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About Dr. Angie Traverso
Dr. Angie Traverso’s Top Five Products
Why Physical Therapy
Making an Impact
Advice for Other Physical Therapists
About Dr. Angie Traverso
Dr. Angela (Angie) Traverso, PT, has worked at Spine and Sports Physical Therapy in Concord, California, for nearly five years. On the San Francisco East Bay, she serves as an orthopedic certified specialist, clinic manager, site coordinator for clinical education, and facilitates a mentorship program. She received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and later graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University in 2012. Angie has been a practicing physical therapist for ten years.
Dr. Angie Traverso’s Top Five Products
Why Physical Therapy
Since she was a child, Angie knew she always wanted to help others. For years, she thought being a pediatrician was her calling.
“I knew I wanted to be a doctor, always,” Angie said.
However, as time went on, her path led her in another direction. With experience playing soccer and softball doing something with sports seemed natural for Angie. After her first semester in college, she changed directions and instead of utilizing her kinesiology degree to go to medical school, she decided to take the physical therapy track her university offered.
Angie was later glad she made this choice. In her senior year at San Diego State, she was able to take a clinical emphasizing in pediatrics. Recognizing how much ten hours with younger patients can take out of you, combined with working on a class project creating an exercise program, Angie determined what would be in her future. To avoid burnout, she didn’t want to work all day, every day with pediatric patients, instead she wanted to help create programs to help people better their health – no matter their age. The rest is history.
Making an Impact
Before managing the clinic in Concord, Angie served as a site coordinator for Spine and Sports Physical Therapy. When discussing with her boss, Kevin Takao, how she could further her career, an idea came to mind. Back when Angie was just starting out as a practicing physical therapist, she wished someone was able to help mentor her. Kevin said he also wished he had similar support.
With that idea in mind, Angie started paving the way for a mentorship program in 2019 to help bridge the gap between coming in as a new graduate and starting to practice within Spine and Sports Physical Therapy.
“This gives them time to reflect, think about their patients and brainstorm with each other – like grand rounds. I also do 12 lectures throughout the year,” Angie said.
These lectures allow physical therapists who are just starting out to learn more or get a refresher on different parts of the body. Aside from getting a review on orthopedics, Angie also says the program allows the physical therapists to work collaboratively. This might mean bouncing treatment ideas off each other or working together on ideas for how to help treat tougher patient injuries.
Angie says each year there have been anywhere from three to seven new physical therapists who take part in the mentorship program, depending on how many new graduates join their company. The program has also been successful in adding niche programs to their clinic locations. These programs range from learning more about Parkinson’s research and how to treat it, to clinicians finding their specialty that they want to offer at the clinic and helping them determine how to reach their goals.
Advice for Other Physical Therapists
Angie says having a sense of community and someone to bounce ideas off is very beneficial. The feeling of making a difference in other peoples’ lives has also helped her feel fulfilled.
“I get to share that [physical therapy] knowledge with people to change their lives,” Angie said. “My coworkers help me come to work each day. Plus, I have the best boss, Kevin.”
Angie says being allowed the opportunity to run one-third of his practice has helped her learn so much about leadership and herself. This has also tied into her openness to learn more within the realm of physical therapy.
“Remain curious and have an open mind when it comes to helping patients get better,” Angie said. “There are so many different ways to help your patient be successful in their environment.”
As for what Performance Health product she thinks everyone should be using?
Angie says THERABAND® resistance bands are her favorite because they are so versatile.
“I like to have one in my pocket all day,” Angie said. “We use THERABAND [resistance bands] for every single patient that walks through our doors. At some point, for some reason or another, our patients will get their hands on one.”
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