Category: Fun & Sundry

Our awesome team of guiding physical therapists and volunteers are all smiles at our dance injury screening!

March 23rd marked SPEAR’s collaboration with Columbia Dance Medicine on a complimentary dance injury prevention screening for the NYC community! The second of its kind, our team of physical therapists volunteered to help the dancers evaluate their strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. Many of the advising physical therapists on site were dancers themselves, pulling from their own personal range of dance backgrounds in ballet, Horton, musical theatre, salsa, and Irish step to guide participants through a series of assessment exercises. The team also recommended effective warm-up and conditioning practices, while asking questions to better understand not only dancers’ individual habits, physicalities, and experiences, but also the unique demands of their styles and training regimens.

Ninia Agustin, PT, DPT & Clinical Director of our Plaza Hotel clinic

“Dancers are an extreme outside of the normal patient population,” says Clinical Director Ninia Augustin. Oftentimes they come in with entirely different needs and skill sets from the average patient, such as hypermobility and pointework. Their goals when pushing their bodies to new extremes, or their desires not to miss out on training opportunities, can often be unnecessarily pitted against their doctors’ and therapists’ interests in helping them take the time to recover from injuries. “Sometimes I’ll put my hat on, and I’ll say, as a dancer yes, as a PT maybe not, but maybe [we can] figure out a way to mesh the two worlds together; I think that’s what’s lacking in the healthcare industry.”  

When beginning to train at such a young age, dancers may also develop a higher pain tolerance and have trouble distinguishing soreness that comes with building strength, from potentially concerning signs like sharp pain that may indicate something is wrong. “They’re so hyper-aware of every minutiae in their body, and they…don’t necessarily have the verbiage to explain how they’re feeling,”says Dr. Julia Iafrate of Columbia Sports Medicine. This can make it all the more difficult to address potential issues before they become major injuries requiring extensive rehabilitation, or to even know what questions are most useful to consider.

A common question that arose during the screening, for example, is the minimum age at which young dancers should begin dancing en pointe (or on their toes). But as Dr. Iafrate points out, the answer often depends on many factors, including arch strength and ankle stability, that are more difficult to assess and do not consistently correlate with age categories. And while for many years, most forms of dance have incorporated static stretching into students’ warm-ups to improve flexibility, it is now common knowledge among most PTs and sports medicine doctors that static stretching, if not preceded by proper warm-up, can actually lead to more injuries.

Gwen Giffard, PT, DPT, leads a dancer through an airplane test

Upon reflecting on what she learned from the screening, SPEAR physical therapist Gwen Giffard laughed and remarked, “I learned it’s really hard to do an airplane test.”  As our PTs rose to try the exercises they had just guided the dancers through moments before, one element became clear: finding opportunities to improve communication between dancers and PTs will undoubtedly improve a dancer’s overall health, and thus the longevity of their abilities to continue on with their passion.

Our injury prevention screenings aim not only to help participants become more familiar with their own bodies, but to educate dancers, parents, and teachers. With the knowledge they acquire, they may better articulate and analyze their biomechanical inefficiencies, and thus make the most of their physical therapy sessions. SPEAR’s budding dance medicine team hopes to encourage dancers to invest in more long-term relationships with their physical therapists so that we can work together not just for recovery, but for improved prevention of major injuries as well.

Gratitude for 20 Years of SPEAR

by: Dan Rootenberg, CEO

To the Entire SPEAR Team:

March 22, 2019, marks twenty years since SPEAR first opened its doors.  Wow, just wow.

Please allow me to take a brief walk down memory lane so I can reflect on where we are today and share SPEAR’s humble beginnings with you.  March 22, 1999 – 20 years ago today:  Dave and I (with a lot more hair – see pic below) attended a talk about ski conditioning at my local Equinox gym where we met Dr. Glashow, a surgeon from Lenox Hill Hospital who was the guest speaker.  SPEAR then was not SPEAR now.  Dave and I each handed the doctor a business card that I had printed up at home that afternoon.  Mine had my home address. Dave’s had his home address.  The doctor thought we had two locations, was very impressed, and sent over SPEAR’s very first patient Vito Tricarico, a friendly, retired NYC architect, who walked into our rental gym space to be treated post-shoulder surgery.

1999: Our first pic as co-founders!

Dave and I first met at a wedding.  We were not invited guests. Dave was a waiter and I was a valet parker.  It was the first week of PT school and we recognized each other in the catering kitchen.  We became friends very quickly and realized that we shared an ethos, a grinder’s mentality, a “do whatever it takes” attitude.  We found that we had a lot in common besides being wedding crashers.  We both lost our fathers at a young age and recognized that nothing in life is handed to you, owed to you or should be expected.  You make your own luck and create your own breaks.   Eight years later, when Ryan Kitzen joined the company, he shared a similar story and attitude.  I realize now that the thread of overcoming circumstances, of bringing a smile without entitlement, has been so woven into our company from the very start.  As I look around at our team today, I clearly see a connection to SPEAR’s origin story.  Call it the “law of attraction” or call it our culture, we are fortunate to have 325 humble, talented, hard-working, caring team members.  For that, I am extremely grateful.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts (in no particular order because it takes all of us working together!) of our team.  The care coordinators who pay attention to setting the welcoming vibe for every patient that walks through our door.  The award-winning therapists, who give of themselves so selflessly, passionate about making their patients lives better.   Our techs, who are out there on the floor every day making sure our patients have a positive healing experience.   And the HQ team who (has to put up with me every day) manages the behind the scenes magic to make the company run like a company.  I owe deep thanks as well to our talented and skilled Directors and Regional Directors who lead with heart and lead by example every day.

