Todd and Pam Lowery know that one of the best ways to capture an audience is to make them comfortable first, and during an awareness reception sponsored by their Relax the Back store held on October 12 in the Atrium, that’s just what they did.  The Lowerys, a husband-and-wife wellness team and owners of the Mt. Pleasant Relax the Back franchise, brought with them several ergonomic products to demonstrate, including a zero-gravity recliner that had CHP students, faculty and staff lining up to try – and becoming so comfortable that many expressed no desire to return to their classrooms or offices.  Relax the Back is a national company that provides the latest in ergonomic home and office furniture, therapy accessories, and educational media for posture and back care, and although many of their products are designated to benefit individuals suffering from spinal and neck pain, it was evident from the looks and sounds of contentment among the many in attendance that their products also have great appeal to anyone who simply appreciates the benefits of good posture and comfort.

The awareness reception was held at the MUSC College of Health Professions to celebrate the establishment of the Relax the Back/Lowery Family Scholarship in Physical Therapy and as part of a broader effort by Relax the Back to reach out to the Charleston physical therapy community to create awareness of, and comfort with, their products and services.  The relationship between CHP and Relax the Back provides much needed funding of scholarships for CHP physical therapy students, while allowing Todd and Pam Lowery to meet current and aspiring physical therapists and better assess the service and equipment needs of the physical therapy community in the Lowcountry.  As Todd Lowery notes, despite being a franchise, each Relax the Back franchisee has great discretion in selecting the kind of equipment and merchandise to carry in addition to the core Relax the Back products.  Because of this independence, the Lowerys can stock or get access to equipment most needed by physical therapists and their patients in this area.  The relationship with CHP helps make emerging and established professionals aware of products and services available through Relax the Back and helps the Lowerys tailor their products and services to the Charleston market.  The Relax the Back/Lowery Family Scholarship, in turn, helps CHP continue to provide physical therapy students with important academic programs that are vital to the future of the profession.

The Relax the Back/Lowery Family Scholarship in Physical Therapy is funded in the amount of $10,000 and will be disbursed annually over the next five years.  Eligible recipients are third year students enrolled in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.  In honor of their children, Amanda and Beau, preference will be given to eligible students who were adopted or placed in foster care.  Both CHP and the Lowerys hope their partnership will be the beginning of a long, fruitful relationship benefiting students, strengthening the physical therapy profession and helping meet the health care needs of the Charleston area.  If the enthusiasm displayed at the awareness reception is an indicator, Todd and Pam Lowery are well on their way to establishing a comfort zone with CHP and the physical therapy community.