Treatment Options

• Specifically designed exercise programs, including tailored home exercise programs, developed through a comprehensive evaluation and ongoing reassessment by the therapists
• Functional progression to allow return to sports and other high level activities, including plyometric progression, Y-balance, FMS
• Neuromuscular re-education

• Certified manual therapists trained in a wide range of skilled, hands-on techniques, including joint mobilization and manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, muscle energy techniques, mulligan techniques, and manual traction
• Astym certified therapists

Astym treatment is a physical therapy treatment that regenerates healthy soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.) and eliminates or reduces unwanted scar tissue that may be causing pain or movement restrictions. Astym treatment is highly effective for restoring movement and reducing pain from soft tissue injury/dysfunction, and Astym even works when other approaches routinely fail. One of the main reasons for this is that Astym was designed to target the underlying cause of many soft tissue problems, rather than just trying to relieve symptoms. Here are some of the diagnoses where patients have demonstrated excellent clinical results when treated with Astym:

• Lateral epicondylosis, chronic lateral epicondylitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis
• Wrist sprain
• Plantar fasciopathy/heel pain/chronic plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinosis and chronic Achilles tendinitis
• Shin splints
• Patellar tendinosis, chronic patellar tendinitis/tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
• IT band syndrome
• Chronic hamstring strain
• Joint contractures
• Overuse injuries
• Pain or loss of motion and function following surgery, trauma, or overuse injury

• Certified MDT clinicians who continue to maintain certification level with the McKenzie Institute
• The McKenzie Method of MDT (mechanical diagnosis and therapy) is a reliable assessment process intended for all musculoskeletal problems, including pain in the back, neck and extremities (i.e., shoulder, knee, ankle etc.), as well as issues associated with sciatica, sacroiliac joint pain, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, muscle spasms, and intermittent numbness in hands or feet.
• The MDT system is designed to identify the mechanical problem that may be causing pain or loss of function. Once the problem has been appropriately classified, we then develop a plan to restore normal joint and soft tissue mechanics using self-generated movements (exercise), and in some instances manual therapy techniques, that are very specific and progress in a well-researched and systematic manner.
• Patient education is critical, as understanding the problem allows for proper and effective self-treatment.

Dry needling, also known as functional dry needling or trigger point dry needling, uses a thin, solid filament needle to treat muscle discomfort. It is referred to as “dry” needling because there is no medication used or injected during the procedure. Trigger points are “knots” in muscles which occur from injury or overuse and can cause tightness and discomfort in muscles. Trigger points can refer pain to other parts of the body when pressure is applied to them. This is also known as referred pain.

While dry needling utilizes similar tools as acupuncture (acupuncture needles), it is not the same as acupuncture treatment. Dry needling is guided by Western medicine training involving evaluation of pain patterns, functional movement, and anatomic structures. Acupuncture is guided by traditional Chinese medicine and includes inserting needles into meridians to re-balance your body’s chi or electromagnetic field.

Dry needling helps assist the injured muscle in relaxation, increasing blood flow, decreasing discomfort, and improving range of motion.

Dry needling is almost always used as an adjunctive treatment modality to aid in a comprehensive rehabilitation and treatment program.

Your treating provider will perform a full history and physical examination to determine whether you would be a good candidate for dry needling. Dry needling cannot be performed if there is evidence of infection, lymphedema, or in the presence of open wounds. Patients with diabetes, vascular disease, taking prescribed blood thinners, or who are pregnant should discuss this with the treating provider prior to performing dry needling to ensure this is the right treatment for their condition.

• Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to decrease dizziness, improve balance function, and increase general activity levels, using an exercise-based treatment program guided by a PT who is a certified Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist.
• Evaluation and treatment includes discussion of specific symptoms, complaints, and limitations, Canalith repositioning maneuvers (such as the Epley maneuver), neurological and musculoskeletal exam, oculomotor examination, positional testing, balance assessment
• Specialized equipment used during examination includes: Synapsis Infrared Wireless Camera and the Biodex Balance System.