Twenty years is hard to believe.  The emotion of GRATITUDE comes to the forefront of my mind.  I truly appreciate all that we have accomplished together.  The awards are special, but I read somewhere never to inhale.  Receiving the pinnacle industry award – the APTA’s private practice section, Practice of the Year – was a highlight for us. One that we celebrated.  We don’t stop there, however.  I see much greater heights in the distance.   I see our company growing the SPEAR way, the right way, and the thoughtful way.   I see us graduating our 100th team member through our SPEAR future leader program.   I see creating opportunities for growth for those that want it and have the discipline to develop the skill set.   I see SPEAR transcending excellence in PT and adding state of the art wellness services that elevate our brand and increases patients’ expectation every time they walk through our doors.  I see many more people benefitting from our special brand of physical therapy and wellness, with a much broader footprint.

2019: SPEAR ensuring no middle school child in NYC avoids trying out for a baseball or softball team because they can’t afford a glove or bat

Spring started this week.  Spring has always been a special time for me.  The weather is getting nicer, the flowers are starting to bloom, but really and most importantly, it’s time for the baseball season.  I have coached over 200 kids in the past decade and sit on the board for two little leagues, one in Manhattan (PSLL) and one in Brooklyn (Bonnies Youth Club) for inner-city kids, where I also played.  I give up most of my afternoons during the spring to bring the concepts that have made SPEAR a special place, to these kids.  We talk about what it means to be a good teammate, what a winner looks like, the importance of grit, hard work, and goal setting.  Just this week I was honored to speak to all the middle school coaches of Manhattan about keeping kids safe and the importance of correct throwing biomechanics.  As some of you may recall, at our last annual Picnic in the Park, we pledged $10,000 to the middle schools of NYC.  I am proud to say that we made good on that pledge and delivered equipment to all the city boys’ baseball and girls’ softball programs.  Every team got five beautiful leather baseball gloves and a bat, and every girls’ softball team additionally got a pair of catchers’ gear.  No child this year will be too embarrassed to try out for their school team because they couldn’t afford a glove.

SPEAR’s annual picnic in the park which evolved from a small kick-ball game to a day of celebrating “SPEAR-it”, with an egg toss, tug of war, talent show laden celebration.

Thanks for taking the time to read my note. Apologies for the length, but since 20 years can pass in the blink of an eye, I truly appreciate you taking a few minutes to allow me to reflect on SPEAR’s past, present and future.  We are making a difference in peoples’ lives every day.  This year, we will positively impact the lives of thirty THOUSAND New Yorkers.  I hear the stories and get letters from grateful patients whose lives you have made better. Today, as I reflect over 20 years, how it all started by showing up to talk at Equinox and then renting a single room in a midtown gym, I am filled with pride and gratitude.  We have 18 locations and over 150 talented therapists.  Vito Tricarico, if he were alive, would no doubt have a huge smile on his face, and give us a big laugh and huge hug (and pose for a SPEAR social media pic!).  I can’t wait to see how we continue to grow together and continue to heal the world – one person at a time.

Thank you for your commitment to the team, whether you have been here 20 years or 20 days.

With Gratitude,

Dan

Before tearing her ACL on a ski trip in Lake Placid, Caitlyn was an active 28 year old in New York City. Pilates, skiing, running and kettlebell workouts were common parts of her everyday life. After her diagnosis, Caitlin reached out to us at SPEAR to begin treatment to strengthen her body; coming to SPEAR allowed Caitlin to feel better prepared for her approaching ACL surgery, scheduled for late April.

At the beginning of May, Caitlyn returned to SPEAR to continue physical therapy sessions. She recalls her most memorable moment as the day she was able to complete a full pedal stroke on the stationary bike. Just a few weeks later, she was cleared to walk without her brace!

By the summer of 2018, Caitlyn had resumed her active lifestyle and even traveled to Utah to tackle a big hiking trip. When asked to describe her experience, Caitlin stated: “My body feels fully recovered—it’s like night and day. I can do high-level Pilates, hike, and I am back to doing my normal workouts. All in all it was a slow process, but the progress was so rewarding and each day felt like an improvement.” Though an ACL injury can prove to be cumbersome, Caitlin is a prime example of what perseverance looks like. She’s turned her injury into a positive, and now has a better appreciation for apartment building elevators and ice packs! Caitlyn has just returned to the slopes again this winter and she’s excited to scale more mountains, both figuratively and literally, in her future.

