Q&A with Dr. Robert Blomquist, owner of Realize Physical Therapy
By Like Media Team
At Realize Physical Therapy in Sandpoint, the question is not just where it hurts, but why. The clinic's Neural Fascial Systems approach traces the connections behind pain and movement problems, combining precise diagnostics with one-on-one care to give patients real answers and a clear path forward.
Q. What led you to open Realize Physical Therapy in Sandpoint, and what did you want to do differently from a traditional physical therapy setting?
A. Sandpoint is a very special area. The people, environment, and culture are amazing, and there is a push for healthy living and staying active. I created this clinic to move beyond traditional expectations of physical therapy and give the community a team that uses the most advanced techniques and tools. Our patients constantly tell us it’s not what they expected.
Q. You created the Neural Fascial Systems approach used at Realize. How is it different from physical therapy patients may have tried before?
A. Neural Fascial Systems puts a premium on the why. We do not stop at identifying a weak or tight muscle like the hamstrings. If you’ve strengthened and stretched without improvement, or the problem keeps coming back, something else is going on. Our unique assessment helps us find those hidden pieces, which makes any treatment more effective.
Q. Realize focuses on finding what is actually driving a patient's pain or movement limitations. What does that process look like during an evaluation?
A. We start with an in-depth review of where the problem started, not just when the pain started. Then we look at posture, movement, and strength to determine where we feel the problem is located. Last, we use our hands to better understand how the body is moving and reacting. The result is identifying not just the cause, but how the whole body affects it.
Q. What are the most common issues you see patients come in with, and what are people surprised physical therapy can help with?
A. We help people who are struggling with pain and movement issues, especially when they begin interfering with activities they enjoy. If they’re struggling with work, getting back on the trail, skiing down the mountain, or just getting through housework, we can help. People are often most surprised by what is actually contributing to their pain, such as an old injury, surgery, or an issue elsewhere in the body.
Q. What led you to add a pelvic floor program at Realize, and who's been driving it?
A. We have had many of our patients need pelvic floor support and we were unable to find a treatment approach that addressed them in the way we needed them to be addressed. To solve this, we combined traditional pelvic floor treatment with the Neural Fascial Systems approach. Thanks to the work of our therapist, Annie Hadley, we have been able to create an amazing program. She’s been incredible in how much she has poured into this program. It’s not just needed for our work in pain and movement, but the program is also able to help with issues like incontinence, pregnancy/postpartum, prolapse, and other women’s health issues.
Q. For someone who's dealt with pain for months or years and tried other treatments without results, what would you want them to know?
A. It's not in your head, and failed treatment doesn't mean you have to live with your pain. Long-standing pain does not necessarily mean previous treatment was wrong; sometimes the painful area is the last domino, not the first. We want people to know that, to help them get on the right track, we offer a free, no-obligation Discovery Visit where we can discuss their individual situation and fill in the gaps.
Realize Physical Therapy
101 N. 4th Ave., Suite 103
Sandpoint, ID
208.610.7134
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