Meet Dr. Racine Johnson, DPT, OTR/L | Occupational and Physical Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Racine Johnson, DPT, OTR/L and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Racine, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was an idea for a long time, but I found myself feeling worn out mentally, physically and emotionally, but making more money than I had ever made in my career. Although the money was there, I lost some of the balance in my life and felt a little professionally bored and overworked. I was also driving an hour in each direction to and from my place of employment.

I started looking for another position, that would allow me to use all of my skills, but did not find anything that would meet all of my requirements and yes, even my desires. I was in a place in my professional life where I needed some work and clinical autonomy. I needed and wanted some professional growth. I needed the ability to have some life-work balance and yes, i wanted and needed to make some financial gains. There was something exhilarating about making my own way.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own a small, but I believe impactful Occupational and Physical Therapy practice. What makes me different and sets me apart is that I have been in the profession for about 30 years and started in the profession with what I consider one of the hardest populations of patient to work with which was individuals with Head Injuries. I am also a dually educated, licensed and trained therapist that allows me to look at the whole person regardless of what the reason is behind the need for therapy. I am also unique in the fact that I have been a patient myself during my recovery from a major car accident. There where somethings I learned in school, but there is so much I learned from being injured in my own body that I use and pass on to my patients.
The other reason I believe that makes me unique is I am passionate about what I do, and I love seeing individuals move forward and make progress.
I think a strong desire to grow professionally and personally is what has helped me get to where I am business. It has not been easy and one of the biggest lessons I have learned is how important it is to be able to adapt and change due to circumstances and changes. The plan may not come together exactly I like you wanted or expected, but there is still a viable contribution that can be made to the universe based on your purpose and passion.
It has also allowed by to expand my mind and I have even started a different company that provides natural skin and body care products including a natural pain relieving body/muscle rub,Dr. RaeJ’s Skin and Body Care and it is also marketed under the therapy company brand also.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow, that is an interesting question especially since I have been back in the Atlanta area for about 2.5 years and moved back in the beginning of the pandemic. I am slowly, but surely building my list of favorite places that usually involve food and maybe a good cocktail. I am also a major lover of brunch. I also enjoy supporting locally owned places. There is Ms. Icey;s Kitchen and Bar, The Kitchen at the King Kabob, almost any Mexican restaurant, Atlanta Breakfast Club, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, The Po Boy Shop. Louisiana Bistreaux Atlanta, The Selfie Museum, My Coffee Shop, Big Daddy’s Cafe, The Atlanta Aquarium, The Coca-Cola Museum and during Football session we would be Tailgating with Friends on a Sunday afternoon. If they have never been to Atlanta before, we are definitely spending some time downtown.
Now, I am hungry!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are quite a few people who deserve credit and recognition in my life. The first person would be my Dad, who displayed and left me with a wonderful work ethic and set the bar high for doing things with all your heart, my mind and soul. One of his most repeated quotes is “If you are going to do something, do it right, if not leave it alone.”
The next person would be my Grandmother because she is the catalyst for me being interested and being a Physical Therapist. It’s not in the way that you would think though, not because she was ill or sick, unfortunately that did happen later, but after I was already in the health care field.
It was because of the quality time we spent together watching TV (a soap opera) and folding clothes and that is where and how I discovered Physical Therapy.
Now there are a plethora of people who deserve recognition in this story as well. My younger sister, Tara who has always been my biggest cheerleader and yes, often my protector and truth teller.
My Mother, Louise who taught me manners and respect of other people as well as an healthy self esteem, self worth and confidence. One of her favorite quotes is “It’s a poor dog that does not wag it’s own tail.” It took me years to understand what that meant, but boy do I have it now. I am talking about confidence, not arrogance.
My brother who taught me to loyalty by never forgetting where I have been or where I have come from.
Mu nephew who makes me proud to be his Aunt and reminds me of how important I have been and is to his life and is proud of his Aunt.
This is just a few people, in my immediate family, but my extended family of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins support me and love me in ways to do more for my life and soul than they may ever know.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drraej

Linkedin: Dr. Racine Johnson, DPT, OTR/L

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racinejohnson

Other: www.instagram.com/dr.raejsskinandbodycare www.instagram.com/johnson_therapy_services_atl www.jtsmusclerub.bigcartel.com www.drraejsskinandbodycare.biz