Physical Therapy the Focus of Career Exploration

Career Exploration Week at Washington Primary School included a visit from Jill Beck-Chevalier, a physical therapist, Washington School mom and 2005 Huntington High School alum.

Dr. Beck-Chevalier was well-received by Washington’s kindergarten students, who were enthralled as she made a presentation on the “wonderful world of physical therapy.”

“The students were able to learn about how physical therapists help people strengthen and rehabilitate the muscles and joints in their bodies,” Washington Principal Michelle Richards said.

Dr. Beck-Chevalier shared that physical therapy helps people who have been injured or have a physical disability so they can move their bodies betters. “The students were able to stretch their body parts using bands and engage with replicas of parts of the bodies,” Dr. Richards added.

“Physical therapy is care that aims to ease pain and help you function, move and live better,” according to an overview found on the Web MD website. You may need it to: Relieve pain; Improve movement or ability; Prevent or recover from a sports injury; Prevent disability or surgery; Rehab after a stroke, accident, injury or surgery; Work on balance to prevent a slip or fall; Manage a chronic illness like diabetes, heart disease of arthritis; Control your bowels or bladder; Adapt to an artificial limb; Learn to use assistive devices like a walker or cane; Get a splint or brace. People of all ages benefit from physical therapy. It can treat a variety of health problems.”

Dr. Beck-Chevalier played on a variety of Blue Devil sports teams while attending Huntington High School. She went on to enjoy a fine career with the Iona College lacrosse team.

A lifelong resident of Huntington, Dr. Beck-Chevalier is an active member of the local community. She completed her doctorate at Stony Brook University after achieving a Bachelor of Science degree at Iona College. Her interest and passion for physical therapy blossomed as an NCAA Division I athlete; spending countless hours in the training room recovering from injuries, as well as interning and helping her fellow student athletes achieve their goal of returning to competition. She enjoys all aspects of orthopedic care and gravitates towards the athlete of high school or college age.