Meet Sam Arrow | Physical Therapist Specializing in Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (They/Them/Theirs)

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

Hi Sam, how does your business help the community?
The muscles of the pelvic floor are amazing, they do so much for us and we give them so little thought. Most people grow up never learning about how they function, how we can use the toilet and have sex. Those muscles just do their thing. We aren’t taught by our families, the school system or even our doctors. And because of this, we don’t know that there is help when they have dysfunction or that there are small things you can do to maintain their health. We all need this information, so we can live without pelvic pain, leaking when we sneeze, and constipation, among other issues.

One person at a time, I aim to improve knowledge about the pelvic floor, let people know there is something they can do about their issues, help prevent long term complications of poor pelvic floor health and improve access to pelvic floor physical therapy. My practice is a mobile clinic, that comes to you so that small children don’t need a sitter and people who have difficulty leaving home can get the care they need. I treat every body, all genders, gender expansive individuals, and all ages, including children. While my practice doesn’t take insurance, visits can be scheduled to your needs, I offer a sliding scale and I provide Superbills for reimbursement. I create free content on TikTok so anyone can access it. My goal is to give every person the information and tools they need so they can feel better and take charge of their symptoms.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started Arrow Physical Therapy about 8 months ago when I left my position at a corporate physical therapy clinic. I loved being a pelvic floor PT but I didn’t love my job, in fact, it was really taking a toll on me. I knew there was a better way to help my patients, where they felt safe and cared for, their concerns were truly addressed, and treatments and time were not dictated by insurance. I also knew I could create a path for myself that didn’t burn me out.

So I started a mobile, cash-based physical therapy practice, that allows me to do what I love, doesn’t wear me down and I can give the kind of care that my patient’s want and deserve. Part of that process includes me having the freedom to come out as Queer and building a practice that is Gender Expansive, Trauma Informed and Body and Sex Positive.

Some parts of this journey have been difficult, unlearning social conditioning that doesn’t serve me, figuring out who I am and then finding ways for that to reflect in my practice as a physical therapist is a long path that I don’t know if I will ever find the end to. But the easy part was knowing that it is the right path.

Today I am excited to have found a community of others who are doing exactly what I am, finding authenticity in their lives and building businesses that work for them and their clients. I can also say that I love my job again because I know that as I evolve as a person, my practice will have the ability to evolve with me. Because my practice is a reflection of who I am and what is important to me, I am building a program to provide accessible care to Transgender, Intersex, Non-binary and Gender Expansive individuals.

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.
Phoenix has some amazing small businesses, fun events, shopping and restaurants and here are some of my favorites: for shopping, start at Changing Hands Bookstore (you can also get a coffee or drink at the First Draft Book Bar) then head to Phoenix General in Uptown and check out Leonor Aispuro’s sustainable fashion line, in addition to other local artists. I would stop for lunch or pastries as JL Patisserie or Ollie Vaughn’s.

On another day, grab a coffee or tea at Copper Star Coffee early and go for a hike at Phoenix Mountain Preserve. In the evening, catch a free Pop up show at the Herberger Theatre’s outdoor stage or one of the many evening events at the Phoenix Art Museum, followed by dinner at Glai Baan (if there is a wait, go next door to Rewined Beer and Wine Bar till your table is ready). Enjoy!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to thank my partner, Monica Robles for supporting me in everything I want to accomplish. She has been my number 1 fan and she uses her many talents to help me make my dreams come true, from website design, creating marketing materials, social media posts, photography and just standing by me and saying my dreams are worth fighting for. I would not have been able to take the leap to start my own business without her. Thank you baby!

Website: www.arrowphysicaltherapy.net

Instagram: @arrowphysicaltherapy

Facebook: @arrowphysicaltherapy

Other: TikTok @arrowphysicaltherapy

Image Credits
Monica Robles