Patients often reference a famous pop star when they meet Brittany Spear, but this Brittany chose sports over singing.
At a young age, Spear was determined to make a career out of competitive athletics.
“I played softball most of my life and wanted to be a softball pitcher for the U.S. Olympic team,” said Spear, a physical therapist at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth.
Her plan took a detour when she got hurt in her freshman year of high school.
During her recovery, she learned more about athletic training and physical therapy.
“I was able to get back on the field quickly, thanks to the treatments, and decided I wanted to help other athletes get back to their sports as quickly and as safely as possible,” she said.
Her decades-long passion eventually turned into a career in physical therapy with Texas Health Sports Medicine Southwest, a sports medicine clinic on the Texas Health Southwest campus.
Spear says she feels lucky to care for patients, including athletes who want to improve their mobility.
Learn more about Spear in her own words.
When did you start at Texas Health?
During physical therapy school, I worked with a clinical instructor, a licensed physical therapist, at Texas Health Sports Medicine Fort Worth. It was my first experience working with patients. I started working full time at Texas Health Sports Medicine Southwest in 2014.
What does a typical workday look like?
My workday consists of back-to-back appointments with patients. I incorporate a combination of hands-on treatments, including stretching, dry needling and massage techniques. I show patients various exercises that increase their flexibility and strength, as well as trying to decrease their pain if they are experiencing any. I care for a lot of athletes and focus their sessions on sports-specific tasks, such as running, jumping and throwing.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is getting to spend quality time with my patients. I usually spend two to three hours a week with most of my patients. This allows me to really get to know them and be able to focus on their quality of life and goals. Nothing beats the feeling of getting a patient back to a hobby or activity that they haven’t been able to do because of an injury.
What’s one thing that might surprise people who only know you in your professional role?
I am a deer hunter and hunt with a crossbow, which always surprises patients and co-workers when they learn this.
When you’re not working, what are some of your favorite activities or hobbies?
I love spending time with my husband and our 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son. We enjoy hiking and camping, as well as watching and playing sports. I am very active in my church and enjoy spending time with our friends. I’m also an avid reader and coffee drinker.
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