Monument Physical Therapy - Gering

 
 

Monument Physical Therapy is a therapist-owned practice specializing in delivering individualized care for patients of all ages.  We have been serving the Scottsbluff/Gering valley since November of 2009.  We are excited to offer rehabilitation services including orthopedics, post-operative care, stroke rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, women's health, pediatrics, work hardening, functional capacity evaluations, and aquatics.  

We provide treatments such as biofeedback, dry needling, Graston technique, cupping therapy, blood flow restriction, and kinesio taping to offer our patients the latest and most advanced procedures in manual therapy available for faster and better results.  Monument Physical Therapy's staff provides treatment for athletes before and after games to keep them at the top of their game. 

Our goal is to provide the most complete care for each individual patient.  To learn more call or stop by and see how we can serve you.

Location Details

308-633-5361  Send Email Submit Paperwork
Address: 3315 10th Street, Gering, NE 69341
Hours: Mon - Thurs: 7AM - 6PM, Fri: 7AM - 5PM
Fax: 308-633-5365

Meet the Staff

Meghan Roper, PT, DPT, OCS, SFMA

Clinic Supervisor

Therapy is not one size fits all.  In the past five years, I have come to appreciate my patients for their unique differences.  I am passionate about providing individualized care that gets to the root of the problem and treat treating my patients as a whole.  I am passionate about orthopedic, neurological, and pelvic health conditions, and I am motivated by my patients' results.

Education:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Professional Society Memberships:

  • Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
  • American Physical Therapy Association

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
  • Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
  • Orthopedic Certified Specialist
  • A Systematic Approach to Examination, Diagnosis, and Manual Therapy of the Wrist Part 1
  • Practical Blood Flow Restriction
  • CarFit Technician
  • Level I Intramuscular Therapy (Dry Needling)
  • SFMA Level 1 - Selective Functional Movement Assessment
  • Level 1 Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
  • Fundamentals of Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Therapy
  • ErgoScience FCE Trained
  • Pelvic Floor Level 2A: Colorectal Conditions, Pudendal Nerve Dysfunction, Male Pelvic Floor
  • Pelvic Floor Level 2B: Urogynecologic Exam & Treatment
  • Vestibular Certification
  • Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
  • IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

Family: Husband: Cody, Stepson: Mason, Son: Noah

Hobbies: Hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, and camping

Josh Hill, PTA, SFMA

While in high school I injured my shoulder playing football and required physical therapy.  This was followed by multiple track injuries that also required PT treatments.  I began my studies in college focusing on Exercise Science.  During that time, I worked as a physical therapy technician in an outpatient physical therapy clinic and realized that my passion was in rehabilitation.  That was when I began pursuing my career in Physical Therapy Assistance. 

Education:

  • Associate of Science in Physical Therapy Assistance, Clarkson College

Professional Society Memberships:

  • Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
  • American Physical Therapy Association

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
  • Blood Restriction
  • A Systematic Approach to Examination, Diagnosis, and Manual Therapy of the Wrist Part 1
  • Practical Blood Flow Restriction
  • Nebraska Coaching Certification 2010
  • Sportsmetrics Certification 2010
  • Niel-Asher trained for Treatment of Frozen Shoulder 2010
  • CarFit Technician
  • SFMA Level 1 - Selective Functional Movement Assessment
  • Certified Cupping Therapist

Hometown: Grand Island, Nebraska

Family: Wife: Sundee, Children: Cora, Tea , Easton

Hobbies: Being outdoors with family, swimming, biking, playing in the snow

 
Toni Rice, PTA, SFMA

Throughout high school and college, I was very active in competitive running.  I ended up becoming a patient at one point in my running career and after seeing how much physical therapy helped, I realized at that moment that I wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy and help people of all ages recover from injuries as well.   I couldn't be happier with my choice. Every day I learn something new from my patients and find pure joy in helping them achieve something that is important to them.  In the end, I have gained some of the greatest friendships.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Concordia University
  • Associate of Science in Physical Therapy Assistance, Clarkson College

Professional Society Memberships:

  • Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
  • American Physical Therapy Association

