Spine & Sport, a local, privately owned physical therapy and personal training company, has made the list of “Inc. Magazine’s” 500|5,000 list of fastest growing companies in America for the third consecutive year.

The company was founded by Dr. Eric C. Bull and Dr. Jacques L. Beauchamp on Valentine’s Day of 2004. Between April of 2006 and April 2009, the company grew over 600 percent and in 2009 “Inc. Magazine” got wind of the expansion, naming Spine & Sport number 357 on its list of fastest growing privately owned companies in America.  The trend continued in 2011.

“The first and third years interestingly feel a little different than the second year,” said Dr. Bull. “The challenges have been different with the economy, and we’ve had to push that much harder to remain a company that grows and offers better customer service and greater patient outcomes.”

Spine & Sport has five locations in the Savannah area, including Rincon, and a recently opened clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

“Our first clinic was a 14x10 room in the back of a gym. Back then I just had a single aide. When she wasn’t there, I carried a wireless phone around on my belt and answered the phone when I was treating patients,” said Dr. Beauchamp. “I remember stopping one time and saying ‘I will not be a single PT practicing in the back of a gym for the rest of my life! This is not what I want.’ The emotion I have regarding the award is tied into all the hard work that existed in the beginning.”

The company currently employs over 100 people, and has earned enough success to focus on giving back to the Savannah area. The company serves as a holiday drop-off for Union Mission, raises money annually for the Arthritis Foundation and Armstrong Atlantic State University, and, most recently, raised over $3,000 for Wounded Warrior Project.