Dr. Jessica Hill

Physical Therapist in South Burlington, Vermont

Dr. Jessica Hill is a dedicated physical therapist, movement professional, and founder of Movement Matters. As an instructor for RockTape USA, she brings a wealth of expertise in biomechanics, fascial chains, and applied neurology. An avid telemark skier, cyclist, ice hockey player, and outdoor enthusiast, Jes is passionate about enhancing lives through movement. Guided by the principle to "always leave it better than I found it," she is committed to helping her clients achieve their goals. Her favorite part of the job is seeing her clients succeed, and she is 100% dedicated to this outcome.

Qualifications

Formal Education:

BA Biology, minor Psychology, Dartmouth College 1997
Masters Degree in Physical Therapy, Simmons College, 2002
Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy, Simmons College, 2002
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), NSCA 2001
Specialized Functional Movement Assessment practitioner (levels 1 & 2)
Functional Movement Screen practitioner (level 1)
Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) certified
Functional Movement Techniques certified provider & instructor, RockTape USA (IASTM, kinesiology taping, cupping, flossing)

Clinical Experience:

Since 2002, I have gained extensive clinical experience in general orthopedics, sports medicine, industrial rehabilitation, pre-/post-surgical care, performance enhancement, personal training, wellness training, and injury prevention. I have worked with patients of all ages and activity levels, including professional athletes, extreme athletes, law enforcement, and the military. My mission is to help others achieve "Better" by guiding them out of pain and injury and back to life.

Movement History:

If climbing gyms had been around in my childhood, it would have saved a lot of furniture. I’ve always been highly active, playing three sports in college and exploring new sports annually after graduation, including rock climbing, triathlons, mountain biking, ice hockey, skiing, and combat disciplines. Recently, I've taken up Indian clubs and knife throwing. My diverse experience in physical disciplines informs my work, and I approach new practices with a White Belt mentality, always eager to learn. My personal journey through injuries, surgeries, illness, and life’s challenges gives me valuable perspective in helping others on their movement and health journeys.

Teaching Experience:

I am an instructor for RockTape USA and PESI Education, teaching professional continuing education courses for clinicians, manual therapists, coaches, and movement practitioners across the United States. I also conduct corporate wellness courses via live Zoom webinars.

How Movement Matters is Different

At Movement Matters, we provide personalized Physical Therapy and Personal Training services focused on your unique healing journey. Recognizing that healing is different for everyone, we aim to eliminate the common barriers of insurance limitations and paperwork. We offer you unrestricted access to the care you need to truly achieve your goals.

Kind Words

Testimonials Carousel

I've worked with Jes directly for over a year. Having been around many movement professionals, Jes is unique in her combination of hard skills and interpersonal skills. She can understand, connect with and motivate people in a way that produces truly great outcomes. Jes takes the time to appreciate the nuance and complexity that is injury rehabilitation, performance training and general health. I'm thankful to know Jes and would recommend her to anyone looking to improve their life through movement.

-KG

Jes' breadth of knowledge and understanding of how bodies work—not just mechanically but also from brain, vestibular, and nerve points of view—is unmatched.

Initially, Jes helped me recover and rebuild strength after two major surgeries. I was frustrated with my inability to do exercises that were no-brainers pre-surgery, and I developed other issues from all the downtime I needed for recovery. Jes helped me understand why I couldn't do certain things post-recovery and plotted a thoughtful path to help me regain strength safely.

Moving forward, she's helping me develop physical strength and mobility that will serve me lifelong and make me 'harder to kill.' I'm setting goals and she's paving a safe and fun path to help me achieve them.

On top of all the deep knowledge and expertise, Jes is always positive, always kind, always encouraging. I cannot say enough good things about Jes or recommend her more strongly!

- LS

I have been working with Jessica Hill for many months now, both toward resolving a chronic issue, as well as toward developing a life-long habit of maintaining strength--something which has become much more important as I am aging. I cannot speak highly enough of Jessica. She brings a jaw-dropping amount of cutting-edge technical knowledge and is genuinely enthusiastic about sharing it. She is perceptive as a hawk as she identifies subtle evidence of imbalances and/or mental processes contributing toward the body's functioning. But she is also as empathic a human as I've ever encountered and has helped train me to celebrate my small victories rather than beat up on myself for not attaining some ridiculous notion of "perfection" I continue to judge myself against.Whether you're an elite athlete needing targeted rehabilitation, or a post-menopausal Mom needing to forge a new relationship with her changing body, call Jes. Really. She's just that amazing.

