Meet Step & Spine’s New Physical Therapist, Jessie Stevens

It’s not a stretch to say that most of Jessie Stevens’ life is focused on optimizing the performance and functionality of the human body – others’ as well as her own.

Besides being a doctor of physical therapy who, starting June 2, became Step & Spine Physical Therapy’s newest PT at our Redmond clinic, Jessie is a bit of an athlete in her own right. She and her husband – also a physical therapist – enjoy swimming, some cycling and a bit of running.

Back to back.

For very long distances.

“We did two IRONMAN races last year, and we’re doing IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene (Idaho) again at the end of June – our third one in all,” Jessie said, referring to the series of long-distance triathlons requiring athletes to swim 2.4 miles and cycle 112 miles before running  a full marathon distance.

“It’s a lot of work, and it’s a lot of hours of training, but I get to spend all those hours outside riding my bike and running. That’s the lifestyle I absolutely love.”

Jessie also loves being in the position as a physical therapist to help others set and accomplish functional and/or performance-based goals, as well. With three years of experience as a practicing clinician, Jessie specializes in outpatient orthopedics with a focus on manual therapy. She’s also received training in pelvic floor therapy and is skilled in sports medicine, adult neurology and geriatrics.

Jessie said she first become interested in the physical therapy profession when, as a kid growing up in Mora, Minn., her mom took her to work. See, Jessie’s mom’s a physical therapist, too.

“I would go with her to work and just be around her and her coworkers. I liked what their day looked like and how they got to interact with patients,” she said. “From the time I was 10, I knew what I was going to do with my life. I knew I wanted to go to the University of Minnesota to major in kinesiology, then go to PT school.”

It just so happens that’s the very path she followed. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree, Jessie moved south to Florida to attend the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, where she earned her doctorate in physical therapy. She returned there for several days last January to complete her Manual Therapy Certification.

It was also in Florida where she got her first road bike and competed in her first sprint triathlon.

“It was great instant gratification for me because I had a lot of fun and placed well in my age group,” Jessie said. “So I thought bigger. I started competing more and more, and my goal ultimately became to participate in the IRONMAN.”

Soon after completing school, Jessie moved to Roseburg, Ore., where she served as an outpatient physical therapist at Mercy Institute of Rehabilitation. Her husband worked there, as well. Last fall, they both met Step & Spine founder and lead physical therapist, Barrett Ford, who left a lasting impression.

“I really liked him and what he was doing with both of his clinics (in Sisters and Redmond),” she said. “He’s just a really great guy and I knew from the moment I met him that he’s putting on an honest show. The staff that works for him is personable and they’re all true experts in their field.”

Jessie said she knew as soon as the opportunity presented itself that she wanted to join the Step & Spine Physical Therapy team.

“It’s exciting to join that group of professionals,” she said. “The motivation everybody has to do a good job there and the professional diversity of the PTs who are working under Barrett is incredible.”

According to Barrett, the feeling is mutual.

“We’re thrilled to have someone of Jessie’s caliber joining our staff,” he said. “She’s the type of physical therapist who, based on the various ways she pushes herself and the limits of her own body, will be able to relate to patients on a profound level. Whether they wish to achieve optimal athletic performance or simply want to function every day without pain, Jessie has the education, training and experience to help patients make and achieve their goals.”

Jessie, her husband and their 120-pound dog, Winston (half St. Bernard, half German shorthaired pointer) currently live in Redmond. And for those on the lookout for race results, IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene is scheduled for Sunday, June 29. Join us in wishing both Jessie and her husband the best of luck!