Meet Dr. Robert Thomsen: Doctor of Physical Therapy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Robert Thomsen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Robert, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After 5 years working in the physical therapy field in a standard outpatient orthopedic and sports clinic, I felt something was missing. Healthcare centered too much on the provider instead of the patient. However, we as healthcare providers often talk about patient-centered care and rightfully so as that’s precisely who the care should be centered around. So, I started to think how better could I flip this back around to make the patient the center of focus again. Thus, the seed for Thomsen Elite Physio and Performance was planted with the idea of taking physical therapy to the patient, integrating myself into their life and lifestyle vs. the other way around.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m most proud of the fact that I built a business that not only allows me to do something I love, but also that I feel is helping to mold a new path in the field of physical therapy that better serves the patient. It is patient centered with a focus on the patients whole lifestyle, not just their injury. I bring physical therapy into their own environment (home, office, athletic setting, etc.). This aids in better assessing how they move and teaching them to use these spaces more advantageously which in turn gets them better sooner. I work together with the patient to create a network of healthcare and fitness providers focused on their needs, pushing them to become a better advocate for their own health. The process of getting to where I am now was neither easy or all that difficult as I had a great mentor to help me get started which made the biggest difference. Between that and a lot of my own research talking to other business owners with similar practices, I was able to figure out what was needed to begin my business and tips to achieve success from keeping track of money to marketing for new patients. Though even to this day, I am still learning better ways to run my business as well as to better treat my patients. It’s a never-ending learning process, but I truly love being able to share my passion for the human body with those that are in need.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Top of the list would be a sunset hike up in Griffith Park. West coast sunsets are hands down the best and to watch it from above the city and then see the city lights come on is absolutely incredible. The Getty Museum and Villa both offer stunning architecture, landscaping, and of course art. A trip to the beach is always a must and while Santa Monica is most typical, I actually prefer Manhattan Beach due to the quiet charm with much less tourists. There’s a wonderful Italian restaurant down there called Mama D’s if it’s survived the pandemic that makes pretty much everything from scratch and makes you feel very welcome. West Hollywood and the gay bars definitely are one of the best places to go out where you can run into people from all walks of life and dance the night away or dance down the street to the next bar. I always try to take someone to a show either at the Pantages or Hollywood Bowl as well as a sporting event. If you’re a sports fan, doesn’t matter what sport, you must check out the LAFC stadium and catch a game there. There is nothing like it! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I absolutely have to recognize Dr. Anique Walters, physical therapist, friend, and fellow entrepreneur working to change the field of physical therapy. She and I worked together for 3-4 years and I knew there was something special about her. We both had a different way of thinking about things in the clinic and treating patients compared to our colleagues and both recognized there was more we could be doing for our patients. She left a year before I did to pursue her own dream of taking physical therapy to the settings where patients were actually having issues instead of them coming into the clinic. The next year, when I decided to take the leap myself, she was there every step of the way to help mentor me and continues to be there for me if needed.

Website: www.thomsenelitphysio.com

Instagram: @rob.thom6, @thomsenelitephysio

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thomsenelitephysio

Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/thomsen-elite-physio-and-performance-los-angeles-3