Meet Dr. Corey Hillman | Headache and TMJ Physical Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Corey Hillman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Corey, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As a creative, I’ve always had a desire to put a personal stamp on work. In my specific field of physical therapy, practices are often set up in large loud gyms with individuals doing route exercises by themselves. Personalization and specificity are often lacking due to this business model. This is particularly the case in my area of specialization: headaches, neck pain and TMJ pain. Individuals suffering from these conditions often have tried “everything” and are looking for an individualized experience and a doctor who has the time to listen and offer tailored solutions. In opening Gate City Physio, I wanted a practice focused on the patient as a whole, emphasizing true rebuilding rather than basic restoring of physical capacity, and one that reintroduced and reinvigorated the central importance of the Doctor/Client Relationship.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Gate City Physio is a physical therapy clinic specializing in headaches, migraines and TMJ disorders. We are one of the only physical therapy clinics in North Carolina who specialize in this area. Treating these patients requires a unique approach. From the moment a patient walks into our clinic, they will notice a difference. Patients are seen one on one for an hour in a calm, peaceful space with warm, natural lighting. At our first visit, we will dive deep into all the different musculoskeletal components that contribute to their headache/facial pain as well as specific lifestyle factors that are contributing to their symptoms. We place a particular focus on the role of the neck and shoulders as I find these are often most overlooked in headache and TMJ pain..

This work is personal to me. During my schooling, I suffered from severe headaches almost daily and was living on Advil and caffeine. When I was introduced to the power of manual therapy and specific lifestyle changes I was amazed at the healing I started to experience. Now my headaches are a couple of times a month and there are simple changes I can implement to help my symptoms. I’m honored now to work in this field to help others suffering from headaches and TMJ feel empowered and hopeful that they can get back to living their lives!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My office is located in the downtown area, so finding a coffee shop or place to eat is as easy as walking out the front door! Some of my favorite spots include Chez Genese a French inspired bistro (try the savory crepe!) , Thrive Coffee , and Scuppernong books (Greensboro’s favorite indie bookstore). If you are looking to enjoy a walk around the center city, check out the downtown greenway!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely. As the saying goes: ‘it takes a village’… and it’s certainly been no exception in my case. I’ve had many excellent mentors educationally (particularly the Craniofacial Therapy Academy), clinically and at the level of practical business establishment. I consider myself here for my community, and that’s in no small part because my community has been here for me.

To name a few: I’ve had constant and unwavering support from my spouse (Carrie), my friends and family, and quite a few peers in the industry. It’s fundamentally an ‘us’ thing, and here in Greensboro all of us are working together to bring vibrant health to our community and we’re extremely grateful for the support they have given us!

Website: https://www.gborophysio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gate_city_physio/

Image Credits
AJ Photography