafe for the best Macarons in town

Dinner :
Il Bosco Pizza
Hush Public House
Fat Ox

Cocktails and going out:
The Whining Pig for drinks and fun games
36 Below or Platform 18 for Instagram worthy cocktails and a unique experience
The Porch for patio day drinking
The Rooster Tavern for game day and a casual dive bar feel

Places to visit/Things to do:
Start the day off with a sweat session at Glory Gains Gym with Caleb Hock
Massages at Authentic Thai Massage
Day trip to Sedona – Devil’s Bridge or Cathedral Rock hikes and drinks at L’auberge by the creek
Ride bicycles on the green belt through McCormick Ranch, stop for lunch at The Vig or Luci’s at the Grove
Horseback riding at Cave Creek Outfitters to see the saguaros and true desert landscape
Spa day at the Scottsdale Princess

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It is impossible for me to dedicate a shoutout to just one person. This journey to where I am today requires a shout out to a number of people. We have to start at the very beginning to how and why I became interested in the profession. I was first introduced to physical therapy when I was 12 after dislocating my shoulder and again when I was 17 when I had surgeries on both my hips to remedy femoroacetabular impingements. The hip surgeries required extensive PT and I developed a great relationship and friendship with my PT, Scott Straker. I could not have imagined a better therapist and this is what put PT as a potential profession on my radar. I thought that it seemed like a rewarding profession and one that I could see myself being good at. Eventually, Scott became an amazing mentor to me as I pursued the profession. He is responsible for developing the Orthopedic Residency program here in Arizona, which is one of the largest reasons that I moved here.

Another mentor who shaped how I practice today is Ted Carter. He is the director of the orthopedic residency program that I completed. Ted is responsible for pushing me to be the absolute best physical therapist that I could be. He helped me develop advanced clinic competency in orthopedics including clinical reasoning, diagnosis, and treatment. He helped mold me into the therapist I am today.

I have to shoutout my parents. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the opportunity they gave me to get the education I needed to pursue my passion of becoming a PT.

Lastly, is my wife, Christa. She has been my number 1 supporter of starting my own business and I couldn’t have done it without her. Taking that leap and knowing that it may be a while before I was making money and “in the green” is a scary thing. She not only gave me the confidence to make the jump, but she was very helpful with getting Modern Movement up and running.

Website: https://www.mymodernmovement.com/about

Instagram: @modernmovementpt

Other: email for any questions or appointment inquiries: modernmovementphysicaltherapy@gmail.com Booking platform: https://modernmovement.janeapp.com/#staff_member/1

Image Credits
Gordon Ly – LY Visuals