The world of physical therapy never stops evolving, with new techniques, research, and findings shaping the field each passing day. This constant evolution is reason enough to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry.
Luckily, you don’t need to go any further than this post, as we've compiled a list of the top 11 influencers in physical therapy in 2024. These physical therapy influencers are changing the way therapy is perceived and consumed today.
Physical therapy influencers use their platforms to share the latest research and innovative treatment methods with other professionals, patients, and the public. These influencers have the unique ability to make complex health concepts more understandable, which helps raise awareness about the importance and benefits of physical therapy, helping inspire struggling clinicians to garner more clients.
Physical therapy influencers' impact can be seen in several profound ways:
In today's digital age, social media platforms such as Instagram have become a powerful tool in the hands of physical therapy influencers. Boasting over two billion active users every month, Instagram provides an incredible platform to ignite meaningful conversations.
Here's a compilation of 11 influencers who are changing the physical therapy industry for the better.
The Prehab Guys, a team of doctorate-level physical therapists, has been gaining worldwide attention for their revolutionary approach to 'prehab' or preventative rehabilitation. They're always a step ahead, teaching athletes various recovery strategies post-injury and the proactive application of preventive techniques to avert injuries and build endurance.
According to Forbes magazine, prehab is a growing field in physical therapy, and The Prehab Guys are at the forefront of this movement. Their cutting-edge content, ranging from engaging videos and insightful blogs to free educational resources, offers immense value for PTs aspiring to integrate prehabilitation into their practices.
You can follow The Prehab Guys on Instagram @theprehabguys
Mike Reinold is a highly respected figure in the physical therapy field, with over a decade of hands-on experience in athletic training and performance enhancement. His unique methodology of constant growth and self-improvement is not just aimed at his personal journey but also at enriching the skills of his fellow clinicians.
Through his engaging Instagram posts, he offers interesting insights into his evaluative tactics and innovative therapy techniques. He stays up-to-date on the latest trends in physical therapy, making his page a valuable resource for those who aim to stay at the cutting edge of physical therapy advancements.
You can follow Mike Reinold on Instagram @MikeReinold
Karen Litzy is the founder of Karen Litzy Physical Therapy. What's special about her? Her practice stands out by bringing therapeutic treatments to patients in the comfort of their own spaces.
Litzy is an expert in sports medicine, preventive therapy, modern ways of manual therapy, and physical rehabilitation. She generously shares her unique methodologies on her website, serving as an enriching resource for other clinicians. Ultimately, Litzy’s progressive approach helps her fulfill a crucial mission: to help patients become stronger, improve their movement, and live without pain.
You can follow Karen Litzy on Instagram @karenlitzy
Often referred to simply as "Dr. Jen," Jen Esquer is the mastermind behind two ground-breaking rehabilitation programs - the Mobility Method and the Optimal Body. As a renowned physical therapist, she is not new to the spotlight. Her ground-breaking work and unique techniques have secured her features in well-known publications like Shape, Self, and Oxygen.
With expertise in mobility enhancement and pain management, Dr. Jen consistently delivers gripping and valuable content that appeals to a broad audience, which includes students, doctors, trainers, and other professionals in the field of movement therapy.
You can follow Jen Esquer on Instagram @docjenfit
If you're a therapist keen on helping runners reach their goals and break personal records, consider following Dr. Lisa. As an avid runner herself, she's devised unique physical therapy plans centered around the foot, knee, hip, and ankle. These plans blend classic rehab methods with strength and flexibility exercises.
Dr. Lisa's programs don't just help runners overcome injuries, but they also boost their stamina. Her content is engaging and insightful, offering techniques that could help your clients run longer and stronger and prevent injury recurrence.
You can follow Dr. Lisa on Instagram @Dr.Lisa.DPT
As a leading voice in pelvic physical therapy, Nicole Cozean provides practical tools and solutions. Her work is particularly beneficial for issues that often arise before and after pregnancy, such as pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain, recurring UTIs, and more.
As an innovator in her field, Cozean offers a host of resources to healthcare professionals. This ensures they stay updated and on top of the latest developments in pelvic medicine.
