Dr. Jacquelyn Jaronczyk joined New Dimensions Physical Therapy during the heart of the pandemic. Our patients have been loving working with her, particularly because of her comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and wellness, combining skills from both her Physical Therapy and Exercise Science backgrounds. We asked some questions about her background and training so that you can get a glimpse of her vast knowledge base.
What made you want to go into PT?
I knew I loved healthcare, but I wasn’t sure which specific route to choose. My co-worker, at the time, mentioned that she knew someone looking to hire another employee to work at a physical therapy clinic, so I decided to interview. I switched from bakery employee to PT aide/receptionist. I realized I could combine the worlds of healthcare and exercise and decided to pursue physical therapy.
Do you have a specialty or particular area of focus? Why were you drawn to this particular area?
Definitely, the combination of pelvic floor and how it intertwines with orthopedics. I was sitting in a lecture during PT school about the lower back and pelvis. My professor had mentioned the pelvic floor “being involved” with many back and hip problems, but that you would have to refer the patient to “a pelvic floor PT” to treat that. I wondered why the pelvic floor was being treated as a separate entity from the rest of the body. Looking back, I’m grateful to have had it mentioned but also frustrated that many PTs shy away from this very important area of the body. I decided to take specialized coursework outside of my school's curriculum to learn more about the pelvic floor and, in summary, it just clicked as a career path.
What do you love most about your job? What’s the greatest challenge?
I’m so grateful to be working in a position where I can treat patients one-on-one from a whole body to an individualized perspective. Dr. Lila Abbate (my boss, mentor, and dear friend) truly sets the example for all PTs to deliver top notch, personalized care. I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to study under her. Coming to work every day and hearing patients express feelings of validation and progress are the most rewarding aspects of my job. The greatest challenge is the heartbreak of listening to patients express (sometimes years worth of) providers invalidating, normalizing, or dismissing their concerns of their urinary/bowel/sexual dysfunction and pain and providing no answers to help them improve their functional status or quality of life.
Can you tell us about a particularly interesting or unusual case and how you helped them?
A patient who wanted to run recreationally without experiencing urinary incontinence came to the office for help. After instructing pelvic floor and abdominal exercises as well as proper breathing sequencing as needed, her symptoms improved but did not resolve. It was not until analyzing her tibia and foot biomechanics along with changing her gait (how she weight-bears and runs) mechanics, did her problem improve. It is not unusual to make these orthopedic to pelvic floor connections. I never get tired of seeing examples before my eyes of how connected the whole body is!
What do you like to do for fun?
Snowboarding in the winter and beach volleyball in the summer. I also love Tetris 99, coloring books, watching crime shows, and my guilty pleasure is throwback WWE wrestling. :)
Do you have any advice for aspiring PTs?
Entering the world of working as a PT will open up seemingly endless ways to customize your work experience. Have an open mind and talk to as many people as you can, even if it is virtual! If you feel like you’re experiencing self doubt, explore the idea of “imposter syndrome”. Any professor/mentor/boss who makes you feel small while you are learning as a student (and after as a PT) is not someone to spend much time thinking about. Explore continuing education classes outside of your PT curriculum. Keep going until you find something that you make you feel work, isn't actually work.
Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
If PT has failed for you before, keep an open mind and try another provider. There are so many tools in a PT’s toolbox and everyone’s a bit different. Your quality of life is worth the resilience.
To book a consultation or appointment with Dr. Jaronczyk, call us at 646-630-5815.
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