The Embodied Phyzio

JJ is an amazing physical therapist and delightful human - they were so kind, empathetic, and thorough during our work together. It truly feels like JJ is a partner and is with you on your wellness journey, wherever it may lead. I was consistently amazed by their knowledge of the way humans work and their ability to describe what was happening in an understandable way. They were easily able to trouble shoot and come up with custom adjustments for exercises to work with my specific body sensitivities. JJ's approach meant the program they designed helped me not only with my original issue, but also with reducing the number and severity of migraines I was having. I feel more balanced, capable, and I learned a lot about how my body works as a hypermobile person. It's hard to put every positive thing about working with JJ into one review - the entire experience was exactly what I've always wanted out of a PT experience but couldn't find in other providers. I have and will continue to recommend JJ to folks!

JJ is great at what they do and is also awesome at communicating really nuanced stuff. They have helped me reframe my whole approach to working out and training for life. I went to so many PTs and chiropractors and massage therapists for years who just could not manage the systemic hypermobile picture I present. And I dont even have EDS, Im just a bendy, body-aware, fascially-bound basic human. All I want to be able to do is take my little hikes and do my yard work and play with my kid and go for some swims comfortable as I approach 40. JJ is helping me get there. They are following what my body presents, giving me a plan, and adjusting it when new things pop up. After having my kid three years ago, Ive basically had hip and back pain that would not go away and I slept with a pillow under my legs. For the last month I am pillow-free and wake up without shooting back pain in the morning. JJ feels like a partner and a coach in this more than somone just trying to send you on your way. If you are willing to do the work, talk with them, pay attention to your body, and follow their lead, it will help. Ive stuck with them longer than I thought I could outside of insurance and now Im budgeting to keep programming bc it is not worth losing this progress or giving it up to me. Worth the investment of time and money and attention if you are ready to give it. JJ is also queer-centric, neurodivergent friendly, and an all around accepting person which means I don't have to be on edge about anything in my appointments, its a real change of pace and I am grateful for it.

JJ is an incredible person to work with for recovery, injury prevention, or to hit new performance goals. Their knowledge and understanding of how bodies and brains work makes them a great problem-solver, and they’re always willing to meet you where you are to design a program that will work best for your needs. I first came to them with some lower back pain in specific motions, and they helped me figure out what was causing it and work toward pain-free stability. In the process, we uncovered some underlying weaknesses that we could troubleshoot at the same time. It is so crucial that they bring a deep and personal understanding of aerial arts and hypermobility to a field that often fails both communities. I am eternally grateful for their patience, adaptability, creativity, and humor. We’re transitioning to less frequent maintenance work, but I still feel supported and cared for with the toolkit they’ve helped me build out.

It's difficult to put into words how much JJ has helped me in the past ~7 months or so that we've worked together. I came to JJ with at least a decade's worth of issues (pain, fatigue, injuries) under my belt. I had been in physical therapy at other facilities, including UNC and EmergeOrtho, over and OVER again without any real, lasting improvement in my symptoms. I had recently put some of the pieces of the puzzle together myself (I'm hypermobile and that was causing a lot of my pain), but I was facing a huge "now what?" in terms of what to do to actually see improvement. Without JJ's expertise as well as their kindness, patience, and support, I know I wouldn't be where I am today. My hypermobility means, for me, that my joints aren't properly stabilized the way they should be by my connective tissue, so I had pretty severe muscle stiffness and pain from compensating for that. Previous providers had only focused on the presenting complaint (ex. lower back pain) without more thoroughly investigating the root cause. The very first session JJ was able to evaluate my history as well as my range of motion, strength, and other factors in order to substantiate that my lower back pain was being caused by muscles tightening up to support my hips. Since then, the program that they've put together for me has been challenging, certainly, but still easy to stick with because 1) I can actually tell a difference in my level of pain and mobility on it, and 2) JJ is incredible at developing trust in the patient-provider relationship through listening, empathizing, and providing support. That trust was a critical component in cultivating buy-in on my part, and in my ability to be completely honest and give feedback on what was working and what wasn't. I have had so many honestly mind blowing moments where JJ said or did something that helped understanding click into place for me, or that changed the way I approached my rehabilitation for the better. They are a true wealth of information, experience, and expertise that is rare to find in combination with the level of empathy and compassion that they exhibit. I could not recommend JJ more highly than I do, without reservation, and if any of your struggles sound like mine, or you're hesitating to book an appointment- go ahead and connect with them. If you're willing to put in the work, JJ will make sure you have everything else you need on their end to meet your goals.

JJ is an incredible PT and a wonderful person to work with. I have hyper mobility and had a health concern that exacerbated that issue. I initially went to JJ with hip issues - the same issue that had led my sister to need mobility aides despite PT. JJ gave me relief tools to manage the pain, and tools to strengthen and balance so that it virtually stopped being an issue, which was far beyond what I expected from our work together. When the same things that led to the hip problem manifested in shoulder pain, JJ was able to help with that as well, while helping maintain the gains we had made with my hips. As a trans man, I appreciated how competent with queer and trans issues they were, and felt comfortable working with them on pelvic issues, which was something I had a lot of apprehension about. JJ is so knowledgeable and a wonderful teacher and communicator, with tons of tools in their toolbox. If a specific exercise wasn’t working for me, they’d work with me to find an alternative that did. Since working with JJ, I’ve been raving to friends about how wonderful PT is, which is down to what a wonderful experience I’ve had with JJ.

One of the best practitioners I’ve ever worked with. After a bit of time together I suffered an injury and JJ not only helped me through it, but I’m much stronger and connected to my body on the other side. My favorite part about working with JJ is that they always explain the “why” of the what is happening and how we are addressing it. Also, I am able to completely unmask while working with JJ which is such a relief as a neurodivergent person. 10/10 recommend.

I cannot say enough good things about JJ Hurst/The Embodied Phyzio. I have had my share of physical issues over the years, thus I’ve worked with a number of physical therapists. JJ is by far the most outstanding physical therapist I have ever worked with. I hate to say it, but I’ve had some difficulty with other physical therapists as a woman and now as a woman in her 50s who is still involved in gymnastics. Rather than treating me like it’s time to hang it up and play bingo, they show care and concern for you as a patient regardless of age, gender, etc. JJ is all in and ready to do whatever it takes for you to meet your personal goals. They really take time to listen to you and assess your issues. Every time I have an appointment, I am thoroughly impressed with JJ’s knowledge of the inner workings of the human body. JJ has specialization for people involved in dance, circus, & gymnastics and knows what muscles are involved in various movements. Because of this I have been able to make great progress. For a number of years, it’s been painful to perform a cartwheel. I’ve done muscle activation therapy, massage, assisted stretching, visited an orthopedist and other physical therapists and really didn’t get anywhere. Within a couple of months of working with JJ I can say that I am one happy, cartwheeling gal! We are also working on a weak shoulder and making great strides there as well. I am so grateful and I think you would be too!

JJ is the best. I am hypermobile, meaning I have chronic joint and health issues, and have been to various physical therapists since I was a teenager. JJ is the first PT I have had who knows what my body needs to get better from my injuries and chronic pain. Not only did my daily pain level go down almost immediately after I began working with JJ, I also have gained a hung amount of understanding around my body, my chronic condition, and the various interacting issues that come up. I also feel validating and understood by a PT for the first time. I can’t speak enough about the wonders JJ works and recommend seeing JJ for chronic issues as well as acute ones, as the knowledge and method implemented here are leaps and bounds above anything else I have experienced anywhere else.