Terra Gegg didn’t set out to be a business owner. In fact, she never imagined herself in entrepreneurship at all. But looking back, the seeds were always there.
Growing up, Terra was an only child until she was 13. Her parents divorced when she was just two, and for much of her early years, it was just her and her mom. Things changed when her stepdad entered the picture around the time she was ten. He owned a jewelry business, which meant Terra was exposed to the entrepreneurial world early on, even though it wasn’t something she thought she’d ever pursue herself.
Her childhood was filled with activity. Her mom made sure she was involved in Girl Scouts, soccer, softball, dance (ballet and tap), gymnastics, and even a community theater group. In high school, she became a cheerleader, an experience that left a lasting mark—literally. As a freshman, she was dropped during a stunt and suffered a severe ankle sprain. To this day, she still works on strengthening that ankle, which serves as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability she has carried throughout her life.
Terra attended Maryville University in St. Louis, where she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in physical therapy. It was during this time that her faith deepened. Though she had come to know Jesus in seventh grade, her college years and later experiences as a mother significantly strengthened her relationship with God. Today, she and her family are heavily involved in their church’s youth group.
With her soon-to-be husband, the couple relocated to Springfield, a move that set the stage for Terra’s professional journey.
With nearly 20 years of experience in physical therapy—primarily in outpatient orthopedics—Terra built her career around helping people move and feel better. She even spent a year in pediatrics, thinking it might be her calling, but soon realized her passion was working with active individuals of all ages.
“I thought I would love pediatrics, but I found that I love working with all active people more, and that led me to what I do now,” she says.
Then, in 2020, the pandemic hit. Like many professionals in hands-on fields, Terra suddenly found herself with less work and more time. But instead of waiting for things to change, she took matters into her own hands.
“I wasn’t busy, so I made myself busy,” she says.
That’s when Enhance Physical Therapy was born. What started as a necessity quickly turned into a thriving business dedicated to helping people recover, rebuild, and stay active for years to come.
Owning her own practice allows Terra the flexibility to tailor treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs, going beyond conventional methods. She conducts one-hour consultations to ensure a comprehensive approach to healing.
“If someone comes in for hip pain, there’s a good possibility it could be coming from other areas, and it takes time to screen for all of those possibilities,” she explains.
Physical therapy isn’t just about exercises and stretches—it’s about the whole body. Terra incorporates aspects like stress levels, nutrition, hydration, and sleep into her patients’ recovery plans. She also collaborates with chiropractors and massage therapists to create a more holistic treatment approach.
One area she’s particularly passionate about is pelvic health, an often-overlooked component of overall wellness.
“I have been working with women specific to pelvic health for the past three years. It’s amazing how little we know about our own bodies. We just aren’t taught much in school, from our doctors, or even our parents. It used to be so taboo,” she says.
Some of her favorite clients are postpartum mothers and women experiencing pelvic pain or incontinence. She loves helping them return to their normal activities without fear or discomfort.
“It’s so rewarding to hear stories from women who are able to lift their baby or get back to running without pain—just normal things that we don’t even think about. And if it’s happening to you, know that you’re not alone. There is help,” she emphasizes.
Terra hopes to expand her efforts, particularly in working with high school athletes and trainers to prevent injuries and improve overall physical resilience.
“Many trainers aren’t trained in rehabilitation,” she says. “I would love to collaborate and bridge that gap so athletes of all ages can continue to do what they love, even if modified for a little bit.”
One of the biggest challenges she sees in physical therapy is the mindset around self-care. Many people view it as an expense rather than an investment—especially parents who prioritize their children’s needs over their own. As a mother of two active teenagers, she understands this struggle firsthand.
“Sometimes it’s hard to invest in yourself,” she acknowledges. “We pour so much into our kids that we forget about ourselves. But we have to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves to be able to take care of others.”
She compares physical therapy to planning for the unexpected—you may not see the benefits immediately, but over time, the dividends pay off in mobility, strength, and quality of life.
“There’s strong evidence that working out and staying active affect longevity and quality of life,” she says. “Make sure your body is healthy and able to do what you want it to do.”
Her belief in staying active extends to her patients. Many come to her afraid they’ll never be able to do the things they love again—running, lifting weights, hiking, or even playing with their kids or grandkids. But through targeted therapy and a commitment to long-term wellness, she helps them regain their strength and confidence.
“I want people to be able to continue to do the things they want to do,” she says. “Those things are a key part of their identity, so they’re important to keep up.”
Looking ahead, Terra hopes to deepen her involvement in the Springfield community. She wants to host more events, provide more education, and strengthen relationships with local athletes, trainers, and healthcare professionals.
“I hope to be more involved in the community this year, to do more events and raise awareness about different areas of the body that are often not thought about,” she says.
At the core of it all, her mission remains simple: to help people move better, feel better, and live better.
“If I could do this for free, I would,” she says. “I just love helping people get beyond where they think they can after injury.”
For those unsure if physical therapy is worth the investment, Terra has a clear message: the cost of not taking care of your body is far greater. Physical therapy is often seen as a reactive measure—something to turn to after an injury, surgery, or chronic pain. But for Terra it’s so much more than that. It’s an investment in your future self, a way to ensure that you stay active, independent, and capable of doing the things you love for as long as possible.
Investing in your health today means freedom, mobility, and independence tomorrow. And that, according to Terra, is worth every penny.
Terra speaks passionately about women's health issues, loving that teenage girls seem to have more knowledge and an openness to discuss their health. As a mom, she ensures her own daughter has knowledge and asks questions.
It’s an investment in your future self, a way to ensure that you stay active, independent, and capable of doing the things you love for as long as possible.
Owning her own practice allows Terra the flexibility to tailor treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs and go beyond the conventional methods.