“At Arancia Physical Therapy, our hearts lead the way. We combine our expertise with deep passion for our work, creating a foundation of genuine healing and personalized, compassionate care—because every patient deserves to feel supported on their journey to wellness.”

OWNER & FOUNDER OF ARANCIA

Dr. Jessica Papa is an Expert Physical Therapist, Educator, Bestselling Author, and Founder of Arancia Physical Therapy.  She is known as a leading spine and  Postpartum Women’s Health Specialist in Rhode Island. 

In 2008, Dr. Jessica Papa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rhode Island College. Since childhood, she has been driven by compassion and a desire to help others. She wasn’t sure how or where she would focus her studies, but when she discovered the field of Physical Therapy, her vision became clear.

Dr. Jessica worked in a PT clinic as an aide and exercise specialist, encouraging her to pursue a degree in physical therapy. Her primary focus was obtaining a Doctoral degree in physical therapy to help rehabilitate others and give back to the community she grew up in.

Dr. Jessica’s psychology degree has complemented her physical therapy career, as she can see beyond a patient’s injury and understand key aspects of mind and body wellness. Experience has taught her that discipline and determination instill leadership skills. Her values are deeply rooted in honesty and ethical integrity.

Since receiving her Doctoral degree at The Franklin Pierce University, Dr. Jessica has gained a well-rounded approach through practicing in various physical therapy settings, including Outpatient Orthopedics, Acute Care Hospitals, and Skilled Nursing Facilities.

A personal experience also shaped Dr. Jess’s career path. Her grandmother and best friend—her biggest cheerleader—fell and needed physical therapy. Later, she was placed in a nursing home, where she became dependent on others to use the restroom, often experiencing bladder accidents and dealing with significant pain. This situation deeply frustrated Dr. Jess and fueled her passion to specialize in chronic pain and pelvic health, wanting to help others regain control, age gracefully, and maintain their dignity while improving their quality of life.

Jessica Papa, known to her patients as Dr. Jess, feels incredibly blessed to share her experiences, expertise, and unique approach with patients around the world as she strives to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from chronic pain or pelvic health challenges.

In the months and years leading up to the opening of Arancia Physical Therapy, Dr. Jess's career took a dramatic turn when frustration with the traditional methods of therapy she had been practicing led to the discovery of the work of John F. Barnes, the developer of the Myofascial Release approach. This was a turning point and a career-altering experience for Dr. Jess.

It is the adoption of this unique approach to the management of pain that changed her entire way of thinking and practicing. Patients come to Arancia Physical Therapy from all walks of life with conditions that range from Neck pain to Tailbone, Sacroiliac and Low Back Pain to Pelvic Floor Pain and Dysfunction. Urinary Incontinence. Prostate Health. Mastectomy Pain. Infertility problems. Adhesions from Abdominal Surgery.  

Conquering mystery pain is her personal mission — becoming the title of a book she has written on this timely and often urgent topic. There is little about chronic pain that Dr. Jess is unprepared to mitigate through her holistic approach. What sets Dr. Jess apart from her peers is this whole-body approach that provides lasting results. It is always her mission to tackle the root cause of any pain source and ultimately teach patients as much as possible about their bodies so they feel empowered and confident to self-treat on a daily basis.

Helping patients achieve pain relief is easy, the real challenge is making it last — and this is when Dr. Jess's ongoing coaching becomes so important.

-Expert Level John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Practitioner

-Women’s Health Certified —John F. Barnes MFR Approach

-Herman and Wallace Institute

-Institute for Birth Healing Advanced Training

-Certified Selective Functional Movement Assessment Specialist

-MFR Instructor/Continued Education in MFR

-Integrative Dry Needling Certified

Doctor of Physical Therapy, Frankin Pierce University