North Platte Physical Therapy - Casper (West)

 
 

The Casper West clinic has been serving the needs of the surrounding community since 2010.  This clinic along with our Casper East clinic continually strives to exceed the expectations of our patients.  Our clinics are patient-focused and allow our patients to collaborate with their therapist on the optimal care for each individual.  We provide this peak level of care in an energetic and enjoyable atmosphere.

We are dedicated to providing the best orthopedic care to central Wyoming. Our staff specializes in spine and extremities. We use multiple manual therapy and exercise treatment philosophies and techniques for treating back, muscle, joint, nerve and tendon disorders. North Platte Physical Therapy provides comprehensive physical and occupational therapy services to our orthopedic, pediatric, and geriatric patients. We have an excellent functional balance re-training program and fall prevention program. We also work with athletes and sports medicine patients.

Location Details

307-234-9067  Send Email
Address: 3831 Denis Drive #200, Casper, WY 82604
Hours: Mon - Fri 8AM - 5PM
Fax: 307-234-9074

Interested in scheduling at our East location? View Casper East Details

Meet the Staff

Matt Woodbury, DPT, OCS, SFMA

Clinic Supervisor

I have both a professional and personal passion for health. I will never stop learning about the complexities of the human body and the optimal ways to promote its function.  I want to remain active, enjoy life to the fullest, and help others also attain and maintain this freedom.

Education:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Mary
  • Bachelor of Science in Human Performance and Fitness, North Dakota State University

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
  • Certified Graston Technique Clinician
  • Worksaver Certified Tester
  • Certified Cupping Therapist
  • Vestibular Certification
  • Certification in Applied Functional Science, Gray Institute
  • Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
  • IAOM Elbow Course
  • Diagnosis and Management of the Elbow
  • LSVT

Continuing Education Training:

  • Kinesio Taping KT1 & KT2
  • Dry Needling
  • Muscle Energy Technique
  • Running Mechanics and Injury
  • Sole Supports Orthotic Casting
  • Various Other Orthopedic Courses

Professional Society Memberships:

  • American Physical Therapy Association - Orthopedics and Sports

Hometown: West Fargo, North Dakota

Hobbies: Running, cycling, hanging out with family, listening to music, and watching movies

 
James Watson, DPT

As a Physical Therapist, I live for that moment when people’s eyes light up with hope because they can do what they couldn’t before. I love learning everyone’s unique story and helping them overcome their barriers in life. I am enjoying getting to better know the good people of Casper every day.

Education:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Touro University Nevada
  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Utah Valley University

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • LSVT BIG
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Certificate (PESI)

Continuing Education:

  • Management of Lower Quadrant Pathology Course 1 (Folsom) 
  • Management of Lower Quadrant Pathology Course 2 (Folsom) 
  • Institute for Brain Potential Protecting Short Term Memory  

Hometown: Layton, Utah

Hobbies: Running, baking, woodworking, hiking and entertaining my daughters.

 
Jessica Engelhardt, PTA

Like many in my field, I first became interested in Physical Therapy after a sports-related injury in high school made me a patient myself. After earning my bachelor's degree, I moved on to a Physical Therapist Assistant program. I believe that Physical Therapy can truly change an individual's life for the better. I enjoy being around people every day and getting to know them. I am compassionate and want to help others achieve their goals. I grew up in Indiana and lived in Colorado for three years before moving to Casper. I am very excited to explore this new area and discover what the community has to offer!

Education:

  • Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, Laramie County Community College 
  • Bachelor of Science in Movement and Sport Sciences, Purdue University

Certifications:

  • IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
  • American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR and AED)
  • LSVT

Hometown:

  • Arcadia, Indiana

Hobbies:

  • Hiking, skiing, volleyball, and hanging out with friends and family watching movies

Tara Stadjuhar, PTA

My journey into Physical Therapy came from a love of sports and a fascination for how the body moves, functions, and heals. Being passionate about health and wellness, I am dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to optimal well-being. Witnessing the transformative impact of physical therapy firsthand is what fuels my love for this profession. I find immense joy in helping patients regain mobility, return to their favorite activities, and achieve their wellness goals.

Education:

  • Associates in Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, Western Technical College, El Paso, TX
  • Bachelors of Community Health, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • LSVT BIG
  • Blood flow restriction training
  • American Heart Association Basic life support (CPR and AED)
  • Site coordinator of Clinical education (SCCE)

Continuing Education:

  • Kinesio tape
  • Strain counter strain

Professional Society Memberships:

  • APTA of Wyoming and New Mexico

Hometown: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Hobbies: Skiing, fly fishing, camping, woodworking, DIY projects, spending time with my family, hiking with my dogs.

 

Services Offered

Latest News & Info

Your guide to your first physical therapy appointment

May 19, 2020

Your guide to your first physical therapy appointment
Your first physical therapy appointment is quickly approaching - and you may be wondering...what does this mean? What should you bring? Who will you see. What paperwork will be involved? If you have never been to our offices or to any physical therapy, you might be curious about what to expect. Here at North Platte Physical Therapy, we want all your experiences at our clinics to be easy, straight-forward, and comfortable. 
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For your appointment, wear comfortable clothing that will allow the physical therapist access to the body part for which you are being seen. We suggest that you arrive 10 – 15 minutes before the start of your first scheduled appointment to complete the registration process. When you arrive, we will take your filled-out paperwork, any diagnostic reports, and get a copy of your insurance card and driver’s license. After that, the first part of your initial evaluation involves an interview, where you will meet with your therapist to discuss your medical history, the story of what brings you into therapy.

