Meet Dr. Jill Mitchell, PT, DPT, COMT | Physical Therapist, Business Owner, Hiker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Jill Mitchell, PT, DPT, COMT and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Jill, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I created Thrive Physio and Wellness in order to provide top-quality care that is individualized to the person and not limited by the confines of insurance. As a clinician with over a decade of experience in the traditional physical therapy model, I would often have patients come to see me, and they were either limited by their insurance as to the number of visits that they could receive, or they were not quite back to their full activity by the time traditional PT ended. I started Thrive Physio in order to treat patients fully and to the level that they needed, not as dictated by their insurance. I also wanted to bridge the gap between where physical therapy ends and where they have fully progressed back to their activity.

I love to hike (and love, no really, LOVE mountains) and have myself been subject to pains that have limited my hiking. I also have treated quite a few hikers in my time when living in Colorado. I’ve found I really connect with this client population; I know how to solve their problem and get them back on the trail. We are often a good fit as they are motivated to address their issue for good and want to reach the summit (as soon as possible lol). I also understand their goals and struggles and am never going to tell them to “just stop hiking” or “don’t hike so much”.

So I’ve brought together two of my loves, hiking and physical therapy. I help outdoor athletes thrive in their adventures. I currently provide both mobile services (where I come to you at your home, office, gym, or even outside) and also provide virtual appointments for those who are not local. I also have a brand new online coaching program, geared towards the beginner hiker that will set them up for success and help them reach the summit, preventing injury and being confident and fully prepared for their first big hike.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have over a decade of experience as an outpatient physical therapist with a main focus in orthopedics. I’ve always had a lifelong love of learning, which I attribute also to my Dad, and so I’m always seeking out learning opportunities in my profession. I’ve gotten an advanced certification in manual therapy (COMT) and I’m also level 1&2 certified in Dry Needling. I have worked with a variety of patients over the course of my career thus far, the youngest being 5 years of age, to the oldest being 101. I’ve treated a wide variety of issues ranging from cancer patients ,to post-op hip replacements, to patients with Parkinson’s, to sprained ankles, to strokes, and to overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis. Each person and their situation is different and I like to think of it as solving a puzzle. For instance, where they have the pain may not be source of the problem. I utilize a variety of different tools and methods in order to help each individual achieve their goal. But perhaps the greatest thing that I can do for the patient is to educate them so that they do not actually need me in the long run. This also empowers them to take their health into their own hands and also to have a true understanding behind what they need to do and why. That and REALLY listening to and hearing the individual and what their goals are and their why is essential to their success.

Being a business owner has definitely taken me outside of my comfort zone (in a good way). Every day I learn something new and constantly have to grow and evolve. It’s definitely not always easy for me as I’m very introverted and so putting myself out there at times can feel challenging. But I love what I do and I’m really enjoying bringing physical therapy and hiking together. What I want everyone to know is don’t take having aches and pains as normal. We all need a consultation from a physical therapist in order to have our best health. You should have a physical therapist as part of your healthcare team, even if you’re not injured or in pain. And if you’re trying to progress in your hiking (or other activity), but you feel stuck or that you’ve plateaued, I can help you get past the plateau and reach the summit without injury and also enjoy the trail with more confidence!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d definitely want to take them for some good Tex-Mex (which is something I always missed when I lived in Colorado). My go-to’s are always Gloria’s or Mi Cocina. In my neighborhood of Oak Cliff, I love to walk with Rocky to Wayward Coffee or head to La Reunion in Bishop Arts for a coffee or a glass of wine.

Dallas may not the mecca for hiking, but you can definitely find it if you want it…and so my recommendations would not be complete without mentioning a few hiking places (though a friend visiting, may or may not want to partake, lol not all of my friends are lovers of the outdoors). I love Cedar Hill Nature Preserve when it’s not too crowded. And then I also love really close to home, Oak Cliff Nature Preserve (just be alert for mountain bikers and share the trail). Not too far from Dallas, I also enjoy Cleburne State Park, Marion Samson Park (sharing the trail with mountain bikers again), and then also Forth Worth Nature Center and Refuge.

I also love listening to live music and you can be sure if Cowboy Mouth is in town, I’m heading to hear them play. (okay, so they are not a local band, but I’m a Tulane alum and so New Orleans is a second home)….they do often come to town…if you’ve never been, trust me, you must go. It is literally impossible to leave their concert in a bad mood. If I have a friend in town and they happen to playing, I’m definitely taking them! If they are in town…GO….you won’t regret it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thrive Physio and Wellness would not be possible without the love and support of several people, the first being my family. My dad and his life’s journey has had a huge influence on my life. He was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma (and at the time was given a 6-month prognosis) before I was born. He sought out alternative treatment (along with conventional treatment) which incorporated healthy lifestyle changes. Growing up in this environment had a profound influence on me and how I approach my own health. It also greatly influenced my career path to become a physical therapist. The values that both he and my mom instilled in me to be responsible, to be curious and inquisitive, to do a good job, and do the job right, as well as to be kind and caring have really served me well both in my career as a PT and also as a business owner/entrepreneur. I also have to thank both my brother and sister who have been supportive and encouraging me all along the way to step outside my comfort zone on this journey as a small business owner. And then I really could not have gotten this far without the love and support of my significant other, Steve. Whether it’s giving moral support if I’ve had a bad day, or to putting up with me wanting to take photos for my blog on one of our hiking trips, he keeps me going. And then I can’t forget my rescue dog Rocky and rescue cat Mabel…they give me unconditional love and emotional support…well Rocky does…Mabel can be moody (if you’re a cat or dog person, I’m sure you can relate).

I’ve been blessed to have worked with some great clinicians and mentors both as a new clinician and then as a clinic director and even as a travel PT. Many have helped me to grow both in my skills and confidence, and then even some I learned from them how I wanted to be different than them. I also have had some great coaches as a new business owner and also a community of other PT’s who are venturing out of the traditional system and into this new model of healthcare where the needs of the patient are put first. They motivate me to do the best I can and to continue to learn every day. I love being a part of this growing community.

Website: www.thrivephysioandwellness.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_physio_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-mitchell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivephysioandwellness

Other: If you would like to schedule an appointment, you can call or text at 214-308-1698; you can book a free consultation call here: https://www.thrivephysioandwellness.com/schedule-consultation If you are interested in the Hit The Trail beginner’s hiking coaching program, you can learn more here! (sign up on this page as well). https://www.thrivephysioandwellness.com/hit-the-trail-coaching-program