This feature is a question-and-answer session with a Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 251st installment visiting with Jess Core, physical therapist with Core Physical Therapy, who enjoys helping active adults and athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries to continue doing the activities they love.
Describe the services you offer. My business provides personalized one-on-one physical therapy care focused on helping active adults and athletes recover from injury, improve performance, and stay active. We meet individuals where they are and use a combination of manual therapy, strength training, stability work, and movement-based rehabilitation to address injury, reduce pain, and improve function. We don’t just focus on rehab, we also provide preventative care and performance training to help people stay healthy, resilient, and performing at their. I work with runners, golfers, baseball and pickleball players, along with individuals dealing with orthopedic injuries. I’m passionate about providing personalized care and a positive patient experience that helps people return stronger, move better, and perform at their best.
What is your background? Physical therapy is actually a second career for me. I first earned a business degree so I come in with a bit of a different background than most therapists. That business foundation has helped me a lot especially with communication, organization, and understanding how to build and run a practice while my physical therapy training gives me the clinical side.
What really pushed me into this field was my grandfather being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I saw firsthand how much physical therapy helped him, especially how it improved his movement, independence, and quality of life. That experience really stuck with me and is what led me to go back to school to become a physical therapist. I wanted to be able to help people in that same way.
Who is your biggest mentor? My biggest supporter has been my wife. She has been incredibly supportive through every stage of my journey, especially through the transition into physical therapy and building my business. She’s helped me stay focused, encouraged me through the challenges, and has been there for me every step of the way. Having her support has made a huge difference in helping me stay motivated and stay positive.
Describe your customers. My customers are mostly active adults and athletes who want to stay healthy, recover from injury, and keep doing the things they enjoy. I work with runners, golfers, baseball and pickleball players, along with people dealing with different orthopedic issues.
Most of them are active but get held back by pain, injury, or things that just keep coming back. They’re usually looking for more than a quick fix. They want someone who takes the time to really understand what’s going on and gives them a plan that’s specific to them.
What they value most is one-on-one care, clear guidance, and a process that helps them feel better, get stronger, and get back to what they love doing.
What factors shape your business? Several factors shape my business, but the biggest shift is that people are placing a higher value on their health and staying active. Patients are more proactive about preventing injury, improving performance, and seeking personalized care that fits their goals. Technology also supports this by helping track progress and stay engaged. I use a lot of objective data to track progress, which helps patients clearly see their improvements over time and stay engaged in the process. Overall, these trends align well with my focus on providing individualized, one-on-one care that helps people stay healthy and active long term.
What do you enjoy most about your profession? really enjoy getting to know my patients and building relationships with them over time. I like learning what they’re trying to get back to and what matters most to them. I also really enjoy watching their progress throughout the process. It’s very rewarding when we help them reach their goals.