We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Klain recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I’ve always known what I wanted to do when I grow up – be a physical therapist. My career pathway started at age 10 when I first volunteered at a hospital and then continued with various internships in high school and college. After 7 years of undergraduate + graduate school, I was officially a Doctor of Physical Therapy! I was finally able to start my career helping people reduce pain, get back to activity, and live a healthier life. After 10+ years of helping patients, advancing my knowledge, and arguing with insurance companies, I realized going to work felt more like a burden than a joy. I still loved my one on one patient interactions, but I was burned out on all the other things, the things that made my work unenjoyable such as documentation, office politics, insurance companies, and never ending paperwork. After months of deciding what my next career move would be, my husband and I decided to take a 3 month ‘life sabbatical’ traveling through South East Asia. Then Covid happened and the proposed 3 months turned into 14 months “stuck” in Phuket, Thailand. Not working for 14 months while adjusting to life in a foreign country during a global pandemic was everything I didn’t know I needed. It forced me to slow down, consider the things that are important to me in life and career, and gave me the opportunity to learn something new (yoga!). It also allowed me the time and space to realize that the only way I could be the physical therapist I wanted to be, on my own terms, I had to open my own practice. This is when ‘Physio, Yoga & Wellness’ was born!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

‘Healthcare’ should be more than just ‘injury care’ or ‘sick care’. It should be about whole-body, whole-person health and wellness. Just like ‘Physical Therapy’ should not only focus on addressing spine or joint pain, post-surgical rehabilitation, or exercise. Since 2020, all physical therapy graduates have a doctorate level education with the ability to address whole-body issues such as nutrition, sleep, diabetes, blood pressure, and other lifestyle issues that can effect quality of life. The foundation of my practice is to address each person in an individualized and holistic manner to ensure achievement of both short-term and long-term goals. My educational background includes the ‘traditional’ physical therapy track of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Ohio State University followed by a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Florida. Since then, I have committed time and effort into advancing my education including a board certification in orthopedics (OCS), strength and conditioning certification (CSCS), manual therapy specialist (COMT), nutrition certification (CNPT), and yoga teacher training (RYT). Additionally, 7 years ago, I took a special interest in dizziness and concussion ailments and obtained certifications in vestibular rehabilitation and concussion assessment and treatment.

My professional success isn’t just about my degrees and certifications. I think that when healthcare providers take a step back, ask good questions, listen carefully, and allow the patient to guide the treatment path towards the goals that matter most to them, healthcare becomes more about wellness and not just sickness and injury. I am lucky to be part of a collective of healthcare providers called the Denver Holistic Health Collective so when I don’t have the knowledge or resources to help someone on their journey, I have the network to find someone that can.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Getting into physical therapy school is competitive. Completing physical therapy school is arduous. Taking the boards is daunting. You can get through all that, and end up with your physical therapy degree, with some studying, hard work, and maybe even a few all-nighters. But it doesn’t necessarily teach you how to connect with people, especially people that are in pain, or desperate for help, or don’t understand why they aren’t getting better. Being a good physical therapist isn’t just about knowledge, it is about human connection.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I love being a physical therapist. I hate healthcare insurance. I am lucky to have found a way to minimize the effect of insurance on how I practice physical therapy, but it still effects each patient’s healthcare journey. I started my professional journey 20 years ago and have seen a lot of changes, some good and some not so good. Loving what I do motivates me to push the boundaries of traditional healthcare and the restraints insurance can put on receiving good care. Opening my own practice allows me to treat the way that I feel is best for each patient, and continue to love what I do, even after all these years.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.physioyogaandwellness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephysioandtheyogini/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/physioyogawellness
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-klain-physioyogaandwellness/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrJessKlain
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@physioyogaandwellness
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/physio-yoga-and-wellness-denver
• Other: www.concussiontherapist.com

Image Credits
Pixil Studio