As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Why Did I Choose to Join Activcore?

December 17, 2022

When I was first accepted into physical therapy school, my goal was to work in an outpatient orthopedic setting. I envisioned treating highly motivated athletes with the latest tools and technologies so that I could provide a meaningful change in their lives. The first two years of my doctorate level program emphasized academics and research. The third (and final) year emphasized clinical learning through 4 different clinical rotations. Fortunately for me, my last rotation was at Activcore.

When I first entered the facility I knew this was going to be different from my previous rotations. I remember meeting my Clinical Instructor and walking into a large room with so many red ropes hanging from the ceiling. My first few days were spent primarily observing the staff and learning how the body works as a whole. While physical therapy school gave me a basic understanding of how to assess and treat patients, I remember going into this clinical affiliation with a lack of confidence when working with those who didn't respond to conventional PT.

After observing a few treatments, I found the physical therapists at Activcore making connections within the body in ways I hadn’t learned in PT school or in my previous clinical rotations. They assessed their clients like I had never seen before. First and foremost, regardless of the patient's condition or symptoms, they always looked at their whole body from head to toe.

How does working the hips, pelvis and inner thighs possibly affect their neck pain? How does activating the serratus anterior muscle influence their hip stability with every step they take? How does the pressure in the core impact their posture and breathing mechanics?

This was the start of when things really began to click for me. My confidence as a clinician soared with every positive outcome. At that moment, I knew I had to work in a place like this.

Fast forward 8 years. I have been working at Activcore since graduating PT school. The one-on-one treatment setting gives me time to develop and refine my skills. The Redcord suspension system allows me to correct muscle imbalances as the underlying root cause of so many ailments. The team environment provides me opportunities to learn from and grow with experts in the industry.

If you would like me to show you what I've learned over these years, please contact Activcore Bernardsville.

Disclaimer:  The views expressed in this article are based on the opinion of the author, unless otherwise noted, and should not be taken as personal medical advice. The information provided is intended to help readers make their own informed health and wellness decisions.

Dr. Jason Goncalves

Physical Therapist
Dr. Jason Goncalves is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in sports injury rehabilitation, orthopedics and complex pain syndromes. He is a leading authority in suspension based physical therapy (Redcord) and a TPI certified golf practitioner who helps athletes overcome pain and movement limitations, both on and off the green. He works at Activcore in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
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