You can follow Nicole Cozean on Instagram @nicolecozeandpt
Bobby Esbrandt is not just your average sports performance coach or conditioning expert. In fact, he holds the distinction of being among the first certified providers of blood flow restriction (BFR) training in Maryland. When he's not exploring new areas in exercise science, he leads Impact Sports, which focuses on top-notch physical therapy, especially for injury recovery. It also plays a key role in connecting medical recovery, sports, and impact sports physical therapy.
Esbrandt's all about empowering athletes. His informative video content aims to guide athletes on their journey toward improved strength and decreased injury risk. Specializing in spinal manipulation, he offers unique insights into managing cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine dysfunctions.
You can follow Bobby Esbrandt on Instagram @BobbySportsPT
Josh Funk, inspired by his own healing journey after a serious sports injury, turned to physical therapy. Ever since, his goal has been to enhance people's lives, whether they're athletes or recovering from a surgical procedure.
In 2016, he established Rehab-2-Perform, a physical therapy practice with the mission of strengthening patients and empowering them with the knowledge to sustain their enhanced physical condition.
You can follow Josh Funk on Instagram @drjoshfunk
Dan Ginader is a physical therapist based in Indianapolis. Using social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Dr. Dan effectively reaches a large audience by offering helpful and engaging advice. His eye-catching videos provide practical tips for patients and professionals alike, showing how physical therapists can build an influential online space.
Being an athlete himself in his younger days, Dr. Dan integrates his sports background into his therapy technique. He graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Dr. Dan is passionate about helping athletes get back on track and enhancing their performance by blending his physical therapy experience with his sports knowledge. This unique approach sets him apart and makes his content resonate with many people in the sports community.
You can follow Dan Ginader on Instagram @dr.dan_dpt
Annie Aranton, known mononymously as "Annie," is a prominent physical therapy influencer. She shares diverse content, including videos, guides, and educational courses. Annie's focus is on Pilates, yoga, health tips, pain relief, and women's health.
Therapists can enhance their knowledge by attending Annie's six-part masterclass. This course consists of over 70 videos teaching the Core and Back Immersion (CBI) method. CBI combines Pilates and yoga to safely fortify the core and back muscles.
You can follow Annie Pilates on Instagram @anniepilatesphysicaltherapist
Nick Hannah is a physical therapist and former NFL professional. He understands first-hand the demands of high-level sports on the body. Nick combines manual therapy with strength and conditioning, focusing on changing movement patterns and achieving top physical performance. This unique approach resonates well with his subscribers.
However, his approach isn't just physical. Nick also offers life coaching and talent development, acknowledging the role of mental health in the sound functioning of the human body. Moreover, he provides a range of useful resources that therapists can print and use in their practices, sharing the expertise he has combined from his unique experiences.
You can follow Nick Hannah on Instagram @hannahmoves
Keeping your physical therapy practice current and competitive means using the latest trends and techniques. Here are some ways you can find popular influencers that align with your practice's goals and values.
Before you set out to find influencers, you must define your practice's objectives and understand your patients' unique needs. Are you a sports physiotherapy practice looking to improve athlete recovery techniques, or perhaps your focus is on elderly care? Knowing your specific area will help find influencers who are experts in these fields.
Many skilled physical therapists are active on social media, using platforms like Instagram and YouTube. They share their knowledge, new methods, and patient achievements. Spend some time browsing these platforms, look for hashtags related to your work, and engage with content that aligns with your practice.
Exploring physical therapy blogs and podcasts is a great way to get useful insights into the world of physical therapy. Many top influencers, like Mike Reinold and Karen Litzy, regularly use these platforms to share their knowledge and research. Make sure to follow these blogs and podcasts to stay updated with the latest information.
Online platforms such as Followerwonk and Klear are beneficial in discovering popular influencers. These tools assess different aspects, like how engaged followers are, how relevant the influencer is to your campaign, and their overall presence on social media, to offer you a selection of potential influencers who could enhance your practice.
Just having a lot of followers and interesting content doesn't always mean that someone is influential. Look at how they engage with their audience - do people actively comment, share, and follow their advice? True influence is seen in the interactions an influencer has with their followers.
The physical therapy landscape thrives on continuous improvement. Thought leaders constantly share novel approaches and best practices for better physical health. However, implementing these advancements efficiently requires the right tools. This is where Empower EMR steps in.
Empower EMR equips therapists with a comprehensive platform to:
By leveraging these capabilities, therapists can:
Ready to unlock the potential of data-driven therapy and exceptional communication? Book a demo today.
