We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Christina Garcia Ramirez and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Christina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After spending many years working in traditional physical therapy clinic settings, we noticed a troubling trend: each year, we were expected to see more patients, for less time, and with decreasing support. As a result, the quality of care we were providing began to suffer. We recognized that this was largely due to declining reimbursement rates from insurance companies, which drove the need for higher patient volumes. So, we decided to cut out the middleman.
Our goal was simple: deliver the high-quality physical therapy we knew we were capable of providing, without compromising care. By limiting the number of clients we see, we’re able to offer a truly personalized experience—something that’s often missing in the traditional healthcare model. Additionally, we wanted to reclaim control over our work-life balance and avoid the burnout that’s so prevalent in healthcare today.
Our mission is twofold: to provide exceptional care to our clients and to create a practice model that allows physical therapists to work the way they envisioned when they first entered the field, with a focus on quality, not quantity.
What should our readers know about your business?
My business partner and I took a leap of faith and went all in on our business in September 2023. It was daunting to leave the security of employment and a steady paycheck, but we were driven by a desire to improve not only our own work-life balance but also the quality of care we provide for our clients. We wanted to create a better work environment for ourselves and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve.
We’re introducing a unique business model for physical therapy in the South Houston area. Our practice is 100% mobile, meaning we go directly to our clients—whether they’re at home, at the office, at the gym, or even on the golf course. We bring everything we need to them, allowing our clients to fit physical therapy and wellness sessions into their busy schedules with ease.
One of the things that sets us apart is our mostly private-pay model, which allows us to offer higher-quality, one-on-one sessions and be available to our clients around the clock for communication and support. For those with traditional Medicare, we submit claims directly, and for other clients, we provide superbills to submit for possible reimbursement. We also accept HSA/FSA cards for added convenience.
Building the business has been an incredible learning experience, both in terms of business practices and personal growth. One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is the importance of clear communication—especially when it comes to explaining who our model is best suited for. While our approach isn’t the right fit for everyone, it’s perfect for those looking for personalized, convenient care.
We’ve also learned that maintaining a healthy work-life balance requires setting boundaries and staying true to ourselves and our values. By doing so, we’re able to not only run a successful business but also preserve the quality of life that initially inspired us to start this journey.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since my business partner and I are both moms of young children, any visit from our best friends would likely involve taking our kids along for the fun. We’d make sure to hit some of our favorite family-friendly spots in the area!
We’d start with the Galveston Children’s Museum and explore the Moody Gardens pyramids, which are always a hit with the little ones. A visit to Galveston Island State Park would be perfect for a nature walk, followed by a stop at the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Texas City Museum to see the model trains in action on a Saturday. For an animal-filled day, we’d head to the Houston Zoo or the Houston Botanic Garden for some fresh air and beautiful scenery.
Closer to Seabrook, we’d take the kids to Bounce and Play for some indoor fun and hit the Seabrook Trails for a leisurely walk, followed by a treat at Seabrook Waffle Company.
For something a little more unique, Dr. Camaron, who’s from Galveston, loves cruising around the bay on her parents’ boat or RV camping in the Hill Country, which would add some outdoor adventure to the itinerary. Meanwhile, Dr. Christina enjoys staying active and discovering new places, so we’d definitely take the kids to sing karaoke in Bellaire, visit the Houston Interactive Aquarium in Humble, and check out the Alligator Encounter in Anahuac.
It would be a week packed with local flavor, adventure, and plenty of fun for both kids and adults!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We’ve had tremendous support along our journey in starting our business, and we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of many. First and foremost, we worked with Uncaged Clinician, a group of private-pay physical therapists who mentor others in opening their own practices. Their guidance on logistics and market presence was invaluable in getting us off the ground.
We also owe a huge thank you to the Galveston County Small Business Development Center. Amy, in particular, has been incredibly generous with her knowledge about launching and sustaining a local business in Southeast Houston. We’re grateful for Jess at JCMM.social, whose expertise in social media marketing and networking has been a game-changer for us.
Our BNI – Masters Business Alliance chapter in Friendswood has been a vital networking group. They’ve supported us from day one and have been an ongoing source of referrals within the local community.
Additionally, we’ve been fortunate to collaborate with several amazing small businesses who have graciously helped us expand our audience. A special thanks to Wild Pear Running, OTG Fitness, On the Run – Clear Lake, Galveston Island Running Company, and Bay Oaks Country Club for their partnership and support.
We’re grateful to everyone who has played a role in our journey, and we couldn’t have done it without this incredible network!
Website: https://www.elevatedptwellness.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedptwellness
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatedptwellness
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedPTWellness
Image Credits
Photos taken by Kathyrn Westerman