Village News - Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Sandra Shrader

Special to the Village News

When it comes to the human body, physical injury is an equal-opportunity possibility. It doesn’t matter whether you are young, middle-aged, or old, an Olympics-bound athlete or an X-Box warrior, there is a reasonable chance that you may need physical therapy at some time in your life, according to Bill Atkins of All Star Physical Therapy in Fallbrook.

"The demand for physical therapy services, or rehabilitative health programs, has been getting greater every year," said Atkins, adding that the All Star Physical Therapy company is comprised of thirteen clinics located from Apple Valley to Miramar. He is the director of the 577 E. Elder Street clinic in Fallbrook.

"One of the main reasons for the increased demand in physical therapy services is because members of the Baby Boom Generation, those people born between 1946 and 1964, don’t want to just sit in their chairs all day long," he explained, adding that "about half of the population in the Fallbrook area are Boomers."

"The 60-year-olds and 70-year-olds still want to be active, play tennis, or do many of the same physical activities that they've been doing for 30 years. But their bodies, unfortunately, are more susceptible to wear and tear and injuries."

Atkins, who was born and raised in Fallbrook, began his career as a registered physical therapist at Fallbrook Hospital in 1981 and, three years later, he started what turned out to be a very successful physical therapy business in the Temecula area.

However, in 1989, Atkins decided to return to Fallbrook to treat patients on a more personal outpatient basis, something that he has been doing here in the community for more than 30 years. In addition, Atkins is an orthopedic clinical specialist as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and he served as a strength coach for Fallbrook High School from 2005 to 2010.

In 2013, Atkins joined All Star Physical Therapy, Inc. – a fast-growing chain of physical therapy clinics in Riverside and San Diego counties founded by occupational therapist Paul DiMeglio in 2008—and opened the Fallbrook facility which has a staff of five physical therapists, assistants, aides, and office personnel and a boldly-painted rehabilitation room filled with exercise and strength and balance-building equipment.

Over the past decade, sports-related injuries have been increasing, particularly among female athletes, said Atkins, who has successfully treated young patients who went on to participate in the Olympics.

"Because there are more young women in athletics and playing sports like basketball and soccer, for example," he explained, "we’re seeing more shoulder and knee injuries in women than what occurred before Title IX [the 1972 legislation that included the prohibition of sex discrimination in educational institutions which receive taxpayer funding] was approved. So that has contributed to the growth of the physical therapy services field."

Post-surgery rehabilitation for people of all ages is another important component in All Star Physical Therapy’s model of excellence in service, said Atkins, as well as balance building for elderly patients who often are afflicted with unsteadiness and need to prevent broken bones.

The company provides a choice of clinic locations, and conveniently provides "new patient" paperwork forms online, making it "much easier to begin the process of physical rehabilitation," he said, adding that All Star Physical Therapy accepts Medicare, Tricare, Blue Cross, and most private insurance as well as providing rates for cash payments.

"Whether it’s because of post-surgery needs, physical

injuries, chronic diseases like arthritis or a loss of mobility, we are here to help people improve their condition," said Atkins. "And, as we like to remind our patients, success starts today."

All Star Physical Therapy’s Fallbrook clinic is located at 577 Elder Street, Suite I. For more information, call (760) 723-2687 or visit www.allstarphysicaltherapy.net/find-a-location/589-elder-street-fallbrook.