Their Life's Work: A Libertyville physical therapist works to keep people out of doctor offices

Illinois has more than 1 million small businesses — some new, some old, some family legacies, others personal dreams. Each proprietor has a story to tell about how things have changed dramatically for them with the onset of the coronavirus, how they’re adapting, how they’re trying to hold it together and how their life’s work hangs in the balance.

Rachel Miller has wanted to be a physical therapist since high school.

She's always loved science, being active and working with others.

She started practicing physical therapy and became a certified Pilates instructor, opening The Pilates PT in Libertyville four years ago.

"I love what I do. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out the root cause of someone's pain or issue, and helping them to feel better and get back to doing what they love," she said.

The physical therapy - deemed essential by the governor's order - is still done on site.

But she and her part-time staff have gone virtual for much of their work.

"One of the benefits is we have more flexibility than available times, so I have been working a lot more evenings and weekends as many of us now have kids at home and very different schedules than before," Miller said.

"Anything we can do to keep people out of urgent care, doctor offices and emergency rooms right now is important."