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
  • IAOM - Clinical Examination and Manual Therapy of the Acute Lumbar Spine and SI Joint
  • Therapeutic Neuroscience Education
  • SFMA Level 1 - Selective Functional Movement Assessment
  • Certified Cupping Therapist
  •  IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
  • Athletes & Pelvic Rehabilitation
  • Functional Strengthening in Children
  • Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing impairments
  • The Power of Play: Effective Play-based Therapy and Early Intervention

Hometown: Bayard, Nebraska

Family: Husband: Nate, Sons: Luke and Blake

Hobbies: Spending time with family and puppy Oakley, being at the lake in the summer, running for fun, and being outdoors.

 

Services Offered

Latest News & Info

Staying healthy during the summer - from your Wyoming physical therapist

June 12, 2019

Staying healthy during the summer - from your Wyoming physical therapist
The summer months are here to stay, and as you spend more time outside you might be more likely to sustain injuries. Injuries can come in a number of forms and can often sneak up on you. You might be enjoying a hike with friends or family and start to feel a soreness in your ankle - or maybe you are enjoying a family cookout and take a misstep when taking food outside. No matter what happens or when, there are some ways you can avoid injury - take it from your Wyoming physical therapist.

Warming up 
If you plan on having a physically active day, it’s important to spend time warming up. This can include a light walk and stretch before you even leave your home. While warming up for a kayaking trip, hiking trip, or even a run outside a light walk or stretch can do wonders for your health and preventing injury. 

Pace yourself
It can be easy to get ahead of yourself when it comes to enjoying the summer weather. It might be tempting to do the 7-mile stretch versus the 5-mile on your first kayaking trip of the summer. Just remember, that although this might be fun, it isn’t always worth it and you can get seriously injured by over-exerting yourself. Remember to take things easy as your start a new exercise routine.

Pacing yourself applies to more than just physical activity. If you are working in the yard, around the house, or cleaning out a garage make sure you take extra care. It can be tempting to take more bags of mulch at once to avoid multiple trips, but this can actually lead to injury. Keep an eye on the way your body feels while performing household chores and maintenance.

Take care of yourself
While you should be doing this year-around, it’s extra important to take care of your body during the summer months. Heat can cause dehydration, and lack of proper nutrition can only accelerate these issues and cause more problems. Be sure to fuel your body properly, and carefully, during the summer. It’s going to be more important to consume more water as well if you notice that you are more tired than usual. 

Taking care of yourself includes warming up, as previously discussed, but also cooling down after physical activity and giving your body plenty of rest time. Rest time is essential in maintaining a healthy body, but also helping to reach your personal fitness goals.

If you begin to notice that you might have sustained an injury, or you aren’t feeling at your best, be sure to contact your Wyoming physical therapist for assistance. At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs when it comes to managing and healing back pain. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services for post-cast recovery. Contact us today for more information.
 
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Four ways to speed up recovery after Wyoming back surgery

May 29, 2019

Four ways to speed up recovery after Wyoming back surgery
You are about to undergo, or are currently recovering, from back surgery and you may be wondering if there are ways to speed up your recovery time. The good news is there are a few things you can do to speed up recovery, and get back on your feet! We’ve provided you with four ways to speed up your recovery, but want to remind you that before changing or adding to your recovery regime, consult your Wyoming physical therapist. Everyone has a different recovery time and process, so what works for one might not work for all. 

Get Healthy
You might be considered healthy already (in which case stay healthy), but if you could do better this is a great time to really focus on your health. Fueling your body with the right foods will not only have you feeling better, but will help your body begin to recover quickly. If you haven’t already, talk with your physical therapist about starting a light exercise routine to aid in the recovery process. With back injuries and recovery you will need to be cautious, but light exercise can help decrease any pain you might be experiencing and get you on the road to recovery.

Kick the Bad Habits
Have any bad habits lurking in your closet? Now is a great time to work on kicking your bad habits, such as smoking cigarettes. We know we don’t have to tell you about all of the negative outcomes that cigarettes can cause, but by not smoking you can speed up your recovery time as well. 

