Phase 1 Physical Therapy, PS

Your first phase towards injury prevention and recovery

Story by: Rebecca Simon

Phase 1 Physical Therapy, PS  owned and operated by Joel San Nicolas, PT, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, CPI, is temporarily located at 5928 Highway 291 in Nine Mile Falls.  What exactly do the initials stand for?  Physical Therapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, National Strength and Conditioning Association-Certified Personal Trainer® and Certified Physician Investigator, all of these credentials add up to a professional who not only diagnoses the root to physical limitations, but also knows what it takes to restore, maintain and promote optimal function, wellness and fitness.  And for those in ‘good health’ these credentials stand for someone who knows how to train to prevent future injuries.  They also back up Phase 1 Physical Therapy, PS’s slogan ‘your first phase towards injury prevention and recovery’.

Joel San Nicolas’s professional affiliations include; member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Washington State Physical Therapy Association and of the APTA- Orthopedic Section with special interests in Foot and Ankle, Occupational Health and Pain Management, and Pilates Instructor.  Joel’s training in the physical therapy field started as a Graduate with Honors from Eastern Washington University’s Department of Physical Therapy (PT) in 1989. Upon graduation he began his career in PT at Shiners Hospital for Crippled Children in Spokane.  In 1991 Joel received a military commission with the United States Air Force and served at Fairchild Air Force Base in the Department of Physical Therapy.  With the fulfillment of his military duties, Joel remained in the Spokane area and practiced Physical Therapy in the outpatient healthcare field.  Then on March 19, 2003, he started Phase 1 Physical Therapy, PS.

Services currently provided at Phase 1 Physical Therapy, PS include; “manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, electrotherapeutic applications, phototherapy, Game Ready TM accelerated recovery system application, home management and self-care, and functional training for job, school, and play…  general orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, including the nationally renowned SportsmetricsTM programs for athletes, gait analysis, orthotic casting, strength and conditioning program development, Pilates exercise instruction, infrared sauna and massage therapy services.”  The Clinic is also a “Certified Clinical Site for the Cincinnati Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation… The World Leaders in Injury Prevention for Female Athletes.”  Unlike many physical therapy clinics, Phase 1 is able to, and will, provide multiple treatments during therapy appointments, allowing better utilization of your time and quicker recoveries.

To add to the 2007 fourth anniversary celebration, physical momentum towards the building of a permanent home for Phase 1 Physical Therapy, PS and also the NEW Suncrest Fitness Center, Inc. became OFFICIAL.  The NEW 9700+ square foot, million dollar facility will be located approximately 1.5 miles west on Highway 291 from their current location.  In addition to the current services provided, additional amenities will include;

• An expanded Physical Therapy clinic with 6 treatment rooms for physical and massage therapy.
• Daycare facility
• Men’s and Women’s locker rooms complete with showers and saunas
• $150,000 of high tech, state of art aerobic and strengthening equipment to include free and "Grab and Go®" technology machine weights, treadmills, stair steppers, elliptical trainers, walk thru recumbent cycles and more.  High quality equipment found in collegiate settings and very few upper end gyms.
• 2 Racket Ball Courts
• Multipurpose room for Pilates, yoga, dance, martial arts and tumbling complete with mirrored walls, surround sound and instructor microphone capabilities.
• Tanning facility (spray on applications, a healthier alternative)
• Beverage bar with your favorite espresso drinks, slushies and popular sports drinks
• Soft goods store with t-shirts, workout accessories, racquetballs, etc. and limited racket ball rentals will be available.

This list is only a few of the additions and is only the first phase of the new facility.  The second and third phases will include a lap pool and basketball courts.

Together the Fitness Center and Physical Therapy Clinic will offer, as Joel states ‘complete whole cycle care’ for members and patients under the supervision of qualified personnel.  This setup will allow PT patients to continue strengthening exercises, with the ultimate goal of promoting healthier lifestyles.  To provide an atmosphere with resources Healthier Lifestyles, Suncrest Fitness Center will be seeking out qualified and experienced individuals in the fields of Nutrition, Cardio and/or Strength Instruction, Personal Training, etc.  Contact Joel at Phase 1 Physical Therapy, PS for more information - 465-5663.

The approvals, applications and surveys are already in motion!  Blueprints are ready and Joel anticipates the breaking of ground in May with a 4-6 month turn, around making the facility finished and open for business by September or October 2007.  Memberships will be available on a week-to-week and month-to-month basis and competitive for our area market.  Discounts will be available for current patients and annual prepayment memberships.  WATCH FOR CHARTER MEMBERSHIPS to become available around JULY!

As a resident of Suncrest, Joel contributes a lot through his active involvement in the Lake Spokane community.  He offers his background and training as a ‘pro-bono’ service at Lakeside High School football and basketball games.  He and his family are active in the Relay for Life held at the high school.  And he is a member of the Stevens County Citizens Action Team, the Lake Spokane Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Spokane Protection Association.

Take advantage of professional services available in your own backyard.  To small business owners such as Joel San Nicolas and other local business owning residents, you are more than a number.  You are a person with a name in need of positive, quality services and products!