From broken neck to career as physical therapist

MILL CREEK — A former Ritzville man who broke his neck as a teenager here went on to become a physical therapist and opened his own clinic earlier this year.

Jim Shepherd, a 1998 graduate of Ritzville High School, was just 15 years old when he fractured his neck in a car accident that left him hospitalized in Spokane. Shepherd said the close-call left him wondering about his purpose in life. During the months of rehabilitation, Shepherd said he was impressed by his physical therapist at East Adams Rural Hospital, who really seemed to enjoy his work. Additional physical therapy after pulling his hamstring on the high school track team further cemented the impression.

Shepherd earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Eastern Washington University in 2002. Three years later, he was among the first class to graduate from Eastern Washington University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

It was really cool, because I honestly feel like the career chose me. I didn’t choose it,” Shepherd said. “And I just love it. I feel I am so blessed because I really love what I do. I love being able to help people.”

Shepherd said he realized that sounded cliché, but being able to actually do it was really gratifying.

“You have someone come in, and they can hardly move, and you do something for them and it gives them their freedom back — they can walk again, they don’t wake up in pain. It’s really gratifying. You wake up and you’re like, ‘Wow, my days have purpose,’” Shepherd said. “I feel so blessed for that. I don’t think I would change this career for anything. It’s so great.”

Shepherd said after trying to open his own business for the past two or three years, he and fellow Doctor of Physical Therapy Mike Baginski opened their clinic, Conflux Physical Therapy and Functional Fitness, in January. The business, located in Mill Creek, is both a physical therapy clinic and fitness center in the same space.

“It’s a new hybrid practice. It’s not just rehab, it’s life-long fitness,” Shepherd said. “Once somebody is injured, they come in and see us, we get them rehabilitated, and then if they want to, they continue on as a member of the gym. Not under formal therapy, but as a gym member — just coming in and working out.”

Shepherd said COVID-19 put a bit of a damper on the business.

“We just started, two months prior to all the shut-downs,” Shepherd said. “It’s been a bit of a challenge, but we’re still doing okay.”