Essential Spotlight


Danielle Kroot, Owner of Starting Line PT and Performance


W


e recently chatted with Danielle Kroot, owner of Starting Line PT and Per-


formance, to discover more about Danielle and how she began her physical therapy business.


1. Why are you passionate about your specialty or industry?


I am passionate about working with runners and triathletes to help them manage and understand over- use injuries that can occur with


these sports. As an endurance athlete myself who has experienced some of these injuries, I can understand the frustrations of needing to take time off from a sport you love. I think it is so important that everyone I work with is informed on what is going on with their body and given the tools to succeed. I am also passionate about getting this information out to endurance athletes before they experience symptoms so they can take action to decrease their risk for injury.


2. What sets you apart from other practitioners/businesses in the physical therapy field?


Unlike many physical therapy practices, I do not accept insur- ance and am considered out-of-network. I have chosen to set up a cash-based practice because it allows me to give my patients the quality care they deserve. They are able to receive my undivided attention for one hour to address their individualized needs. It is important to me to create an atmosphere where my patients can learn, improve and feel empowered to get back to the activities they love! In addition to physical therapy, I also offer strength training and running/triathlon coaching services. This allows me to work with individuals to reach their performance goals as well.


3. What can patients/clients expect from working with you? Do you offer holistic treatments?


Patients can expect a unique approach to their recovery. My


goal isn’t to provide a “quick fix” but provide my patients with the tools to create long lasting effects. I consider myself holistic in that I am looking at the person as a WHOLE. Pain is often a multifac- eted individualized experience, so it is important that I address it in that manner. In regards to alternative holistic treatments, I do provide dry needling. Despite using the same style needle as acupuncture, the techniques are different. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese Medicine that works to change the flow of Qi or energy along traditional Chinese meridians versus dry nee- dling which is based on the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems. I often use dry needling in conjunction with other manual treatments, education, and exercise.


4. What plans do you have for the future for your practice/business?


My goal is to create a resource community for the runners and triathletes of Southern Maine. I am still early on in my journey but I truly believe that knowledge is power and that athletes should have access to resources that will help them succeed.


DANIELLE IS AN AVID MARATHON RUNNER, SEEN HERE RUNNING IN THE BOSTON MARATHON


5. Tell us about the best memory you have about being a practitioner.


Being a physical therapist is incredibly rewarding and has


provided me with so many great memories. One that stands out to me is the time I was treating a woman in her mid-twenties for low back pain that she had for over 10 years. She loved to be ac- tive via running and strength training but was hesitant to do any of this because of her back pain. Our first appointment I spent most of the time educating her on what was going on and gradual ways that she could expose her body to movement and load that wouldn’t aggravate her symptoms. I reassured her that she would in fact get back to running and strength training. Having her come back the next visit and tell me that her pain went from a 7/10 to a 2/10 and that her fear of movement decreased was an incred- ible feeling. There is no need to overcomplicate things. My job as a physical therapist isn’t to make my patients dependent on my services...it is the exact opposite. I want to create independence and encourage them to maintain a healthy active lifestyle.


6. What is your philosophy of treatment?


I take pride in treating my patients, both runners and non- runners, with a personalized and evidence-based approach de- pending on their needs and goals. My multi-faceted approach to guiding athletes in the right direction incorporates education on load management, manual therapy, warm-up and cool down es- sentials, strength training, and sport specific drills. It is important to me that my patients understand they will play a role in their own recovery. We will work as a team to reach their goals. I will provide them with the tools to succeed but it will be up to them to put them to work. I don’t believe that medication, injections, or surgery should ever be the first line of defense. Patients should be educated with their various options so they can make well- educated decisions about their health care. I don’t believe I am a fixer, but a facilitator in my patient’s well-being.


10 ELM™ Maine - November/December 2018


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