Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Morgan Riggins, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT.
Hi Dr. Morgan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! I grew up in Dripping Springs, Texas, swimming and riding horses. I went to Hartwick College in upstate New York for my undergraduate degree, where I majored in Biology and English and swam collegiately. I specialized in breaststroke and individual medley events. I came back home to Texas and became a certified personal trainer while I applied to physical therapy school. I graduated from Texas State University in 2021 with my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. I started practicing as a staff physical therapist at Mondo Sports Therapy in central Austin in 2021. I am passionate about orthopedic physical therapy and delivering excellent care, so I pursued fellowship training through the Manual Therapy Institute. I completed my Fellowship in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists in 2023. I opened OPAL Movement Therapy, an orthopedic physical therapy and performance clinic, in June 2022. OPAL is located within Bodies By Design Workout Room, a renowned gym that has been in Pflugerville for over 20 years. I run OPAL full-time, and I love it. Most of my time is spent working with my clients one-on-one to help them reach their goals, presenting educational workshops and injury screens at local gyms and running groups, and managing business operations. I am incredibly passionate about physical therapy, education, and health, and I am so grateful for a career that allows me to be so fulfilled. In my free time, I’m usually training for something. Weightlifting is my first love, and I dabble in running and swimming. I recently competed in my first Festivus Games in October 2023, and my teammate and I won our division out of 420 competitors across the country. I ran the Houston marathon in 2023 and am running 3M this January. Aside from exercise, I love to cook, hike, and spend time with my family.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Getting to where I am now has been a challenging journey, but I have enjoyed the process immensely. When I started OPAL Movement Therapy, I worked full-time at another clinic, studied for my post-doctorate fellowship program, and trained for my first marathon. It took many long days, positive self-talk, and support from my family to get from where I was a year and a half ago to where I am now.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
OPAL Movement Therapy is an orthopedic physical therapy and performance clinic in Pflugerville, TX. OPAL specializes in helping active adults 30 to 60 years old with pain relief, performance, and injury prevention. We work with clients locally in North Austin and digitally. We primarily work with weightlifters, runners, and swimmers to rehabilitate injuries, improve strength and mobility to enhance performance and prevent future injuries. All of our services are one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Our cash-based, out-of-network clinic allows us to spend more time with our clients to ensure they have the education and support they need to reach their goals. Our client journey begins with a free discovery call or conversation. If we are a good fit for each other, then we will schedule an initial evaluation. Initial evaluations are 60 minutes and include discussing goals, concerns, and past medical history, followed by a movement screen, joint mobility, and strength testing. We review the findings from the evaluation and begin treatment. Most clients work with us once a week or every 2 weeks for 2-3 months, depending on their goals, and then transition into a monthly maintenance program if needed. Our goal is to help people move better forever. We offer free monthly workshops and injury screens throughout Austin, so check out our website or social media to see upcoming events and learn more.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I am not a huge risk taker, but I did take a risk by starting my own business and physical therapy practice. In my field, we are constantly evaluating benefits versus risks, for example:
- The benefits of x-rays versus the risks of radiation exposure
- The benefits of corticosteroid injections versus risks of damaging connective tissues
- The benefits of increasing load on back squat versus the risk of compromising form and potential injury
When I first heard about opening a physical therapy office in a gym, I immediately saw the benefits. It meant the opportunity to work with a fantastic community of active adults. It would allow me to work with my clients one-on-one and have the time to deliver a higher-quality physical therapy experience. It could offer me financial and time freedom and the ability to work and be a mom one day. However, it also had its risks. In physical therapy school, you learn how to be a physical therapist–not a business owner. I was a good clinician but needed more business experience and skills. There was a risk that the learning curve would be too great, and I would fail before I started. Fortunately, my enthusiasm for my craft and love for helping others outweighed my fear of failure, and I jumped at the opportunity. I am so glad I did.
Pricing:
- In-person and Digital Initial Evaluations are $249
- After the evaluation, rates vary depending on whether you purchase single sessions or a package/membership. Each session ranges from $175 to $249, depending on your goals and what works best for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
opalmovementtherapy.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ opalmovementtherapy/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ opalmovementtherapy - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/dr-morgan- riggins-pt-dpt-faaompt- 1b487a113/
Image Credits
Gabe Phelan, Lance Berg, Ryan Riggins
