Hey, everyone! Welcome to my blog. My name is Jill Hoel. I am an orthopedic physical therapist who has worked in the field for over 20+ years and am finally venturing out on my own away from a traditional clinic. I am very excited to share my thoughts with you here, on topics from physical therapy and wellness, to all things life when you’re a woman in today’s world. (: I hope you’ll join me on this journey with ALEYA Wellness as I get her off the ground and running to empower women to live AND lead their lives across the country.

Today I want to talk a little about why it’s a good idea to have your own physical therapist on your care team, just like you have a dentist, doctor, maybe a massage therapist, a hairdresser (let’s be honest…your hairdresser is totally part of your “care team”, right?), etc. Taking care of ourselves is hard…why? Because we are busy. We as women, have high expectations for ourselves, whether we are a stay-at-home mom, own and run our own business, are a leader in the business world, or any other combination of roles women have today. When life gets busy, unfortunately sometimes those plans and expectations for ourselves take a back seat to all of the other responsibilities that fall in our laps. Of course, we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our families, but you know what (and I bet you’ve heard this before)? We can’t take care of others unless we serve and love ourselves first. Fill your bucket first, and it will pour out for others to enjoy as well.

So…part of taking care of ourselves is taking care of our bodies. Both physically and emotionally. Having a physical therapist in your corner to check in with who is knowledgeable about the body from a joint/muscle/pain perspective, as well as one who can guide you in a more holistic way to live a healthier life is a great idea. PT’s are well-educated on the human body and how it works from many aspects. I have always said throughout my years as a clinician that we land on the holistic edge of the traditional healthcare system. Our healthcare system is really built to “fix problems” as opposed to “prevent problems”. Modern medicine is absolutely amazing for so many of us who are in need of advanced healthcare; however, over the years, I have learned by observation of my patients and others that our society has shifted to a mindset of relying on someone else to fix their problems, most often with medication of some sort. We’ve gotten away from taking responsibility for our own bodies and our own health. We live a life of convenience…quick fixes. Think medications instead of changes to our diet and exercise routines, fast food instead of food grown from the soil, etc. Instant gratification has made us needy and honestly…a bit lazy! Physical therapists can help you help yourself…so use us to your advantage!

If you’re ready to take your health back into your hands instead of leaving your future to chance, find a physical therapist who can help you stay healthy, one who can help you resolve your pain through more natural means when it pops up, and one who can guide you through the right exercise programs for you…right where you are. Our needs change as we age, so having someone who knows you, your background, and your vision and goals can really put you a step ahead of the game. In many states, including Texas, physical therapists are allowed to treat patients not just for injuries and pain, but also in the area of wellness. This is where you get a jump start! We can look at your strength, flexibility, and movement patterns to help you fill in the gaps where your deficiencies are hiding. Our bodies change as we age, so having knowledge of potential problems and fixing them before they become an issue is one of the best ways to live AND lead your life.

I’m in this with you…busy, crunched on time, and super tired of this pandemic! Let’s keep taking one step at a time and keep our eyes fixed on our vision for our lives. Having community makes so much difference, so let’s make one together. Join my Facebook Group, Women of ALEYA PT & Wellness, today, and let’s start rooting each other on.