From Observation to Impact

Hi, my name is Jillian Feldman. I am a rising junior, and Brain, Behavior and Cognition major at Whitman. This summer, I had the exciting opportunity to intern with Lake Washington Physical Therapy at their West Seattle clinic location. With this internship, I also got the opportunity to intern with Zach Lyons, an athletic trainer that works part-time for, West Seattle Junction FC. Lake Washington Physical Therapy is very interesting as it is located near West Seattle's Alki Beach, which is a hub for high activity as well as home to a large sum of West Seattle’s older population. With the large spectrum of people of different ages and backgrounds, I was able to learn about a wide variety of diagnoses and treatment plans and take full advantage of my experience here. 

A typical day for me during this summer’s soccer season started with my 8 a.m. drive up to the Delridge Playfields, right off the West Seattle bridge. I would get there at about 8:45 a.m., and if Zach wasn’t there yet, help the Junction FC’s head coach set up for practice. Once Zach arrives, I assist with setting up the trainer’s station. We had a table, first aid kit, athletic bands, rollers and tennis balls for muscle tightness, etc. Usually I saw the same few athletes every day while they were maintaining their health post injury. I got the chance to watch Zach evaluate injuries at practices and games, and was able to learn a lot of things about sports related injuries. I learned how to wrap ankles and wrists, and certain exercises to help with the most common soccer related injuries. After practice was over and I was done taking notes and asking questions, I’d help pack all of his AT gear up and carry it back to his car. Now that the Junction practice was over, I’d eat a quick lunch and drive over to the clinic on Alki for the second half of my day. 

Walking into the clinic, I say “Hi” to the physical therapists and set my bag down in the back office. Once it hits noon, I walk down the hall to whoever is available to shadow and assist with. Most days, I would observe, ask questions, assist with exercises and learn about the human anatomy and bodily mechanics. Occasionally, after being in the clinic for a while, I got the chance to suggest different workouts for patients and demonstrate and explain exercises. I spent the rest of my Mondays–Thursdays here until around 5 p.m. 

Coming into this experience, I did not expect to absorb as much knowledge as I did. Learning about dry needling, ultrasound, patient workups and more was not on my Summer 2025 bingo card, nor was understanding the mere impact of physical therapy on peoples lives. Physical therapy works to resolve pain. Whether neurological, muscular or bone, pain can transform how a person lives their daily life. Being able to witness change first hand in the lives of patients at Lake Washington Physical Therapy has truly been the greatest gift of interning there this summer. I hope that the future steps I take to further my career in physical therapy, while at Whitman or beyond, continue to amaze me, and that I can one day help transform people’s lives into something they enjoy living again.