Meet Brian Wong | Business Owner & Physical Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Wong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, how do you define success?
Over the past 33 years, our business has flourished even during difficult times (i.e. recessions, COVID-19) because of our business model of treating our patients like family. Unlike many who have changed their business model to fit the dwindling economic reimbursement in our industry, we continue to provide the finest of physical therapy care: by treating 1-2 patients each hour instead of 4-5 patients each hour; by only employing physical therapists to see patients rather than utilizing aides or technicians to increase profitability; by treating one patient at a time and not juggling between 3 patients at the same time. We take the time with each patient to properly care for their physical needs and to listen and empathize with their life situation and experience. For me, success is a measure of the level of achieving the goals that each person has set out to attain. True success is accomplished through serving and loving others. The ability to establish and foster close relationships with God, family, and others is my yardstick for success. This is often not realized until people are at the end of their life. The one thing that people desire the most before taking their last breath is to see their loved ones, to have one last moment with those they care most about, and to reconcile wayward relationships before they prepare to meet their Maker. It is not to live in their mansion for one more day, or to drive their fancy luxury sports car one more time, or to wear that prized Rolex watch that was earned by being the top executive at work. No, it is to experience the love of our cherished nearest and dearest ones.

What should our readers know about your business?
In 1986, twin brothers, Brian and Barry Wong, set out with the philosophy to treat each patient with the same care, compassion and concern as they would their own family. This core value was the foundation of building their practice at State-of-the-Art Physical Therapy in Orange County. What started out as a small, two treatment table, one physical therapist office has expanded to the large thriving nine physical therapist facility with the ability to assist hundreds of patients a week with their rehabilitation needs. Today, Brian Wong remains as the sole owner of State-of-the-Art Physical Therapy in Tustin. He continues to incorporate the same traditional values that launched the business over 30 years ago which is the cornerstone to providing quality individualized physical therapy. Brian leads a team of dedicated and highly skilled physical therapists whose philosophy to patient care mirrors his own; “Treat patients the same way you would treat a member of your own family.” There were a few struggles along the way. For example, many of my business deals were formed the “Jersey Boys” way. Just as Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio started their partnership with a “handshake deal”, my word was my bond. However, I quickly found out that not everyone had the same integrity. My first company was taken from me the night before opening the doors of the business when the physician that I “handshake partnered with” chose to find his own physical therapist to work the clinic. He had stolen my ideas, my concepts for pioneering a new style of physical therapy practice…something not done anywhere in the US; opening up a physical therapy clinic within a health club, as physical therapy practices were typically stand alone clinics or commonly associated with hospitals and doctors’ groups. The primary difference between my company and those around us is that we spend more time with our patients. Rather than seeing 4-5 patients per hour, each therapist sees 1-2 patients per hour to allow for quality time as well as quantity time with each patient. Imagine being able to see your doctor for an entire dedicated hour, being able to tell your doctor all of your concerns and issues that you are facing, in a relaxed, non-rushed setting. That is what we offer. Our physical therapists treat each patient, one on one, from the start of their appointment until the end of their appointment. We have a strong emphasis on manual therapy rather than handing a patient a sheet of exercises they can perform on their own. We guide our patients step by step along the way, critiquing and correcting the performance of the exercises to ensure proper biomechanics. The LA county and Orange county areas are excellent places to start a physical therapy practice. We are an active, sports oriented society that can play year-round. We put our kids in sports from an early age: as early as 3-5 years old for dance, ballet, gymnastics, baseball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, running, skiing, snowboarding, and the list goes on! With sports comes injury. With injury comes the need for rehabilitation, and proper quality and quantity rehabilitation is essential for optimal outcomes: State-of-the-Art Physical Therapy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a Disney fan and would start with a few days at the “Happiest Place on Earth”: Disneyland as well as Disney California Adventure Park. The food and snacks inside the park are a must: Dole whip, beignets, ice cream bars, and churros to start with. The Blue Bayou restaurant is great place but even better would be Club 33. Goofy’s kitchen is a fun place as well. Disney: a great place to people watch and hang out. A trip to the beach to show off the Orange County coastal views and climate would be next: -Laguna Beach -Newport Beach -San Clemente Boba drinks are the best in Orange County: -OMOMO Tea Shoppe -Orobae

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this to my twin brother Barry who has been my business partner and best friend from birth. Because of him, I have been able to have the time and inspiration to pursue opening up our own practice. He has taught me about what true success is and the steps to attain it.

Website: www.sotapt.com
Instagram: @stateoftheartphysicaltherapy
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/brian-wong-022a354
Twitter: @sotapt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateoftheart.physicaltherapy/
Yelp: state-of-the-art-physical-therapy-tustin