From the mentorship he’s able to provide for his staff, to the ability to communicate through the universal language of food, Jeffrey Kilsey has always found his passion in the kitchen. When he was involved in a car accident that took away his ability to work, he learned that physical therapy would be the special ingredient he needed to get back to the activities he loved.
What Brought Him To PT
With Jeffrey’s long history of injuries, he was no stranger to physical therapy. But he found himself at Performance from a hit and run accident that left him with a pull in his low back. He walked in the door feeling hopeless and defeated because his injury stole his ability to work and live the way he was used to. With his age considered, Jeffrey wanted to avoid surgery if it was possible. He realized that his best chance at living his life to the fullest was to work hard at physical therapy.
Keeping His Motivation
He was motivated to get back to work and make the world a happier place through good food. “My work is more than just earning a living – it’s therapy for me,” he says. After his experience with Dr. McKenzie Cavanaugh PT, DPT in Smithfield, he feels hopeful and excited for what the future holds. “Physical therapy has given me the tools that you could say I had before, but I never used. McKenzie has a gift to push others in the right direction and she does all these different creative exercises to switch it up.” Between his exercises and dry needling, Jeffrey has seen the difference that physical therapy can make in his movement and functional goals.
Strengthening the Mind Through Strengthening the Body
Mental health plays a prominent role in Jeffrey’s physical therapy treatment. His experience has made it clear that there is a mental component to the recovery process. “Every day is progress, every week, and every month. You’re going to fall but you have to dust yourself off and get back up.” He finds that breathing, meditation, and stretching complement the work he does with McKenzie because it allows his mind to prepare to work hard in his recovery. “After all, you learn, then you can live.”