How Metabolic Testing in Physical Therapy Transformed Care at Bespoke Physical Therapy
Background
Bespoke Physical Therapy is a multi-location physical therapy clinic with offices in New York, San Diego, and Seattle. Known for its focus on rehabilitation, performance, and functional wellness, the clinic serves a diverse clientele—from weekend warriors to post-op patients. With the growing need for precision-based care, Bespoke adopted metabolic testing in physical therapy to deliver more personalized outcomes using PNOĒ’s advanced breath analysis.
Challenge
1. Evolving Beyond Conventional Rehab
While physical therapy traditionally focuses on pain management and injury recovery, Bespoke aimed to expand services by incorporating proactive, data-driven health assessments. Their team needed a tool to help bridge rehab and long-term health optimization.
2. Patient Education & Buy-In
Clients typically entered care for injury treatment and were unfamiliar with VO2 Max scores or metabolic data. Getting them to commit to long-term programs required a compelling, easy-to-understand diagnostic model.
3. Workflow Integration
Adding new testing tools often creates operational bottlenecks. Bespoke needed a system that would integrate smoothly without disrupting their clinical flow.
Solution: Metabolic Testing with PNOĒ
Bespoke implemented PNOĒ to perform metabolic testing in physical therapy, providing real-time data on oxygen consumption, VO2 Max, fat oxidation, and pulmonary efficiency. The team used this information to:
- Customize rehab programs based on individual metabolism and endurance zones
- Educate clients using objective reports and VO2 Max rehabilitation insights
- Track improvements in real time to sustain motivation and trust
Case Study 1: Pulmonary Injury Recovery
A male patient recovering from aspiration pneumonia and altitude-related pulmonary edema presented with severe respiratory dysfunction. Initial VO2 Max measured 37 ml/kg/min, down from a previous 52. With PNOĒ-guided training and aerobic zone recalibration, he returned to 53 ml/kg/min over 18 months—surpassing his pre-illness performance.
Impact:
- Reinforced patient confidence in a measurable rehab process
- Demonstrated how VO2 Max rehabilitation insights can guide recovery from serious pulmonary setbacks
Case Study 2: Athletic Optimization
A recreational athlete came in for knee pain but wanted to lose fat and increase energy. PNOĒ data revealed poor fat oxidation and reliance on anaerobic zones due to excessive bootcamp-style training.
Intervention Plan:
- 2x/week low-intensity cardio for metabolic flexibility
- 2x/week strength training for lean muscle growth
- 2x/week high-intensity intervals for performance
After two months, he experienced improved cardiovascular output, reduced fat mass, and higher energy—all driven by metabolic testing in physical therapy.
Case Study 3: Chronic Pain and Weight Loss
A woman with chronic hip pain and labral tears sought rehab over surgery. After functional improvements, she wanted to manage weight to return to dancing. PNOĒ’s RMR test revealed that her perceived deficit was actually caloric maintenance. Adjustments to her intake led to gradual weight loss and improved vitality.
Key Insight:
Clients often misjudge their energy needs. Breath-based testing delivers exact caloric burn and fat efficiency data, improving adherence and results.
Business Impact
1. Revenue Growth
Bespoke offers metabolic testing as a premium standalone ($150–$300) or bundled within rehab packages ($600+), creating additional income channels.
2. Extended Patient Retention
Patients once limited to 6–8 week rehab plans now stay 3–6+ months for performance and metabolic coaching—thanks to metabolic testing in physical therapy.
3. Stronger Brand Positioning
The clinic is now seen as a leader in functional rehab, using VO2 Max rehabilitation insights to attract athletes, high performers, and complex cases.
Conclusion
By embracing metabolic testing in physical therapy, Bespoke Treatments redefined patient care and performance enhancement. Using PNOĒ’s data, they deliver accurate diagnostics, targeted rehab, and quantifiable results that boost retention and revenue. VO2 Max, RMR, and fat oxidation insights aren’t just numbers—they’re tools for life-changing transformation and long-term health ownership.