-SM

Jes has changed my future for the best! She is absolutely brilliant!!! I have seen multiple PT's and she is by far the best in the area!! I was told I could never do any type of lunge or other squats again and in the first week I saw her she proved that was wrong. I haven't gone skiing in 2 years because I was afraid of my knee issues. I was going to sell my ski's until I started seeing Jes. I can't wait for the ski season to come back now.

-KD

Jes is the reason that I can walk. After having my foot and ankle crushed, I was told I would not likely ever walk normally again. Through and after three reconstructive surgeries I worked with Jes. She is the single best PT with whom I have ever worked. She is determined, upbeat, knowledgeable, and never gives up.

Several years later, I worked again with Jes to rehab after knee replacement surgery. She is on the cutting edge of the science and theory of physical therapy and kinesthetic training. She understands the physiology and the psychology of rehabilitation, recovery, training, and athletics.

Now I work with Jes as a trainer to strengthen and progress as an athlete. I send everyone I know to her. She is the best and we are lucky to have her here in Vermont.

-GR

I started working with Jes in person over 3 years for an injury due to overtraining. Since then, I have continued both in person and virtually - including tackling pain my doctors had not been able to solve for years. Not only has Jes helped me through painful injuries, she has helped change my mindset around how I workout. I cannot recommend her enough - truly game-changing for me!

-DM

Jess Hill is an exceptional Physical Therapist. I had trouble with both my shoulders for 3 years, very limited range of motion without pain. After 2 visits, I could move them normally. After 4, I was completely fixed. She is also just a really amazing person.

-AB

Jess Hill is amazing. She is completely knowledgeable and thoroughly experienced. She has helped me with multiple issues relating to conditioning and recovery from injuries. She adapts every session to whatever you need as you walk in the door that day. I have worked with other physical therapists and personal trainers. She is hands down the best. I rely on her to stay in good health. I recommend her without reservation. I do not know what I would do without her.

-JO

Jes has been my “go to” PT for 17 years. She’s absolutely fabulous at her job. Her knowledge base is wider than anyone else I’ve seen. She’s open to new ideas and approaches - she listens to her clients needs. With this method she tailors each session to make it the best it can be.

-JFC

I’ve seen Jes for both my knee and shoulder. Each time I thought, “It’s time to get surgery.” Each time she got me back on track without going to the hospital.

-JC

As someone in the medical field who is often overworked and having a chronic cascade of various aches and pains, Jes is my go to for suggestions on how to improve my pain, movement and function. There has yet to be. A physical complaint that Jes has not helped to relieve.

- LF

Jes has changed my life. I had chronic pain and she helped me rehabilitate and retrain muscles that had been compensating for weaker ones. She looks at the body as a whole and not as disconnected body parts. Jes gave me confidence and she really cares. Once I got stronger, I started strength training with her and I’m having so much fun. I feel like an athlete again. I truly can’t recommend her enough. She’s awesome!

—J.L.

Jes has been my physical therapist since I was in high school. She has seen me through knee surgery from a soccer injury that left me with chronic back pain and continued to care for me throughout my medical career as a young physician. As someone in the medical field who is often overworked and having a chronic cascade of various aches and pains, Jess is my go to for suggestions on how to improve my pain, movement and function. There has yet to be a physical complaint that Jess has not helped to relieve. I was having shoulder pain for months from performing surgeries. After just a few weeks of the suggested exercises, I was back to normal and pain free. In addition, Jess does not just care for your physical condition but really cares for the whole person including checking in on mental health and holistic health. She is truly talented, engaged, energetic and an excellent physical therapist and person. I highly suggest seeing Jess for any physical health complaints.

Meticulous. Knowledgeable. Devoted. Thorough. If I had to sum up my experience with Jes, these are the words I would use. When I tore my ACL years ago and needed surgery I thought my life as I knew it was over. I am a police officer and I knew performing at anything short of 100% was not an option. The recovery was lengthy but upon my return to work, I was completely comfortable in my ability to perform my duties as required. She truly cares about people and wants them to succeed and these are the reasons she is so good at what she does."

—J.B.

I've seen Jes for both my knee and shoulder. Each time I thought, 'Well, I'm old and it's time to get this joint repaired by surgery.' Each time she got me back on track without going to the hospital.

—J.C.

Jes has the magic touch! She was able to identify where I hurt and immediately begin treating and relieving my pain. Her treatment along with the home exercises and stretches she prescribed helped get me back to work and life!

—A.L.