Overcoming Challenges in Physical Therapy: Nathan Lozano’s Take on Empowerment and Recovery

STEP Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist Nathan Lozano during a training session working on a client at The Perfect Step Organization.

Diving deep into the challenges of physical therapy is one thing that STEP Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist Nathan Lozano deals with his clients daily. Lozano has worked at The Perfect Step organization since 2017 when he started as a Step Certified Paralysis Recovery Assistant. Lozano graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Exercise and also has a Master of Science in Kinesiology from A.T. Still University.

Now having more certifications under his belt, Lozano has been promoted to a Level Three-Step-Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist. Lozano focuses on incorporating therapeutic exercises for any individual who is dealing with any kind of neurological injury or diagnosis. These exercises mainly pertain to clients who have suffered a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or stroke. It also pertains to people living with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, ALS, and PLS.

Lozano's approach to recovery is grounded in one core principle: “I show my clients that I’m human too,” he explains. This mantra drives everything he does. It’s not just about the exercises or treatment plans- it’s about building a personal connection. By being open and vulnerable with his clients, Lonzano creates a safe, understanding environment. When clients know they’re supported by someone who genuinely has their best interest at heart, they’re more likely to push their limits. It’s this deep personal connection that Lozano believes can make all the difference in their recovery.

A prime example of this connection is Lozano’s relationship with one of his most dedicated clients, Christopher Clark. Their relationship has inspired Lozano to advocate for disability rights and push for greater awareness around the challenges people with disabilities face.

“For me, I think a lot of my inspiration with disability rights and the advocacy side of things stems from his passion with disability advocacy,” Nathan Lozano said.

Lozano also admires the life approach Clark takes with living his life with his disability and more importantly not allowing his disability to limit him from doing things that he is truly passionate about. One example of Clark’s life approach happened in the weight room where he managed the Claremont High School Football team allowed him to bench press, and Clark was up for the challenge and he successfully passed with flying colors. This tough mindset has guided Christopher Clark to early success in life.

Clark’s Story is a testament to the mindset that Lozano brings to every aspect of his work, including his approach to physical therapy. At The Perfect Step, Lozano uses the core methodology known as the S.T.E.P method, which is designed not only to address physical recovery but also to empower them mentally. The core of this method is built around the understanding that every client has a unique journey just like Clark’s own unique path to recovery.

The S.T.E.P methodology consists of three main components, each aimed at stimulating and strengthening the nervous system.

The first step of patterned neural activity recruitment involves stimulating the spinal cord and brain through repetitive movement therapy, helping the brain reorganize itself and form new neural pathways. This process encourages the brain to relearn forgotten movements, helping to repair itself neurologically and increasing nervous system activity.

The second step in the S.T.E.P methodology is exercised-base therapy which ultimately is an authentic take that the perfect step does with physical therapy. Excerised based therapy is a physical approach, which requires clients to be pushed to their limitations. The Perfect Step encourages clients “to get out of the chair” and engage in exercise to regain independence. For clients who are in wheelchairs, exercise helps these clients correct the negative effects of prolonged sitting. Promoting anatomical extension, and reducing pain, tone, and spasms are good exercises for these types of clients because they help improve their range of motion. These high-intensity exercises increase muscle mass and bone density, and they also enhance function and coordination. The Perfect Step ultimately believes this is the most effective path to recovery by offering a lot of physical benefits that contribute to a better lifestyle.

Lozano showcases his devotion and craft to physical therapy as he helps his clients work full range motion on their lower body extremities.

Coming full circle for the S.T.E.P methodology, load bearing focuses on weight-bearing exercise into recovery to fight against clients in wheelchairs, and clients who spent limited in a vertical position who have a higher chance of declining in bone density. This approach helps maintain and increase bone density which then reduces the risks of bone diseases like osteoporosis and osteopenia. Additionally, it promotes joint stability which leads to muscle activation to maintain proper joint alignment. The goal in weight-bearing is the more the clients stand, the more their body will adapt to a vertical position, which can lead to the increase of blood to the brain facilitating overall recovery.

While the S.T.E.P. methodology lays the foundation for physical recovery, Lozano knows that true progress extends beyond the muscles and nerves. He emphasizes the importance of emotional well-being, as it greatly impacts the body’s response to therapy. This unique approach ensures that his clients don't just work through physical exercise but are also mentally and emotionally supported throughout their recovery journey. “For me, I like to generally see how my client’s doing, and the first thing I ask is how is your body feeling?” Nathan Lozano said.

He also expressed how when asking these questions to his clients shifts the client's mindset because it makes them feel heard. As human beings it allows them to want to perform better not only for themselves but for the person who is genuinely caring for them to reach their personal goals.

This also can challenge Lozano as a Specialist because there can be many deciding factors with the emotional needs of his clients that can negatively impact their bodies. For example, Lozano gave a scenario where if one of his clients came to the physical therapy stressed not only does it affect them emotionally but it puts their body in a negative situation in not performing to the highest potential and it also makes training plans hard for Lozano to try to test his client's capabilities.

One solution he has found to this challenge is being able to listen to his clients and motivate them to put all their negative energy or whatever situation they are going through into the training session. This strategy has proven to be effective because it has allowed his clients to push themselves to another level that they wouldn't have otherwise gone through if they let themselves stay in that negative mindset and terrible emotional state.

This personal connection also informs how Lozano adapts his treatment plans. He listens to his clients' needs and modifies the exercises to ensure progress while minimizing the risk of injury. The biggest example of this comes with positioning a client in certain workouts where they can hit a certain muscle group and execute the workout efficiently even if the reps are cut down to save the body’s energy for the entire workout. “With positioning it is all about trial and error and you can’t be afraid to fail to know how to adapt correctly.” Nathan Lozano said.

Ultimately, Loazanos’ approach is about more than physical recovery it’s about empowering clients to overcome both physical and emotional challenges, giving them the tools to thrive in life. Whether it’s a client like Christopher Clark or someone facing different neurological challenges, Lozano’s work goes beyond the training sessions at the gym.

It’s about creating an environment where clients are empowered to reclaim their independence, rebuild their confidence, and ultimately live fuller, more connected lives.

By: Zachary Grech - Student University of La Verne Class of 2025