• Rehab intervention and performance-enhancing tool
• Increased motor unit recruitment for strength training—a greater training effect is achieved with less load/stress to the body
• Additional physiologic benefits: hormones involved in body repair processes are released, including human growth hormone (HGH), vascular endothelial growth factor (promotes growth of new blood vessels), and Nitric oxide synthases

Aquatic physical therapy is a 1 on 1 treatment approach in a warm water pool that utilizes the unique properties of water, such as buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and hydrodynamic properties, such as flow, inertia, drag, and viscosity, to provide a wide range of physiologic benefits for the patient.  The benefits include reducing pain, improving functional mobility and strength, decreasing swelling, improving cardiovascular endurance, and allowing for greater ease of movement to provide an alternative form of exercise to traditional land-based exercise programs.  Aquatic therapy is appropriate for a wide variety of diagnoses including chronic pain, arthritis, tendinitis, low back pain, radiculopathy, stenosis, sciatica, general weakness, and balance difficulties.

The Kinesio taping method is a therapeutic taping technique used to re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce pain and inflammation, prevent injury and promote good circulation and healing, and assist in returning the body to homeostasis.

LSVT BIG is a therapy program designed for patients with Parkinson disease.  As a participant in the program, you will work one-on-one with a LSVT BIG certified therapist for one-hour sessions, four days a week for four weeks.  The LSVT BIG program is focused on large amplitude or "BIG" movements to help improve your walking, balance, and other activities of daily living.  We can build an exercise program unique to your needs or goals so you can improve your confidence, independence, and quality of life.

The LSVT BIG for LIFE program is offered to those individuals who have completed the LSVT BIG protocol in physical therapy. We offer this additional exercise and fitness class 2 times a month, on the first and third Thursday, from 12-1 pm. There is a $10 per class fee associated with this class. The purpose of the class is to allow patients to continue with the exercises and movements that are done in the BIG program in a group setting with other similar participants.

Pediatric physical therapy is designed to improve the lives and daily function of children who suffer from a wide range of injuries or congenital conditions. A pediatric physical therapist works with the child, along with family/caregivers, to reach their maximum potential to function independently, promoting active participation at home, in school, and in the community. Play is incorporated into functional activities to make physical therapy enjoyable for the child. Our pediatric PTs work with patients ranging in age from birth to 18 years of age.

What is the role of a pediatric PT? 
The role of the pediatric physical therapist is to evaluate and provide treatment for motor skill delays by developing the strength and range of motion that children need to move through their environment easily and effectively. In addition, we may also assess posture, flexibility, gait, balance, and coordination. We can also assess motor development using standardized testing for age equivalents. The long-term goal of pediatric physical therapy is for the child to be able to participate in quality age-appropriate gross motor skills.

• Development of an individualized program of pre-prosthetic exercises to help maintain range of motion and improve muscle strength in both the post-operative and intact limbs.  This will include abdominal and back exercises to improve trunk control and reduce back pain. Pre-prosthetic limb exercises can help prevent the occurrence of prosthetic gait deviations.
• Coordination with the prosthetist to ensure proper post-operative limb care in preparation for a prosthesis, as well as fitting and adjustment of the prosthesis.
• Gait analysis and gait training under direct therapist supervision, in conjunction with the prosthetist so that adjustments can be made.
• Neuromuscular re-education and progression of home exercise program to return patient to independent functional mobility.

Patient education may be the most important aspect of what we do with patients.  We believe it is crucially important for patients to understand the nature of their problem that they are seeking care for, and empower them to take the right actions to get better.  This includes home exercise programs, self-care techniques and counselling, education in posture, body-mechanics and ergonomics, as well as discussion of “do’s and don’ts.”  We strive to communicate effectively with our patients so that they get all their questions answered.

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is a treatment for patients with Lymphedema and other edema related diagnoses that aims to reduce swelling, increase mobility, and promote self-management of symptoms to optimize overall health outcomes. CDT consists of two phases. The first phase aims to reduce lymph and symptoms associated with your diagnosis and the second phase aims to maintain and optimize achievements from phase one for long-term independent management of your diagnosis. CDT includes a variety of techniques such as Manual Lymphatic Drainage, compression, home exercise program, and self-care education. Our Certified Lymphedema Therapist will meet with you to evaluate and assess your needs and goals to develop an individualized therapy treatment plan.