Meet Jesse Hill
This week on the blog, we’re featuring our very own director of the Mount Pleasant South location, Jesse Hill. We sat down with him in between patients to ask him 5 questions!
What makes you stand out as a physical therapist?
The medical field demands continued professional development. I have taken my OCS exam to become an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. This is a 6 hour exam that is based on the most current evidence and research in orthopedic (bones, joints, muscles) physical therapy to ensure the public knows that professional is an expert in their field. That was probably the most difficult exam I’ve ever taken, but it was worth it!
I am certified in dry needling, which is used in situations including acute and chronic pain. It improves local blood circulation and decreases pain caused by trigger points or tight soft tissue. I can say that I’m not the biggest fan of needles, but after taking the course much of that hesitance is gone. We probably practiced over 200 times on each other during the course, so I do understand the anxiety patients feel when this is brought up.
The key in the physical therapy world is to have a wide variety of experiences in order to build your “tool box”. This gives you the best chance of being able to successfully treat the patient in front of you. I’ve taken many extra courses in neck pain, back pain, and shoulder pain that each have their own approach to diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. This allows me to develop a diverse set of skills that I can use to treat all types of patients.
What is your favorite thing about physical therapy?
My favorite thing about physical therapy is being able to make a difference in our patient’s lives every day. Another great perk of our job is meeting all types of people and being able to get to know people in your community. Living and working in the town of Mount Pleasant allows me to receive recommendations for anything from restaurants to the best local professionals for a job (plumbers, realtors, auto repair).
How has your background made you a good PT?
I’ve been a PT for almost 10 years and have worked in many different situations. I like to joke that I can’t make up my mind on where I want to be, although we’re so happy here in Charleston that it’s hard to imagine leaving.
I’ve worked in Ohio, Michigan, and South Carolina, both in private practices and major hospital systems. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many experienced PT’s throughout my career, especially early on. Larger clinics can help you learn from many other PT’s at the same time. Those are the experiences that make you a good clinician.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My wife Sara and I like to travel, go to the beach, and explore Charleston. We enjoy experiencing different cities and what they have to offer. Anthony Bourdain I think said it best when he said “Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown”. Like him, we try to experience these new cities by eating as much of their food as we possibly can.
If you could spend time learning a new skill, what would it be?
I would absolutely love to spend time helping a construction crew build a house from the ground up. I think home renovation/repair is such a valuable skill that can save you money and build self-confidence.