Your Day to Day
When operating day to day, be sure to follow the basic mobility requirements and regulations set out by your physical therapist. They have set these guidelines for a reason, and any deviation could slow your recovery time. By following them to a “t” you are more likely to recover quickly and safely. In addition, be sure to have someone in your home who can assist you with movements, household chores, and basic things such as eating, drinking, and even bathing. An available and attentive caregiver will be your key to a safe and speedy recovery. Be sure to take care when bathing, you don’t 
want to overstrain your body or cause damage to your incision. Often times your doctor might recommend avoiding washing the area under running water for the first two weeks - in which case have some assist you in using a damp washcloth. 

Stay Vigilant 
While following your doctor’s recommendations for care and maintenance, be sure to stay aware of how your body is feeling and how your wound is healing. Check the incision daily to ensure there is no infection, and that there is no inflammation or redness. This can be indicative of a deeper problem that might cause you to see your doctor.

At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs and ensure a safe recovery after a back surgery. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services for post-cast recovery. Contact us today for more information.

 
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Seven tips to making the most of your Wyoming physical therapy treatment

April 24, 2019

Seven tips to making the most of your Wyoming physical therapy treatment
When you are ready to pursue your Wyoming physical therapy options, it’s important to get the most out of your physical therapy treatment. Afterall, you are using physical therapy to get better and to heal your body. These are our seven tips to making the most out of your physical therapy experience, and ensure that you will keep getting better. 

1. Ask Questions
Your physical therapist is here to assist you. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask them - they are here to help. The best physical therapists will be ready and open to answer whatever questions you might have and reassure you of any fears that you might be experiencing. 

2. Communicate
This goes hand in hand with asking questions, but make sure you are communicating with your physical therapist often and openly. If you are feeling any type of new pain, or feel that you might have re-injured yourself talk to your physical therapist immediately. 

3. Complete All Exercises 
Your physical therapist has assigned you particular exercises for a reason. Make sure you complete all exercises as ordered during your appointment but also at home. Your physical therapist might have assigned you additional exercises for home, and if they did there is a reason for that. 

4. Stay in Contact with Your Physician 
As you complete your physical therapy, keep in contact with your primary care physician. It’s important to keep your medical records up to date but also ensure that your doctor knows how you are managing and handling your pain. 

5. Stay Patient
Physical therapy isn’t a quick fix - it’s going to take time for the physical therapy to truly work and heal your body. By staying patient and focused on all of your exercises you will get better, it’ll just take some time. Don’t give up.

6. Set Goals
Your physical therapist might have set goals for you, but it’s important to create your own goals as well. Your goals are going to be a great motivator in sticking to your routine, your schedule, and ultimately getting better. When setting goals keep them realistic, achievable, and something that will help you keep moving forward. 

7. Don’t Skip Appointments
This might seem like an obvious one, but don’t ever skip your appointments. Appointments are key to getting better and sticking on a strict schedule will help you to continue to improve. If you are feeling pain, don’t skip your appointment just communicate with your physical therapist. They can help you identify why you are experiencing pain, and adjust your workout as needed. 

Are you tired of dealing with chronic pain? Or are you ready to improve your current situation? Contact us today to let us know what’s bothering you. Our team of professionals will implement a safe, effective, and reasonably-priced treatment plan that will have you living better, whether that means sleeping more soundly or getting through your work day without pain. Patients across Wyoming and Western Nebraska have relied on North Platte Physical Therapy for their pain prevention and physical recovery needs for years.
 
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Using physical therapy as treatment for pain

April 17, 2019

Using physical therapy as treatment for pain
Long-term pain, also known as chronic pain, can be treated through the use of physical therapy - in fact, physical therapy might be your best option at treating this type of pain. Most of the time you will need a recommendation from a doctor to see a physical therapist, but it can definitely be worth asking your doctor for one. We’ve put together our top reasons as to why you should consider investing in physical therapy treatment for your chronic pain. 

How does physical therapy treat pain?
Pain doesn’t always originate from where you think it does, and that’s why physical therapists are going to treat the source of the pain. Participating in physical therapy will help with joint and soft tissue mobilization and provide treatments that help to relieve pain, restore muscle, and get your body back on track to feeling better.

