Holley

After enduring four years of Division I sports, my body struggled to keep pace with the level and intensity of exercise that I continued to demand from it while in the “retirement stage” of my collegiate career. Without the support of my team’s athletic trainer, I lacked professional knowledge and treatment when mild knee discomfort quickly escalated into debilitating pain. 

Having been an athlete my whole life, I didn’t understand why suddenly, I couldn’t walk or descend stairs – let alone run a mile – without intense knee pain. For nearly two months I tried to remedy the situation on my own, yet my efforts were to no avail. Thankfully, multiple teammates raved about the skill and compassion of Dr. Tae.

When initially scheduling an appointment, Dr. Tae had no availability for the subsequent two weeks; however, I emailed him, explaining my situation, and he was able to make time for me within 48 hours. I really appreciated his responsiveness and flexibility, realizing that I would be in great hands moving forward. When I stepped into Dr. Tae’s office for the first time, I described my situation but more importantly, I described my goal for treatment. In three months, I was slated to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, but how could I possibly accomplish this feat if I struggled to simply walk down the stairs? From that point on, Dr. Tae did everything to ensure that I would not only complete the hike, but that I would thrive on the hike – without giving my knee a second thought. 

Dr. Tae diagnosed my knee pain as a manifestation of something bigger occurring in my hip region and we swiftly got to work. Through a series of stretches (edited overtime to account for different muscles), cupping, and dry-needling, I began to feel like the athlete I once was! The intelligence and expertise that Dr. Tae brought to the table was truly remarkable, as he clearly held a deep understanding of the human body. I believe that Dr. Tae went beyond the textbook methods of recovery, tailoring a personalized recovery plan that addressed my specific needs and challenges. His ability to explain complex muscle concepts in an accessible manner not only educated me about my own condition, but also empowered me to take an active role in my own healing. Furthermore, Dr. Tae fostered a sense of camaraderie and trust that made every session both productive and enjoyable. His ability to listen attentively, provide encouragement, and adapt the treatment plan based on my feedback ensured that I felt supported every step of the way. 

Thanks to Dr. Tae, I am now able to engage in activities I once feared were out of reach. I am proud to say that I summitted Mount Kilimanjaro without any knee pain and have returned to my usual running regimen – while continuing to use the very same stretches and exercises that Dr. Tae provided me with three months prior. In a world where exceptional healthcare professionals can be difficult to find, I consider myself very fortunate to have been under the care of Dr. Tae.