Mobile clinic brings physical treatment to patients

After graduating with her doctorate in physical therapy, Jackie Bullock spent four years working in outpatient clinics. During this time, she became aware of the many barriers that prevented patients from receiving care.

“People would cancel because it didn’t work with their work schedule, or they were older or they just had a surgery where they couldn’t drive and they would say, ‘It's just too much work,” she said.

With the mental support and guidance of her husband and family, Bullock started Glacier Peaks Mobile Physical Therapy to take a more patient-centered approach to care.

“My goal is to improve the access of physical therapy and provide the highest level of evidence-based care. I bring all of the equipment and skilled expertise that you would get in a typical outpatient clinic,” Bullock said. “I bring the clinic to the patient so that they’re not limited by work, childcare, or any kind of mobility issues.”

Bullock completed her doctorate at the University of Montana and also holds a bachelor’s in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. Having worked in a variety of clinical settings, she is certified in dry needling, pelvic floor therapy, and LSVT BIG, an evidence based treatment approach for Parkinson’s disease.

“[LSVT BIG] is a pretty amazing form of treatment and can really help with Parkinson's disease. It helps people reduce the risk of falls and helps patients to live their life better,” she said.

Bullock knows firsthand the importance of physical strength and mobility as she loves to raft, hike, ski, and mountain bike and has completed several marathons, triathlons, and an ultra marathon. Because of her passion for outdoor recreation and sports, she offers fitness and endurance programs that are customizable to a client’s needs.

“I love helping people reach their goals and getting them back to whatever sport or activity they’re passionate about. The way I treat is very patient-specific. Whatever their goal is, I try to be creative with the exercises and treatment plan to help them return to their prior level.”

This desire to help people regain their strength also permeates her work with postpartum mothers. Glacier Peak’s mobile model helps new moms who might have difficulty leaving the house after childbirth, especially if they have other children.

“The typical western model is to have your baby, have a six week follow up, and then it’s ‘Alright, go do your thing!’ There’s not a lot of guidance in terms of what [postpartum women] should be doing. Working with this population gives me a lot of joy and purpose.”

Bullock said that in some countries, pelvic floor therapy for postpartum mothers is even prescribed.

“We're trained in our culture to not ask for help and that we can do it ourselves. Sometimes it can feel shameful to reach out even though it's not,” she said.

“I have also treated a lot of kiddos. Their parents love the mobile model because they don't have to bring them to another appointment,” Bullock said.

From geriatrics to postpartum mothers to post operative and post injury kids and adults, Bullock loves helping a variety of people. Multi-centered care is important to Bullock who believes that to recover physically, clients should put equal focus on their mental health.

“New research that's coming out shows that people don't heal as well unless they address that psychological component too,” Bullock explained. “If we’re stressed, it increases cortisol, which increases inflammation, and then you're in that inflammatory cycle.”

Bullock said that she encourages her patients to take a whole body approach to healing and, if needed, utilize a mental health practitioner, chiropractor, personal trainer or a nutritionist.

“Physical therapy not only guides you through exercises, but gives you tools you need so you can be independent and keep up your strength and mobility so you can live your life pain-free and at your highest potential,” said Bullock.

Glacier Peaks Physical Therapy is in network provider with Medicare, Allegiance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mountain Health Co-Op and PacificSource. Bullock can also bill other insurance companies out of network and allows the option for clients without insurance to self pay.

Bullock offers services to Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Kalispell residents and can be reached Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a free 15-minute phone consultation at 406-426-1560. To learn more, visit her website at glacierpeaksmobilept.com or Instagram @glacierpeaksmobilept.

Reporter Summer Zalesky may be reached at szalesky@dailyinterlake.com.