Lynne Konstantin { Contributing Writer

Michael Fahmy of OMPT Specialists

ichael Fahmy is on a mission.
His dream was to open a
one-of-a-kind facility solely
dedicated to a specific specialty within
physical therapy, where he could
devote as much time as necessary to
his patients with the goal of treating the
source of their pain, rather than just the
symptoms.
Done.
In August of 2006, Fahmy opened
OMPT Specialists in a 3,000-square-foot
facility in Southfield; after two years, he
expanded to 5,000 square feet; and one
year later, opened a second facility in
Troy, also 5,000 square feet.
Trained as a physical therapist at
Cairo University and Oakland University,
Fahmy also is certified in Orthopedic
Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) from
Oakland, one of the only universities
in North America that offers such a
program — the only certified therapy
recognized by the American Medical
Association.
Having worked for years in private
clinics, hospitals and long-term care
facilities, Fahmy learned firsthand exactly

M

16 BOOM Magazine • February 2013

Michael Fahmy and
his colleagues are
passionate about
physical therapy — and
educating their patients
on what they can offer.

what he wanted to be able to offer
patients for what he believes are the
most beneficial, patient-oriented results.
And so Fahmy requires that every
therapist holds this specialized two-year
degree in manual therapy, for a total of
nine years of training.
"Our therapists receive two years of
additional training, and the only benefit
that they receive is that they really love
what they do," says Fahmy. "They get
to diagnose patients, then see them
through to pain relief, which medical
professionals don't always get to see."
Now that Fahmy has achieved his
first dream, he is working on his second
goal: To let people who are in pain know
that they have options. Important for all
patients, this is especially stressed for

senior citizens who rely on Medicare, as
the new changes under the Affordable
Care Act affect them crucially.
The "Obamacare" reforms help to
make medical care and physical therapy
more accessible to senior citizens. But
the importance lies in knowing what
the benefits are and making the most of
them. As with any form of care, it is vital
that patients be their own advocates.
So in addition to treatment, all
the therapists at OMPT Specialists
try to make it as easy as possible for
patients to understand exactly what
they are entitled to, how it affects their
physical therapy coverage and stress
the importance of finding the most
appropriate care for their conditions.
"We think nothing of shopping around
for a new car, for new shoes," says
Fahmy. "We want people to take their
healthcare just as seriously. Shop around
for a physical therapist. Interview the
therapist. If what they say makes sense
to you, then use that one; but if it does
not make sense, then question it."
Why choose OMPT instead of a
general physical therapist? An OMPT-