Meet Jill Hoefs | Physical therapist and owner of Body Align Physical Therapy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Hoefs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, what role has risk played in your life or career?
While I’m often risk averse when it comes to down hill skiing and adventure sports, taking risks professionally has paid off.  While I loved the security of a paycheck and benefits as a full-time employee, I knew it was time to branch out on my own. I hoped my loyal patients would follow me and they did. This was one of my best decisions, I didn’t yet have a family and I put everything into my physical therapy practice, Body Align Physical Therapy. My business grew – hallelujah! I still remember my fears as I hired my first employee, 12 years ago.  My head spun, thinking about payroll, health insurance, and the best benefit package.   I made my share of mistakes, but again, I was glad I took the risk. Together we grew the business and my apprehension lessened with future hiring decisions.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is a small women’s health physical therapy practice in a NJ suburb of NYC.    We specialize in prenatal and postpartum care.   Our patients feel valued, as their voices are heard, their problems are identified and addressed, and they are educated to avoid a recurrence. Often the source of their injury and symptoms aren’t the same. I may release tight muscles in a patient’s jaw to help her neck pain. Or address flat feet when a patient reports hip pain. I spend 45-60 minutes with each individual patient,  allowing plenty of time to find the root cause of their pain. I am proud of the knowledge I have to help my pregnant patients overcome pregnancy challenges and/or postpartum moms recover from a difficult delivery. I have a specialized prenatal treatment table so my patients are comfortable and offer solutions to help my new moms feel like themselves again.

Succeeding as a small health care practice in a sea of hedge-fund backed medical practices isn’t easy. I often feel like a salmon swimming upstream. Not all patients know there is an alternative to factory-like therapy. But those that have experienced the difference, are happy to pay more than a copayment for the uncompromised care I provide.

One lesson I’ve learned along the way, is that physical therapy is not just physical. There is a strong emotional component that needs to also be acknowledged. Sadness can be associated with prolonged pain. Anxiety can come with undiagnosed symptoms. When I support patients emotionally and refer them to specialists as needed, they can make a full recovery and meet their goals..

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In NYC – ABC V and, and Buddakan restaurants broadway show
lower east side architecture
NYC Marathon – first Sunday in November – best spectating event and display of human kindness and perseverance
thai food almost anywhere
Yankee game
concert at MSG

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My colleague, Dr. Ethan Ciment encouraged me to start my own practice. His kindness can’t be forgotten. He and his office manager taught me how to submit claims to the insurance companies and run a practice. He introduced me to all his colleagues and trusted me with his patients’ recoveries. Ethan was instrumental in my success and unforgettable. He is worthy of a shout out and so much more.

Website: www.bodyalignpt.com

Instagram: body_align_pt

Linkedin: Jill Hoefs

Facebook: Body Align Physical Therapy