Thank you, Caitlyn, for allowing the SPEAR team to be a part of your incredible journey getting Back to Life. We are so happy to see you doing what you love. We know that Life Can’t Wait—you’ve got to go out and tackle those obstacles!

Every summer for the last decade, SPEAR has gathered team members from every office for our annual Picnic in the Park, a day of bonding and excitement in New York City’s Central Park.

This year’s Picnic on July 21^st did not disappoint! Employees came together for fun, games and off the charts team building that reminded everyone what it means to be part of the SPEAR family.

The anticipation throughout the clinics leading up to this event is palpable, with everyone ready to bring their A-game to any challenge placed in front of them. Beginning with SPEAR-IT Week, each location participated in a daily photo competition on social media, bringing forth their most creative interpretations of themes like Music Festival Monday and Fat Tuesday.

SPEAR Penn Plaza getting into the Mardi Gras SPEAR-IT on Fat Tuesday

All of this lead up to the big events starting Friday afternoon, first with a truly wacky Scavenger Hunt starting from each team’s respective location to Central Park. The Picnic planning committee put real thought into having people step out of their comfort zones with every task on their list. They had to leap frog down Fifth Avenue, start a dance party on a subway car and take a picture with a group of tourists using their own camera, among many other fantastically fun things. The SPEAR-IT Week events culminated in an epic Lip Sync Battle (57^th Street “put a ring on it” and the judges said YES…to them winning) and the beloved Egg Toss with Dan and Ryan taking the cake yet again and making it a 3-peat as reigning champs.

Egg Toss champs 3 years in a row – Dan Rootenberg & Ryan Kitzen

When all was said and done, Penn Plaza accumulated the most points and were crowned SPEAR-IT week champions!

2017 Picnic in the Park Champions, the Penn Plaza Panthers, celebrate with the coveted Picnic in the Park trophy!

The SPEAR Team Gets Thrown a Curveball

The final event of the day, the highly anticipated Relay Race, was shaken from the core when Sara Hovsepian, Revenue Cycle Director and head of the Picnic in the Park committee, announced that all of the offices would be divided up randomly into eight teams represented by colors. Introducing, SPEAR’s first ever…Color War.

Suddenly team members from all of SPEAR’s 15 locations were thrust into a team with colleagues they’d never met before, initiating each other with colored face powder. Spontaneously they started creating team chants, strategizing and supporting one another as if they’d known each other for years. In the end, the Red Team came up victorious, led by SPEAR’s CEO and Co-Founder, Dan Rootenberg.

Hovsepian was blown away by what she witnessed that day, saying “This relay race was really challenging in more ways than one. There were high volume burpees, air squats and sit-ups, and everyone had to do at least one rep. No one could take a back seat. We wanted people to be uncomfortable; great things happen when you’re uncomfortable. To see everyone rallying together, yelling and cheering for their new teammates, most of whom they’d just met, was incredible”.

In the heat of the Relay Race, the “Red” team cheers on their teammates through an intense round of burpees.

The newest members of the SPEAR team, in particular, expressed how meaningful this new color challenge was for them—to be initiated into the SPEAR culture by some of our veterans, and to feel first-hand the one-ness of the SPEAR team.

Hovesepian went on to say, “This latest picnic was a tribute to the amazing people that make up the SPEAR team, and to how choosing great individuals translates into superior experiences not only for our patients, but for each other as well. We are always looking for people that enjoy making a human connection. They make better partners, friends and co-workers, and do a better service to our patients”.

Team SPEAR-IT in action!

Last month, SmartCEO Magazine gathered more than 300 executives to celebrate 60 of New York’ s fastest-growing companies. For the fifth year, SPEAR Physical Therapy was among the companies honored–recognized again for its dramatic and continued growth in both revenue and employee numbers.

Jaime Nespor-Zawmon, President of SmartCEO, said of this year’s Future 50 winners: “These passionate and driven entrepreneurs embody the true definition of leadership. We honor them for their unwavering commitment to building their businesses, shaping our communities and making our region a better place to work and live.”

Good Times (but no drums!)

You might remember, last year’s Future 50 gala saw SPEAR founder and CEO Dan Rootenberg end the evening behind a drum kit, entertaining the masses. This year’s event was no less festive, with many of the SPEAR Team in attendance to celebrate the exciting occasion.

“Winning the future 50 for five years straight is a testament to the growth of our executive leadership team,” Rootenberg explains. “It’s extremely rewarding for me, personally, to see the development of the leaders in our organization, who live and breathe our shared values. When you have alignment culturally and structurally, great things happen.”

The future continues to burn bright for SPEAR, as they prepare to launch two brand-new locations: one in Tribeca (our second downtown location), and the other in Brooklyn Heights–the first outside the  borough of Manhattan. The added convenience of these new locations will mean the chance to rehab more New Yorkers, quickly and safely.