Featuring Dr. Hayley VanBeek on the Healthy Hustling Podcast
Fuel Health & Wellness – Grand Rapids & Grandville, MI
Whether you’re an athlete, an expecting mom, or someone dealing with nagging pain, knowing when to see a physical therapist—and how to choose the right one—can make all the difference in your recovery and long-term health. On a recent episode of the Healthy Hustling Podcast, Dr. Eric Broadworth sat down with Dr. Hayley VanBeek, physical therapist and pelvic floor specialist at Fuel Health & Wellness, to answer common questions people have about starting physical therapy and how to get the best care possible.
Here’s what you need to know:
Who Should See a Physical Therapist?
If you’re dealing with any ache, pain, or injury—whether it started yesterday or months ago—you’re a great candidate for physical therapy.
“Even if the pain feels intense or you’re worried you might’ve broken something, you might not need the ER,” says Dr. VanBeek. “We can often evaluate you first and help you figure out the next step.”
Thanks to direct access laws in Michigan and many other states, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to see a PT. That means you can walk right into Fuel Health & Wellness and get an evaluation—no waiting for a primary care appointment.
How Soon Should You Start PT After an Injury?
The answer: as soon as possible.
Waiting too long can delay healing and increase your risk of complications. At Fuel, we’ve seen athletes walk in minutes after an injury and get relief and a plan to bounce back quickly.
If you’ve rested for a week and you’re still in pain—or it’s affecting your daily life—it’s time to get evaluated.
Are All Physical Therapists the Same?
Not even close. Physical therapists specialize just like doctors do.
Dr. VanBeek, for example, is a pelvic floor physical therapist, helping people with pregnancy-related issues, postpartum recovery, urinary incontinence, and more. That’s very different from someone who works primarily with post-surgical rehab or geriatrics.
If you’re an athlete, you should see a PT who works with athletes regularly. Same goes for runners, CrossFitters, weightlifters, and even postpartum women.
What Kind of Physical Therapy Model Gets the Best Results?
One of the biggest differences between clinics is how your physical therapy session time is structured.
At Fuel Health & Wellness, every session is one-on-one, customized, and focused entirely on you.
“We want to give our patients our full attention,” says Dr. Broadworth. “Whether it’s 30 or 60 minutes, that time is yours.”
In many traditional clinics, a physical therapist might evaluate you on the first visit, then pass you off to a tech or aide for future sessions. While this may work for some, many people feel they’re not progressing or getting the attention they need.Talk to one of our physical therapists at Fuel Health & Wellness today by calling or texting us at 616-757-0932.