Throughout my didactic and clinical learning experiences, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to spend time learning with exceptional therapists one of which was Dr. Sarah Crawford, PT, DPT. Quickly, I learned that the traditional delivery of PT services which usually includes 18-20 visits over a period of three to four months is not necessary for everyone. I also gained first-hand experience with the benefits of educating clients in addition to taking time to learn their personal motivations. What I witnessed with the use of this information was that clients began to take ownership of their health and feel autonomous in the management of their long-term wellness. Lastly, I saw just how dynamic the practice of Physical Therapy is and how pivotal it is to recognize and understand all aspects of a patient’s life to determine its effect on their condition & ability to heal.
After having this transformative experience, I knew I wanted to practice in a way that brings valuable, holistic, individualized care to clients. When approached to participate in a post-doctoral Mentorship with Dr. Crawford at Anchor Wellness, there was little hesitancy because I knew that the gains would far outweigh the cost. Interestingly, I didn’t see value in participating in a physical therapy residency or fellowship immediately upon graduation but the Mentorship was more appealing because of direct, clinical experience with a known PT as well as the opportunity to do so in a part-time fashion which allowed me to still work and apply learned skills independently in parallel to Mentorship. Following seven years of education, this mentorship opportunity provides me a faster, more focused, and guided way of achieving access to private practice, non-insurance-based care.
The post-doctoral mentorship at Anchor Wellness incorporates co-treatment of patients, skill enhancement practice, and clinical decision-making discussion. Exposure to techniques that were not taught in depth in school include:
- Myofascial integrity and treatment interventions including Myofascial Release and Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Craniosacral Therapy
- The Maitland Approach to manual therapy
- The importance of pelvic floor and stabilization training
- Pilates Rehab
- and so much more!
Every clinic has something different to offer, but here are some of the reasons why I chose to start my career at Anchor Wellness Cincy:
- One-on-one, high-quality manual therapy training of various techniques from someone who has a diverse record of continuing education, certifications, leadership experience, etc.
- Expedited evidence-informed training to quickly build confidence
- Team of Physical Therapists, Certified Pilates Instructors, Health Coaches, Registered Dieticians, and more outside the Anchor Wellness Center
- Avoid reliance on reimbursement from insurance
- Ability to serve the community with effective, holistic care
If you’re interested or have questions about this mentorship program/experience, please feel free to contact me anytime!
About the Author:
Dr. Jessica Volciak, PT, DPT, ATC, is an orthopedic physical therapist practicing in the outpatient, private practice setting. A 2019 graduate of Slippery Rock University. Dr. Volciak has a background in athletic training and a passion for athletics, having been a dancer through college. Dr. Volciak is participating in a post-doctoral mentorship at Anchor Wellness in Cincinnati, OH under Dr. Sarah Crawford, PT, DPT, COMT, CMTPT. Dr. Volciak is also pursuing post-graduate training in orthopedic manual therapy and trigger point dry needling. She is passionate about preventative care and health promotion. Dr. Volciak can be reached at jessica@anchorcincy.com