Pain-free movement + young kids

“They look at you holistically, Yes, you have a need right now, but let’s help you longterm and help you learn more about what’s going on – to help you help yourself.”

I'm Kristi Dillon. I work at Iowa State University. I'm an active mom of three kids. We have a Christmas tree farm on the side, so lots of physical activity going on outside the workplace.

I started working with Chris in 2013, mostly for my knee. I have bad knees from being an athlete in high school and college. I worked with him on that and then just kind of made that relationship and that stuck and we continued through just off and on ever since then.

Chris I usually call in my emergency situations where I'm like, on the floor, can't move or terrible headaches or whatever it is – more that in need now type of situation. And then he's been great at referring me to Megan because there are things that I need to do to maintain it long term on the physical therapy side. So working with her on some things that I can hopefully prevent some of those just-in-time situations.

Movement to me means a lot of things. I mean, first and foremost, it's getting out of bed and going without pain throughout the day but more so like being able to do things with my kids and keep up with them as they're growing and their athletic ability, and staying busy and active. And then also on the tree farm. There's not a movement that we don't do there. I mean, it's just day-to-day things, but also small muscles that you don't use every day that need to be ready to go for when the work is there. Sitting all day to then cutting down a tree or mowing or picking up logs, whatever it is. I love it.

I've actually referred quite a few people. I just say, go to Chris. He's great, right? But more so as United Movement has grown, I've also referred to Megan to say, hey, like they look at it holistically. They look at it from, yes, you have a need right now, but let's help you long term and help you learn more about what's going on to then help you help yourself, right? So they're great at developing great relationships, really making you feel like you're part of their family or their team. Um, and that's why I love coming here. They're just awesome people.