Physical therapists are experts in treating the body - not only can they help you identify the pain but they can help you treat it through a series of exercises. These exercises might include low-impact aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, or stationary bike exercises. 

Physical therapy might also treat pain through the use of stretching, or body-weight strengthening exercises. The point of physical therapy is to treat your pain through the use of exercises and to get your body moving. In many cases your physical therapists will also prescribe exercises to complete at home - be sure to do these as prescribed to assist with pain.

What should I expect? 
Before your appointment check with your physical therapist to see if there is anything special or out of the ordinary you should be prepared for and check with your insurance company to see how much is or isn’t paid for. Be ready to discuss when your pain started, how it has intensified, if it has spread, and what mobility issues you might be having. You will most likely be moving around a lot in your first appointment as your physical therapist identifies your current issues, so make sure to wear clothing that is easy to move around in and be active in. In addition to exercises, be prepared that your physical therapist might utilize other tools such as a heating or ice pack, ultrasounds or even a massage. 

Will it be painful? 
The answer to this is complicated, but not in the way you think. Physical therapy will not be painful, but it might be challenging or uncomfortable. Physical therapy is designed to help your body heal and get stronger, so push yourself! Your physical therapist will never put you through anything that will harm you.

Tired of dealing with chronic pain? Or are you just looking for new ways to help improve your strength or mobility? Contact us today to let us know what’s bothering you. Our team of professionals will implement a safe, effective, and reasonably-priced treatment plan that will have you living better, whether that means sleeping more soundly or getting through your work day without pain. Patients across Wyoming and Western Nebraska have relied on North Platte Physical Therapy for their pain prevention and physical recovery needs for years.
 
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New Swedish Study Highlights Benefits of Physical Therapy Care

March 27, 2019

New Swedish Study Highlights Benefits of Physical Therapy Care
From executive professionals form Cheyenne North and school teachers from Guernsey, to construction experts from Casper West and first responders from Cheyenne South, there's a familiar refrain from regional professionals who seek care here at North Platte Physical Therapy: 'I wish I'd found you sooner!'

In fact, according to newly published medical research from Sweden, patients seeking primary care for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) who are triaged to a physical therapist fare just as well—and in some respects, better—than those who are seen by a physician general practitioner (GP). 

While we encourage all prospective patients to consult with their primary care provider for all serious injuries first, the findings illuminate just how effective physical therapy can be when you’re looking for relief from MSDs such as carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis, tendinitis, back pain, tension neck syndrome, and hand-arm vibration syndrome. That’s why students, amatuer and professional athletes, and everyday professionals rely on our team every day. 

Patients participating in the study, conducted across three major primary care health centers (PHCCs) in Gothenberg, Sweden,  were of people between the ages of 16 and 67 seeking help for a new, non-debilitating musculoskeletal condition. Patients were excluded from the study if they required home visits, were receiving ongoing treatment for the current MSD, or were seeking help for a chronic condition unchanged for 3 months or more. In other words, patients surveyed were seeking help for the types of non-chronic MSD pain that interfered with their everyday tasks both at work and at home. 

The purpose of the work was to determine how effective their physical therapy treatment had been against those seeking only “traditional” avenues for care. The results were surprising. Analysis revealed that while both focus group in the study improved at similar rates, the group receiving care from regular physical therapy visits group reported consistently better outcomes. 
The study’s PT group tended to reduce what authors call "externalization" of the condition to health care providers —namely, a reduction of stress related to their MSD. 

At North Platte Physical Therapy, we understand that this is an exciting time to seek physical therapy care. With a growing scope of practice and expanding direct access opportunities, our staff of new and seasoned clinicians have a real ability to make an impact in both patient care as well as the trajectory of your healthcare care needs. 

Too many people from across Wyoming and South Dakota suffer from the pain of what could be an easily managed MSD unnecessarily. Contact the North Platte Physical Therapy team today to set up an appointment and to get on track with a physical therapy treatment regimen that will reclaim your life from everyday aches and pains and help you enjoy work and exercise again.
 
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