Taylor Jones
Physiotherapist
Masters of Science in Physical Therapy
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Clinical Concussion and Vestibular Therapist
UBC Clinical Instructor
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of being a physiotherapist, for me, is working with patients to overcome physical and mental barriers that prevent them from resuming the activities they love due to avoidance or uncertainty after an injury. Helping people resume activities with confidence is extremely rewarding.
What is a common misconception about your work?
People often don’t understand what physiotherapy actually is unless they have experienced it firsthand themselves. They may think that physiotherapy is interchangeable with massage therapy or chiropractic care.
Was there anything challenging or unexpected when you became a physiotherapist?
Learning about the business side of private practice physiotherapy has sometimes provided a challenging learning curve, as has learning about the wide variability and non-standardization of orthopedic physiotherapy. It can be surprising to learn about the diversity of different treatment philosophies and treatment approaches between different providers.
You got your bachelor’s degree in music. What prompted the shift into physical therapy? How does your experience in undergraduate impact your current work?
Going through my undergrad and assessing potential career options, I ultimately decided to pursue one of my other interests – physical health and fitness, which lead me to pursue physiotherapy. In terms of my undergrad relating to my current work, I think it helps give me insight into some of the physical demands of playing instruments and how this can result in certain types of injuries, and it also helps me relate to individuals coming from a wide range of backgrounds.
How has your experience been working as a physiotherapist at the arts theatre?
With my background in music, working as a physiotherapist with local theatre has given me opportunities to stay involved in artistic communities and blend my passions for physical health and the arts. In this capacity, I’ve had opportunities to work with individuals with very unique orthopedic injuries and who have very unique job demands, including drag performers, actors performing many physical stunts, and crew members with very strenuous and repetitive tasks.
What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
Another hobby of mine is pursuing the sport of skydiving. Since 2015 I have been a licensed recreational skydiver.