Be prepared to answer questions such as:
  • What types of symptoms are you experiencing?
  • How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
  • What aggravates and eases these symptoms?
  • How did it start?
After your interview and evaluation, we will explain our assessment of your condition and your individual plan of care. After that, we will begin your treatment. And since you will only spend two to three hours a week receiving treatment with us, follow-through with your home exercise program will help you attain your goals much faster. After your appointment, please remember to check in with our receptionists on your way out. They will coordinate your follow-up treatments.

Thank you for choosing North Platte Physical Therapy. We suggest you browse through our common physical rehabilitation questions page, and check out our locations page for directions to the facility that is most convenient for you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
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Ways to increase success with Physical Therapy

May 14, 2020

Ways to increase success with Physical Therapy
Unfortunately millions live everyday with chronic pain. Chances are your work with a physical therapist is reducing its effects but there may be certain things that you are doing that may actually be enhancing your pain. By avoiding these things you may be able to augment the effects of your therapy and lessening the effects of your chronic pain. As with anything, check with your doctor or physical therapist before making any dietary changes but making small changes in concert with the work of your Wyoming physical therapist may speed your journey to a pain free life.

How Physical Therapy Helps
The general goal of physical therapy is to target muscle areas where pain exists. When muscles are stronger they do a better job of supporting joints and improving mobility. Using resistance bands, weights, and low impact aerobic exercises will target weak areas and increase flexibility while lessening pain.

What to Avoid
Certain things can increase the pain itself or the effect of pain on your body and mind. Smoking is all around bad for you and it is known to increase chronic pain. When people are in pain, it causes stress and anxiety for which they sometimes turn to cigarettes as a coping mechanism. This only makes the problem worse, especially for those with back injuries as smoking contributes to spinal disc deterioration as well as osteoporosis. Tobacco use also makes users feel pain more acutely and increases sensations of discomfort. 

Stress can also enhance the body’s pain response as well as disrupting other systems such as sleep and cognitive functioning. Both of these are imperative to your healing process. Find productive ways to manage stress. Take up meditation or other mindful practices. Join a support group for others with chronic pain. Talking to someone who really understands what you are going through can be very helpful. If there’s a new hobby or skill you’ve been wanting to learn, now is the time. Finding a way to distract yourself is the best cure for pain as well as stress reduction.

Healthy Habits to Incorporate
The exercise that you do with your physical therapist is target specific and no doubt helping you with pain management. Speak to your therapist about other exercises that might be beneficial for you to do on your own that won’t risk re-injury or cause setbacks. Exercise naturally releases endorphins improving your mood overall while also blocking pain signals. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces joint stress aiding in flexibility and pain management.

Eating a healthy diet has a great many benefits and may also assist you in pain elimination. Foods that help with inflammation can be especially beneficial. Grill up some fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines, or mackerel. The Omega-3 that they contain acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. Green leafy vegetables boost antioxidants to speed healing and reduce inflammation as well. Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are a great source of ellagic acid which decreases inflammation and illuminates joint pain.

You will reap the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle long after your physical therapy has been completed. If you have questions about physical therapy as a treatment for chronic pain contact North Platte Physical Therapy Today!
 
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How to prevent injuries while landscaping for summer

May 6, 2020

How to prevent injuries while landscaping for summer
While you are spending more and more time at home, you might have started to tackle some home improvement projects, including landscaping. In fact, there has never been a better time to start on your landscaping projects - including gardening! Many people turn to gardening to make their backyard a little more beautiful, while others enjoy it because of its proven ability to reduce stress and improve focus. But, gardening can also lead to a lot of aches and pains if you’re not careful about your posture and positioning. According to a physical therapist in Casper WY, you can avoid gardening pain by following these tips:

Stretching
Even though gardening is not a strenuous exercise, it does involve putting your body in uncomfortable positions, so it’s recommended that you stretch before and after the activity. Do gentle backbends and leg stretches to loosen the muscles in your lower body and prepare yourself for gardening.

Movement
Be mindful of how long you stay in one position so your body doesn’t begin to cramp or get sore. Set a timer on your phone or make it a point to adjust your position after every 10-15 minutes. Even if it’s a slight adjustment, it will help you prevent muscle stiffness, which will lead to aches and pains long after you have finished gardening.

Use Tools
Don’t try to carry heavy tools or bags of soil or mulch on your own—instead, use a wheelbarrow. But, you must operate the wheelbarrow properly in order to avoid aches and pains. Always keep your back straight when pushing a wheelbarrow, and if you have to strain to get the wheelbarrow to move, it’s too heavy for you. Take something out and try it again instead of putting yourself at risk of an injury.

Another easy tool to purchase? A gardening pad! Kneeling in the dirt can cause a great deal of discomfort. To avoid feeling this pain days later, buy a pair of knee pads designed for people who garden. This will put a cushion between your knees and the dirt, so you can sit comfortably and enjoy gardening.

At North Platte Physical Therapy, we’re dedicated to helping clients prevent injuries and live a pain-free life. But if you do injure yourself, contact North Platte Physical Therapy to learn more about how we can help you recover. Our staff is praised throughout the Wyoming and Nebraska areas for our commitment to our clients. We can fulfill comprehensive physical therapy services, and would be happy to customize a treatment plan for your personal needs
 
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