Nicole Hill, Head of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Nicole brings extensive physical therapy experience to IFSMED. From 2001-2008 she was the manager of the Sub-Acute Rehabilitation program at Sharp Hospital where she gained experience helping those recover physically from traumatic brain injury, orthopedic injuries, stroke, breast cancer survivors. And from 2009-2010 she performed physical therapy at Rehab United specializing in vestibular rehab. She has her B.S. in Sports Medicine from Pepperdine University and her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Chapman University. She is certified in vestibular rehab—Tier I and II and pilates principles for physical therapy.
Get to know Nicole
What can people expect from a physical therapy session?
People can expect to work towards the individual goals the patient and myself set for them at the initial evaluation. From there we evaluate what their impairments are, whether it is loss of strength, range of motion, walking quality and or balance. We then address each impairment in sessions with hands-on manual work by the patient as well as completing an at-home exercise program. The hope is to get them as close to their prior level of function and educate them on how to maintain their quality of life and movement.
How long are people usually in physical therapy?
Every patient is different and I treat each patient as an individual; when they have met their goals and the goals I have set for them is an ideal time to discharge. This does not happen for each individual, but it is the hope at discharge. Some patients might require life long therapy broken down into follow ups over the years to address the changes that occur in their disease process.
What is the difference between the therapy you provide verses the therapy offered by Lucia, the physical therapy aid?
Lucia provides modalities which are a great way to address injuries, pain, and inflammation issues; however, this is a passive approach toward those impairments. With myself, this is when the active approach begins. Manual work will be done by myself such as stretching, providing and assisting with strengthening exercises, balance training, pilates principles to address core strength and balance, education on anatomy, safety, and through a home exercise program provide the necessary tools to be independent in maintaining their level of function.
What do you like to do for fun on the weekend?
I love to run with my two dogs, ride my bike, garden and go to the beach. Anything outdoors with my four legged kids, my husband and friends is an ideal weekend for me.
