Read & Learn Articles

Email Marketing for Physical Therapists: How to Stay Top of Mind

Expert web designers ensure the site and software is easy to use.

Email Marketing for Physical Therapists: How to Stay Top of Mind

Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways for physical therapists to build meaningful relationships with patients, nurture loyalty, and keep their clinics top of mind. With a well-thought-out email strategy, you can educate your patients, provide valuable resources, and encourage them to engage with your practice regularly.

By focusing on welcome sequences, reactivation campaigns, and educational emails, your email marketing efforts can help both new and existing patients better understand the benefits of physical therapy and maintain a long-term connection with your clinic.

This guide will walk you through how to create an impactful email marketing strategy for physical therapists, complete with step-by-step tips and actionable ideas.

Physical Therapy Marketing & SEO: A Guide to Managing Customer Data for Growth

Why Email Marketing Works for Physical Therapy Clinics

Email marketing delivers impressive ROI across industries, with an average return of $36 for every $1 spent. For physical therapy clinics, this means a direct, low-cost way to stay connected with your patients, build trust, and grow your practice.

Here’s why email marketing is an essential tool for PT practices:

  • Direct communication: Emails give you a direct line to your patients, ensuring your messages reach their inbox when they’re most receptive.
  • Personalization opportunities: Segmenting your email list allows targeted communication for patients at different stages of their treatment or recovery.
  • Improved retention: Regular emails help current and past patients feel connected to your clinic, encouraging repeat visits for wellness care or new treatment needs.
  • Patient education: Through helpful resources and tips, you can position your practice as a trusted authority in rehabilitation and health.

With these benefits in mind, the key to effective email marketing lies in creating valuable, relevant, and patient-centered content.

Local SEO for Physical Therapists: How to Dominate in Your Area

Best Keywords for Physical Therapy SEO (With Examples)

How to Build a Physical Therapy Website That Ranks and Converts

Build Connections With Welcome Email Sequences

A welcome email sequence is your first opportunity to make a lasting impression on new patients or subscribers. This automated series sets the tone for how your patients perceive your practice while introducing them to your services.

Why Welcome Sequences Matter

The average open rate for welcome emails is 50% higher than other email types, making this first interaction a crucial one. By offering a warm, professional introduction, you can establish trust and encourage patients to engage with your emails moving forward.

What to Include in Your Welcome Emails

  1. Introduction to Your Practice
    • Introduce your clinic, highlighting what makes you unique.
    • Share your mission and philosophy of care to help patients connect with your values.
    • Example subject line: “Welcome to [Clinic Name]! Here’s How We’re Here for You.”
  1. Overview of Services
    • Provide a friendly explanation of the services you offer, emphasizing how they benefit patients.
    • Use simple, non-technical language, such as:
      • “From workplace posture fixes to post-surgical rehab, we’ve got you covered.”
    • Include links to service pages on your website for easy reference.
  1. What to Expect as a Patient
    • Outline what new patients can expect during their first appointment or treatment plan.
    • Offering helpful tips like what to wear or bring removes friction for first-time visitors.
  1. Encourage Engagement
    • Include clear calls-to-action, such as:
      • Booking their first appointment
      • Filling out patient intake forms electronically
      • Following your clinic on social platforms for updates

Sample Welcome Sequence Timeline

Day 1 (immediately after sign-up): Send a warm welcome email with an introduction to your clinic’s mission.

Day 3: Provide helpful resources about your services and highlight your team’s expertise.

Day 5: Include a CTA to book a consultation or ask about their physical therapy goals.

Tips for Success

  • Personalize the greeting: Use the patient’s first name for a more personal tone.
  • Highlight reviews and testimonials: Include brief snippets or links to reviews that reflect your exceptional care.
  • Automate the sequence: Use email marketing tools like MailChimp or Constant Contact to streamline sending and timing.

 

Content Marketing Ideas for Physical Therapists

Social Media Marketing for Physical Therapists: A Strategic Guide

Patient Reviews and Reputation Management for PT Clinics

Reactivation Campaigns to Re-Engage Former Patients

Not every patient completes their full treatment plan, and even past patients often need encouragement to return for follow-up or wellness care. That’s where reactivation email campaigns come in.

Why Reactivation Campaigns Work

These targeted emails help you reconnect with patients who have paused or discontinued care. They remind patients of your clinic’s value while encouraging them to re-engage.

Segmentation for Better Results

Segmenting your inactive or past patients ensures your reactivation emails are relevant. Examples of reactivation campaigns can target:

  • Patients who have not scheduled an appointment in the last 6 months.
  • Patients who started but did not complete their prescribed treatment plan.
  • Former patients who might benefit from wellness services.

What to Include in Reactivation Emails

  1. Personalized Check-Ins
    • Start with a friendly note that shows genuine care:
      • “Hi [Patient Name], we noticed it’s been a while since your last visit. How has your recovery been going?”
    • Avoid coming across as sales-focused; prioritize the patient’s well-being.
  1. Timely Promotions
    • Offer incentives like a free consultation, discount on follow-up care, or access to an educational webinar. Make it light and optional:
      • “We’re offering a complimentary assessment for returning patients this month—just schedule by [date]!”
  1. Useful Reminders
    • Share tips about the long-term benefits of ongoing physical therapy or preventative care—for example:
      • “Did you know regular mobility exercises can reduce your risk of recurring shoulder pain?”
    • Link to a blog post or resource on your website for more information.

