Meet Corey Hillman of Gate City Physio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey Hillman

Hi Corey , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve had a passion for healthy living from an early age, and by the time I was a young adult I knew my career would be as part of the medical field in some way or other. After completing my undergrad at UNC Greensboro, I moved around within a couple different areas of the health industry for about a decade. Eventually I came to realize the personal and interactive nature and methods of a Physical Therapist was exactly the right measure for many patients, as well as the right fit for me. Having decided on that, I headed to Baylor to complete my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) training.

Interestingly, the more exposure I had to the actual healthcare system upon completing my training – as opposed to the theoretical environment I’d been training in – the more I began to wonder about my decision. Here in the real world the Physical Therapy process seemed just that: a process. Things were very protocol-driven rather than individualized, profit-driven rather than value-based and (most surprising of all) reactive rather than proactive and preventative.

As such, like a growing number of practitioners around the country, I found myself wanting to offer the Triad community a different idea of how physical therapy and specifically pain care could be delivered. A model focused on the patient as a whole, that focused on true rebuilding rather than basic restoring of physical capacity, and one that reintroduced and reinvigorated the central importance of the Doctor/Client Relationship.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like in any worthwhile endeavor, there are certainly challenges that one experiences along the way. I can tell you that learning how to run a business is a completely different challenge than the schooling to become a physical therapist! Marketing, messaging, and learning the ins and outs of small business taxes have proven to have a steeper learning curve than I initially thought. That being said, the reward of educating the community on the benefits of headache and TMJ physical therapy is so rewarding! I love educating and empowering my patients and community, and at the end of the day, it makes all the business challenges worth it!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Gate City Physio ?
Gate City Physio is a physical therapy clinic specializing in headaches, migraines and TMJ disorders. We are one of the only physical therapy clinics in North Carolina who specialize in this area. Treating these patients requires a unique approach. From the moment a patient walks into our clinic, they will notice a difference. Patients are seen one on one for an hour in a calm, peaceful space with warm, natural lighting. At our first visit, we will dive deep into all the different musculoskeletal components that contribute to their headache/facial pain as well as specific lifestyle factors that are contributing to their symptoms. We place a particular focus on the role of the neck and shoulders as I find these are often most overlooked in headache and TMJ pain..

This work is personal to me. During my schooling, I suffered from severe headaches almost daily and was living on Advil and caffeine. When I was introduced to the power of manual therapy and specific lifestyle changes I was amazed at the healing I started to experience. Now my headaches are a couple of times a month and there are simple changes I can implement to help my symptoms. I’m honored now to work in this field to help others suffering from headaches and TMJ feel empowered and hopeful that they can get back to living their lives!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
“What makes you happy?” Ah yes, only one of the most existential questions in life! Where to begin… From a professional standpoint, I feel such joy (and honor!) walking alongside my patients. In my specific area of specialty, I often see folks who have been suffering from headaches, migraines, or jaw pain for years, sometimes decades. They have seen everyone from neurologists to alternative practitioners and often feel they fall through the cracks of the healthcare system. Educating and empowering them with hope for feeling better is the highest professional joy I can imagine. I’m grateful my patients allow me a small part in their journey.

From a personal side, I love being active outdoors with my wife and friends through hiking, canoeing, and exploring the state and national park systems! I’m also an avid reader and Star Trek fan!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gborophysio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gate_city_physio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GateCityPhysio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChkBUc7_RUBmkwMO-z3p99Q