Is social media really the key to building a thriving practice? Michael Lau and Adelle Smener of The Prehab Guys say not necessarily, even with 1.3 million followers of their own. 

In this episode of Radio Front Desk, Denzil sits down with Michael — co-founder of The Prehab Guys — and his wife and clinic director, Adelle, to explore how three PT students turned Instagram exercise clips into a global platform, a direct-to-consumer app, and a brick-and-mortar clinic. Along the way, they share why patient trust comes from authenticity, not algorithms, and why you don’t need a million followers to grow your practice.

What You’ll Learn

• Why The Prehab Guys started online first — and how their mission shaped everything that followed
• The difference between social media for global platforms vs. local clinics
• Why patient autonomy is the foundation of lasting trust
• How referrals, community, and great care still outweigh follower counts for brick-and-mortar success
• Tips for showing up authentically online (and why you don’t have to “win” at social media)
  
  
  

Resources mentioned

• The Prehab Guys’ Playbook
• Prehab on YouTube
• The Prehab Guys on Instagram

Guest Bios

Michael Lau is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and one of the three co-founders of The Prehab Guys. While completing his doctorate at USC, Lau helped launch the platform to make evidence-based injury prevention and rehabilitation accessible to everyone. Today, he leads The Prehab Guys’ evolution into a global ecosystem spanning education, technology, and clinical care

Adelle Smener is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Clinic Director at The Prehab Guys’ Los Angeles location. Also a USC PT graduate, Adelle was one of the early believers in The Prehab Guys’ vision, and helped shape its patient-centered, value-driven philosophy.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional medical, legal, or financial advice.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast host or its affiliates.