Example Reactivation Campaign Options

  • Subject Line: “It’s Been a While—We’d Love to See You Again!”
  • CTA: “Schedule Your Follow-Up Appointment Now.”
  • Type of Incentive: Free posture analysis for former patients.

Tips for Success

  • Add an element of urgency: Limited-time follow-up offers can motivate patients to act quickly.
  • Include testimonials or recovery milestones: Remind patients why others love your clinic.
  • Automate follow-ups: Set reminders to send follow-up emails if patients don’t respond to initial outreach.

 

Top Physical Therapy Marketing Mistakes to Avoid (And What to Do Instead)

How to Track ROI on Physical Therapy Marketing & SEO

Choosing the Right Practice Management and CRM Tools for Your PT Clinic

Educate and Empower With Newsletter Content

Patient education is one of the most impactful ways to build trust and strengthen relationships. A monthly or bi-weekly email newsletter not only keeps your practice top of mind but also allows you to share valuable content your patients can apply to their daily lives.

Why Educational Emails Matter

Email newsletters give you a consistent channel to:

  • Provide patients with actionable health tips.
  • Showcase your clinic’s expertise.
  • Drive traffic to your website or blog.

Educational newsletters establish you as a trusted authority while helping patients stay engaged with your brand.

What to Include in Newsletters

  1. Health Tips
    • Share simple but valuable insights, such as:
      • “5 Stretches to Relieve Lower Back Pain After Long Hours at a Desk”
      • “How to Use Proper Form for At-Home Workouts”
    • Include short, skimmable paragraphs with links to a detailed resource on your website.
  1. Updates About Your Practice
    • Announce new services, clinic milestones, or upcoming events like webinars or open houses.
  1. Patient Success Stories
    • Celebrate achievements by featuring anonymous patient stories (with permissions secured).
    • “Our client Maria is now back to enjoying daily walks after undergoing [X therapy]!”
  1. Seasonal Content
    • Tailor advice to common seasonal needs:
      • Injury prevention tips for winter sports.
      • Post-summer recovery therapies, especially for athletic patients.

Tips for Success

  • Optimize Design for Mobile: Most patients read emails on their smartphones, so keep layouts simple and responsive.
  • Consistent Branding: Use your clinic’s logo, colors, and tone to reinforce brand recognition.
  • Call-to-Action Options: End each newsletter with a reason to engage further, such as “Schedule your next appointment here” or “Download our full injury prevention guide.”

 

What Is Customer Data Management in Healthcare Marketing?

Best CRM Tools and Customer Database Management Software for Small Practices

How to Collect, Store, and Use Patient Data Ethically and Effectively

Tools to Streamline Email Marketing

To execute successful campaigns, leverage email marketing tools that save time and offer robust analytics:

  • MailChimp: User-friendly automation and audience segmentation.
  • Constant Contact: Ideal for templates and real-time reporting.
  • ActiveCampaign: Advanced automation features for personalizing sequences based on patient activity.

Final Thoughts

Physical therapy email marketing is a proven way to build trust, deepen connections, and drive patient loyalty. By creating thoughtful campaigns centered on welcome sequences, reactivation emails, and educational content, you can keep your clinic top of mind while delivering real value to patients.

Start by implementing one step at a time—whether it’s crafting your first welcome email series or sending out a reactivation promotion—and expand your strategy as you learn what resonates with your audience.

Why TheraPro360?

Run your practice with simplicity with our streamlined scheduling, seamless telehealth integration, centralized patient portals, intuitive calendar management, and automated invoicing.

Get Started Today

Authors and Contributors

therapy practice software

Eva Lassey PT, DPT

Co-Founder of TheraPro360

Dr. Eva Lassey PT, DPT has honed her expertise in developing patient-centered care plans that optimize recovery and enhance overall well-being. Her passion for innovative therapeutic solutions led her to establish DrSensory, a comprehensive resource for therapy-related diagnoses and services.

therapy practice software

Irina Shvaya

Co-Founder of TheraPro360

Irina Shvaya is the Founder of eSEOspace, a Software Development Company. She combines her knowledge of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology to understand how consumers think and behave.

    Practice Management Services
    Therapy Practice Management Software

    Build Your Therapy Practice Online With a Website That Actually Works

    At TheraPro360, we’re more than just software — we’re your all-in-one partner for practice management and online growth. From custom websites to SEO and marketing, we help therapists modernize their online presence and attract more patients.

    Whether you're starting fresh or your current site needs a serious upgrade, our streamlined, white-glove process takes the stress out of getting results — so you can focus on what matters most: your patients.

    Ready to Grow Your Practice?

    👉 Schedule Your Free Discovery Call Now

    Let’s build your online presence — together.

    Related Articles