Mar 17, 2024 3 min read

There’s nothing traditional about Wonsettler Physical Therapy and Specialized Health, especially when it comes to their state-of-the-art facility.

“We built our facility five years ago overlooking our family farm, which has been in our family since the 1800s,” Cliff Wonsettler, a physical therapist and owner of Wonsettler Physical Therapy and Specialized Health in Scenery Hill, said. “It’s unique, especially for a health care facility. We wanted to highlight the view and have it inspire patients. There are healing elements in nature. It influences how you feel emotionally and psychologically.”

The idea of healing architecture is not new, but it has gained prevalence in health care architecture in recent years. It involves creating architectural spaces that promote physical and psychological healing.

“Nature can instill the aspiration to reach, grow, and be more mobile,” Wonsettler said. “I can’t tell you how often we have patients come up and tell us how different this place is and how cool the scenery is. It all plays off one another: the physical environment and mental health. It’s bidirectional. When you’re feeling hopeful and optimistic, you believe that things can be better, and it influences your physical state. And when your physical state inspires you, it plays favorably with your mental state.”

The facility features walls of nine-foot windows that flood the area with natural light. There’s also a 12×12 glass garage door that the team regularly opens to let in fresh air.

“We want to create an environment where it feels like you are outside,” Wonsettler said. “And when the weather allows, many physical therapists take advantage of the outdoors. They’ll get their patients outside doing exercises. We’ve got a huge, grassy, flat spot in the back of our building and a path on the farm that patients and their families can walk on. It’s pretty cool.”

Alivia Reffner, a patient since October, says Wonsettler Physical Therapy is unlike any other physical therapist she’s been to.

“The environment helps you be at peace when you’re going through a painful and tough time. This is opposed to a traditional physical therapy setting with fluorescent lights and no windows when you’re just looking around at equipment,” Reffner, of Marianna, said.

Grace Lani has been receiving care from Wonsettler Physical Therapy for almost a year to recover from surgery. She credits the peaceful environment for the success of her healing journey.

“It’s amazing to go there, and as you focus on strengthening and healing, you can look out among nature. Often, you’ll see the sunrise over the hills, the cows and the sheep grazing and the birds in the sky,” Lani, of North Strabane, said. “It’s just a wonderful environment. You don’t feel like you’re in a room. You feel like you are out with nature, focusing on your healing and strengthening.”

To learn more about Wonsettler Physical Therapy & Specialized Health and how they can help you, call 724-945-5161 or visit wonsettlerpt.com.

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