Having a physical therapist that understands your pain not only from a professional standpoint, but a personal one as well, helps a lot. No one knows that better than Tim Ward, owner of Brazos Orthopedic Physical Therapy, and winner of the 2010 Readers' Choice Award for "Best Physical Therapist."
Ward, who has masters degrees in Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy, got into physical therapy the hard way.
"After my football career ended at Texas A&M in 1982, I was 22 years old but my body felt 92," Ward said. "I had my first back surgery in 1984 and have since had a total of 14 different surgeries on my back, shoulders, knees and hips."
Ward had to attend physical therapy numerous times and took an interest in medicine and physical therapy. He went back to school originally to study medicine, but gravitated to physical therapy. He started off working for the Texas Back Institute and then a local physical therapist before branching out on his own 10 years ago.
"I have always made sure the patient and their needs are first," Ward said. "Being a small business, we are able to individualize each patient’s therapy and do what we need to without having to run it through a director or committee. I never want to be one of those therapy places where each treatment is of the cookie-cutter type where everyone with the same pathology gets the same pre-designed treatment without regard to the individual and their unique problems."
Ward said he is excited to see the community grow as both new families come to the area and former Aggies return to Bryan/College Station after retirement. Brazos Orthopedic Physical Therapy is growing along with the community and expanding its services to meet the needs of older clients. Ward said he and his staff have become skilled in treating inner-ear problems that lead to dizziness and balance problems, as well as other techniques geared toward the orthopedic problems that come with aging.
"Now that I am 50 years old, I am not far behind these patients, especially after already having a shoulder replacement and a hip replacement," Ward said. "I just recently had a new patient who is a "Junction Boy." His knees are as bad as mine and he is having balance problems. I see myself in him and what I may be facing later in life."
Ward's patients are thankful for this personal touch and personal empathy in their treatment and Ward is thankful to be recognized for his work.
"I am suprised and humbled to win this award," Ward said. "I would like to thank the patients that voted for us and all our former and current patients for the honor and opportunity of treating and caring for them."
