Dr. Joel Kim is the owner and creator of Total Potential: Integrative & Holistic Physical Therapy, which offers Expert Manual Physical Therapy in San Marino, CA.
He completed his undergraduate degree in sociology and history from the University of California Irvine. While completing his 14-year military service, he attended Western University of Health Sciences, College of Allied Health, obtaining his doctorate in physical therapy (DPT). He had always valued skill and excellence. He further committed 12 months to reading research to gain better knowledge and understanding of the diagnosis and prognosis of musculoskeletal conditions while regularly seeing patients. This was when he discovered the Institute of Physical Art (IPA) and Functional Manual Therapy® (FMT).
Functional Manual Therapy® (FMT) fit his learning style. It further developed his physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis skills, using his ears, eyes, and hands to put the pieces together without relying on expensive diagnostic equipment. While increasing his skill level, he also grew increasingly dissatisfied with the standard of care, realizing that his patients could reach goals more efficiently.
With the encouragement of his physical therapy mentor, Gregg Johnson, he was challenged to develop the use of his intuition and to treat the dura. So he serendipitously discovered the Upledger Institute. And as an act of hope and faith, he dove into the material, enjoying the work and the lives changed. And then, like most CFMTrs, they studied deeply into the material of the Barral Institute. Dr. Joel wanted to satisfy his curiosity of why and how to make progress stick and be longer lasting.
Dr. Joel continues his training to improve his practice by attending many specialty seminars and training sessions throughout the year. When not running his own private practice, he enjoys being an active member in the life of his wife and 2 boys, traveling, and competing in endurance sports.
