Meet Amanda Collier | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

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

Hi Amanda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I first went into physical therapy, I saw it as an area of medicine that really got to spend time with patients and teach them how to thrive. But during my first 5 years in practice working in an insurance based system, I learned that our insurance system isn’t set up to allow that for health consumers. Instead of getting to teach people true health and wellness and treating them all the way through, I felt my hands bound by the rules of their insurance company. I was being forced to discharge people before I felt they were ready and no one could come see me for help and guidance until there was already something that insurance classified as “wrong.” If someone was seeing me for low back pain, I could only treat their low back. But what if their diet and stress level was a huge factor in their pain? I wasn’t allowed to go there because insurance said so. It felt more like a “sick care” system to me than it did the healthcare system I had envisioned myself in.

I started The Nourished PT as an out of network practice to provide true health and wellness and a whole person approach to treatment for my patients. I believe that people deserve to be the ones in the driver’s seat when it comes to their health, to be allowed to take a preventative approach to their health, and to reach the goal of returning to thriving, not just getting by. This whole person approach to health was that driving force behind my decision to start my own practice!

What should our readers know about your business?
The Nourished PT is an out of network physical therapy practice which enables me to take a whole person approach to care and I specialize in women’s pelvic health. I’m passionate about spreading the word that there are so many treatment options for women for common pelvic floor conditions! Pelvic floor dysfunction is not something that we have to learn to live with just because we are women, or just because we’ve had a baby. Common is not the same as normal.

I think what truly sets my practice apart is my focus not just on a whole person approach to health and wellness, but my passion for preventative care and education. Now that I’m not bound by the rules of an insurance company, I get to see my patients for wellness visits and check-ins and provide education to help them thrive, not just survive. I specifically love getting to do birth prep visits with my patients – these are visits that provide body prep for giving birth as well as guidance for choosing a birthing plan so that women are empowered to be in the driver’s seat of their birthing experience. I believe that there shouldn’t have to be something “wrong” during pregnancy for a women to get to see a obstetric physical therapist and receive this kind of guidance – every women should know this is available to them! Additionally, pregnancy and giving birth brings on major changes to a women’s body. I believe that all women benefit from an assessment from a pelvic floor trained PT after giving birth and deserve guidance to reconnect with her body. This shouldn’t only be offered when something is “wrong,” it should be the standard.

My greatest challenge in business has come from creating a practice that goes against the norm of traditional healthcare. It’s a hurdle to show people that this way of doing things can be more beneficial than what they are accustomed to. But I’ve learned that every hurdle in business can be overcome as long as you remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. And I truly believe that this version of healthcare provides true, patient centered care and it’s the best way I can care for my patients – as long as I remember that, I can keep overcoming the challenges.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One place I love to take my friends that visit is downtown Golden! I love to take them to walk along Clear Creek, to grab a pizza at Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza, and grab some beers at Mountain Toad. I also always love an excuse to visit Holidaily Brewing company for some gluten free beers and awesome gluten free food from whatever food truck they have that day.

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?
Definitely my mom! My mom has been a huge support to me since I branched out on my own. Her cheering me on has been a big component in my belief that I could really do this thing on my own! In the beginning, if doubt started to creep in, I would remember that she really believed I could succeed on my own and that helped me continue taking the leap in business over and over again.

Website: https://thenourishedpt.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.nourished.pt/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenourishedpt