North Platte Physical Therapy - Lovell

 
 

Easy, Flexible Scheduling with Same Day Services

The Lovell Clinic provides physical and occupational rehabilitation services including outpatient and inpatient care and services to the local public school. These therapeutic services include treatment of all age groups from infants to geriatric patients. We help restore the range-of-motion, strength, coordination, and functional mobility that allow our patients to improve the quality of their lives. Our goal is to provide instruction and appropriate exercise programs that allow people to return to the activities they enjoy. We offer same day scheduling to all patients and work to fit their busy life schedules.

Location Details


Address: 1115 Lane 12, Lovell, WY 82431
Hours: Mon - Fri 8AM - 5PM
Fax: 307-548-5263
Ladell Merritt, DPT, SFMA

Clinic Supervisor


Ladell believes that the human body is designed to move and be active.  He enjoys helping people improve themselves to enjoy life to the fullest.

Education:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Creighton University 
  • Undergraduate Studies, Utah State University 

Certifications/Specialized Training:  

  • Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
  • Trigger point dry needling, custom foot orthotics, manual therapy for back, neck, and shoulders, and vestibular rehabilitation
  • ErgoScience FCE Trained
  • Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
  • LSVT-BIG
  • CAFS

Professional Society Memberships:

  • APTA, Orthopedic and Sports Sections

Hometown: Star Valley, Wyoming

Family: Ladell and his wife have four children

Hobbies: Triathlons and competing in Ironman races

 
Trisha McArthur, DPT

Trisha enjoys being able to help people return to active, productive, and meaningful function so they are able to have a good quality of life after sustaining injury, surgery, or disease.

Education:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Northern Arizona University 
  • Master of Exercise Science and Nutrition, Colorado State University 
  • Bachelor of Exercise Science, University of Wyoming 

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
  • Certified Dry needling, manual therapy, ASTYM and sports medicine
  • Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
  • LSVT-BIG
  • CAFS
  • IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine

Professional Society Memberships:

  • APTA

Hometown: Trisha was born in Lovell, Wyoming and ended up graduating high school in Douglas, Wyoming. She currently lives in Cowley, WY

Hobbies: Trisha enjoys the outdoors and likes hiking and camping. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends.

 
Brett Soloai, OTR/L, CHT

Brett is from New Zealand and became a US Citizen in 2010.  Brett strives to help his patients reach their maximum functional potential and restore the highest quality of life attainable.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, The Central Institution of Technology

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • Certified Hand Therapist

Professional Society Memberships:

  • American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)

Community Involvement:

  • LDS Church

Hometown: Hamilton, New Zealand

Family: Wife Cathryn and 6 children. Jordan is married and living in Gillette, Wyoming, and working as a Physical Therapist.  Lauren is married and living in Houston, Texas.  Regan, Ashton, Kierstyn, and Gavin are living in Powell.

Hobbies: Racquetball, basketball, auto mechanics, outdoor activities, travel, and family

 
Olivia Borden, OTD, OTR/L

I enjoy my job as an OT because I am able to assist my patients in returning to their previous occupations. I'm highly motivated to help others reach their maximum independence and quality of life.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Interdisciplinary Minor, in Aging, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 
  • Doctor of Occupational Therapy, University of Mary-Billings

Certifications/Specialized Training:

  • LSVT-BIG
  • Advanced topics in examination, evaluation, and treatment of the shoulder
  • Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate

Professional Society Memberships:

  • AOTA
  • WYOTA

Hometown: Zhukovka, Russia 

Family: Husband Ross and two pups

Hobbies: Camping, hiking, kayaking, gardening, crocheting, & baking

 
Sarah Trotter, PTA

I enjoy my job as a PTA helping people return to their previous function following injury or surgery.  I enjoy working in Rural Wyoming as we get to see a wide variety of patients in various settings including inpatient and outpatient.  I love the opportunity to educate patients through exercise and strengthening and see them progress and reach their goals.

Education:

  • Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, San Juan College Farmington, NM
  • Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, Montana State University Bozeman, Montana

Certification/Specialized Training:

  • Rocktape Fascial Movement Taping

Community Involvement:

  • Conditioning coach for high school girls' soccer team, volunteer sports medicine team for middle school athletic activities

Hometown: Thompson Falls, Montana

Family: Husband Shane, stepson Jesse, and stepdaughter Gracie.

Hobbies: Roping, quilting, gardening, exercising, volleyball, and horseback riding

 
Emily Leonhardt, PTA

I used to go with my grandma to her many PT appointments, and she was a terrible, noncompliant patient (lovely lady otherwise). The therapists were always so kind & helped her tremendously despite her snarky attitude. It gave me my love for older, grumpier patients & helping them reach their goals.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology & Health Promotion, University of Wyoming 
  • Associate of Occupational Studies: Physical Therapist Assistant, Pima Medical Institute, Denver, CO

Certification/Specialized Training:

  • Functional Strengthening
  • Fall Prevention
  • LSVT-BIG
  • IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine

Hometown: Bailey, CO

Family: Husband, Austin, son Calvin, & puppies Paxton, Maggie, & Sammy.

Hobbies: playing with her son, hiking/romping around in the mountains with friends & family, reading

 

Services Offered



Latest News & Info


Physical Therapy Services: Pelvic Floor Areas of Concern


Physical Therapy Services: Pelvic Floor Areas of Concern
One of the many positive things about physical therapy is its ability to adapt for many different applications. Not only are practitioners able to formulate a personalized plan for each and every client, but the needs addressed also vary on a case by case basis. For many, the services include various exercises, movements, and other features to generate blood flow while helping increase mobility. These features target areas to improve overall health and often work moving certain areas back to a predetermined state. For example, an athlete may suffer a knee injury which requires physical therapy as a part of their healing process. These applications vary from one patient to the next, but returning the individual to a pre-injured state is often the goal. However, not only are joints, tendons, and ligaments highlighted, but there are other areas of the body which may also reap the benefits of a personalized physical therapy plan.

Pelvic floor muscles serve a variety of different purposes, all of which are vital. From helping control bodily functions to having an impact on an individual's sexual experience, being able to maintain and utilize the pelvic floor is extremely important for everyone. Both males and females benefit from having a strong base and any areas of need should be addressed immediately. 

Control

One quality aspect of having a healthy pelvic floor is the ability to control both bowels and urination. The muscles performance in this area helps eliminate any unwanted leakage and can assist in making certain there are no issues during regular daily activities.

Constipation

Opposite, weak or unused pelvic floor muscles also leads to constipation for individuals who aren’t readily putting these areas into regular use. While this space supports many of the different organs and bodily functions within this area, having a constant standing for longer periods of time may also lead to secondary bowel issues.

Pain

Abdominal pain is another problematic feature which may be addressed through targeting of the pelvic floor. Improvements in these areas and any adjustments to assist in pain management can both be helpful when dealing with any type of concern.

Sexual Issues

Another side effect of an ineffective or weakened pelvic floor is their impact on sexual experiences for everyone. Men can suffer from erectile dysfunction and pelvic floor muscles also assist with ejaculation. In females, the ability to maintain a strong pelvic floor contributes to enhanced sensation and more arousal due to the muscles being stronger within this area of the body.

If you or someone you know suffers from pelvic floor issues, needs assistance with mobility, or is seeking services for another reason, then consider reaching out to the physical therapy experts at North Platte Physical Therapy, Monument Physical Therapy, Big Country Rehabilitation, and Bear Lodge Rehabilitation today. Offering 18 different locations across Wyoming and Nebraska, our professional staff are ready and willing to help administer and create a personalized plan of action specific to your needs. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Available for all of your physical therapy and related offerings, we look forward to meeting you and providing the type of service you can rely on to help improve your overall wellness very soon!
 
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Physical Therapy Services: Dry Needling Treatment Areas


Physical Therapy Services: Dry Needling Treatment Areas
Physical therapy treatment services vary depending on the needs of each individual client and how therapists attack their symptoms is also very specific to all patients. These modifications and adjustments lead to multiple approaches helping clients get the absolute best care possible and a solution for their needs. For many, these actions target pain related features and one practice which can be utilized to treat a multitude of different symptoms involves dry needling.

Reasons to try dry needling depend on each patient but there are many different areas which can be targeted throughout the body. Often, these procedures are performed in tandem with another physical therapy approach and a goal of finding the correct combination of services for individuals to find relief. While many people are somewhat familiar with the practice of acupuncture, dry needling is something entirely different. Originating on opposite ends of the world, acupuncture focuses on energy and alignment whereas dry needling is a specific approach to target muscles and release trigger points for patient relief.

Neck, Back, and Shoulders

There are many different physical therapy activities to target these high problem areas for pain, discomfort, or other ailments, but dry needling can be coupled with them to assist individuals. Pinpointing problem areas along the muscles associated in and around these areas may help free a person from pain, discomfort, or immobility.

Elbow

Elbow pain is commonly associated with tennis and golf participants due to the repetitive nature of their participatory movements. Using dry needling, physical therapists can pinpoint any areas in need of relief as part of a physical therapy plan.

Headaches

Constant or repetitive headache symptoms may also benefit from a physical therapist’s dry needling technique. Migraine sufferers could achieve some reprieve by pinpointing muscles to reduce spasms impacting these feelings.

Hips and Glutes

Mobility is often significantly impacted if there is pain associated in either of these important areas. By using a dry needling technique, physical therapists can target certain muscles to help potentially release any areas causing an issue.

Knee

Similar to elbow pain, this lower body joint can also be an issue for athletes and other individuals as they age due to repeated use and impact. If needed, dry needling may be used in and around the joint to help serve the needs of any affected patient.  

If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain, needs assistance with mobility issues, or is seeking services for another reason, then consider reaching out to the physical therapy experts at North Platte Physical Therapy, Monument Physical Therapy, Big Country Rehabilitation, and Bear Lodge Rehabilitation today. Offering 18 different locations across Wyoming and Nebraska, our professional staff are ready and willing to help administer and create a personalized plan of action specific to your needs. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Available for all of your physical therapy and related offerings, we look forward to meeting you and providing the type of service you can rely on to help improve your overall wellness very soon!
 
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Physical Therapy Services For Wound Care


Physical Therapy Services For Wound Care
Physical therapy (PT) services are quality care for a variety of different ailments, but not only is their application flexible but administration also varies considerably. In fact, one reason why physical therapy remains so successful is attributed to the versatility of practice. Depending on the specific injury or reason behind seeking treatment, a personalized approach is developed to fit the needs of each individual patient. This method not only allows for more of a potential recovery and improved functionality but it also targets the specific personalized needs with the best possible treatments. Physical therapy often targets aches, pains, and other mobility issues but wounds and their repercussions can also be addressed through a targeted PT plan.

Wounds, while likely still painful, differ from aches and other potential issues where most people believe physical therapy services are beneficial. These specific ailments involve some type of breach in the skin or other related condition associated along with a topical application. Instead of servicing the joints and bones, wound related physical therapy focuses on healing and increasing blood flow to improve recovery. A few commonly treated areas are scar tissue, burns, surgical wounds, and tissue repair procedures.

Scar Tissue

Scars result from the healing process of wounds along the exterior of an individual’s skin. The healing cells and collagen come together creating a new area of fibrous tissue replacing where the epidermis once existed. Size and location of the impacted area can sometimes lead to physical therapy being used to help reduction and healing properties of the prior wound.

Burns

Burns are another tragic result of injuries associated with the skin, meeting the wound qualification as they often peel away outer layers exposing the interior or an affected body part. Fortunately, once the natural healing process has begun, physical therapy may be utilized for scar tissue, pain tolerance, soft-tissue massage, and any related mobilization activities.

Surgical Wounds

Having to undergo some type of surgery often results in incisions or other intrusive measures that have the potential of leaving a wound once complete and healing begins. These areas are typically addressed in similar fashion as scar tissue and can also be aided by undergoing physical therapy in the event of pain presence, potential quicker healing, or a possible reduction in size.

Tissue Repair

Wounds may also interfere with tissue causing the need for repair. Soft tissue healing focuses specifically on tendons, ligaments, and muscles which may become damaged during any type of wound. Physical therapy often aids in recovery and maintains the goal of helping patients get back to performing as they were prior to any injury.

If you or someone you know needs wound care, suffers from chronic pain, could use assistance with mobility issues, or is seeking services for another reason, then consider reaching out to the physical therapy experts at North Platte Physical Therapy, Monument Physical Therapy, Big Country Rehabilitation, and Bear Lodge Rehabilitation today. Offering 18 different locations across Wyoming and Nebraska, our professional staff are ready and willing to help administer and create a personalized plan of action specific to your needs. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Available for all of your physical therapy and related offerings, we look forward to meeting you and providing the type of service you can rely on to help improve your overall wellness very soon!
 
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Physical Therapy Services: Five Benefits To Boost Well-Being


Physical Therapy Services: Five Benefits To Boost Well-Being

Injuries occur for a variety of different reasons, from traumatic events such as a car wreck to sports-related issues, causing individuals pain, discomfort, and often limiting mobility. While there are certain medical procedures and medicines to assist with these problematic limitations, the presence of a structured and personalized physical therapy program also helps to speed up and aid in recovery. These measures offer many incentives helping to boost a person’s well-being while also providing multiple health benefits along the way.

Physical therapy is something many people are familiar with but few understand just how important its benefits are to individuals. However, as the medical market continues to expand, there are millions of people utilizing these services each day and odds are you know one of them in the event you haven’t personally put it to use. While there are countless ways physical therapy assists individuals, there are five key components associated with outcomes from following a professionally prescribed plan.

Recovery Options

Following some type of injury, regardless of its origin, physical therapy boosts both the recovery time and process. In addition, if certain movements are limited or a person has lost function from one of their limbs, the use of a professional physical therapy plan will assist in helping them to recover completely or at least improve the current function to some degree.

Balance Assistance

Another key focal area for physical therapy is to improve balance and coordination among clients. Depending on age and certain other factors, the ability to enhance this component is key and also assists in helping individuals throughout their daily life experiences.

Pain Reduction

Certain aches and pains may also be limited or healed through the use of a physical therapy action plan. This not only aids in a reduction of medication (pain pills) but it also serves as a natural way to attack any lingering issues.

Preventative Practice

Most people associate physical therapy with a resulting action from some prior experience. For example, you twist an ankle playing basketball and physical therapy is needed to help get back out on the court but there are also preventative measures to this practice. Certain therapeutic approaches could help individuals avoid surgery altogether by remedying a problem area before having to go under the knife - always a positive result.

Universal Application

Physical therapy is also a universal practice with a different plan of action specific to each individual. These unique procedures are always shaped to address how each person responds to the treatment while focusing on a personalized approach with the goals of different individuals in mind.

If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain, needs assistance with mobility issues, or is seeking services for another reason, then consider reaching out to the physical therapy experts at North Platte Physical Therapy, Monument Physical Therapy, Big Country Rehabilitation, and Bear Lodge Rehabilitation today. Offering 18 different locations across Wyoming and Nebraska, our professional staff are ready and willing to help administer and create a personalized plan of action specific to your needs. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Available for all of your physical therapy and related offerings, we look forward to meeting you and providing the type of service you can rely on to help improve your overall wellness very soon!
 
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Low impact excerices to help with back pain


Low impact excerices to help with back pain
When dealing with back pain, North Platte Physical Therapy in WY want you to know it is essential to engage in low impact exercises that can help strengthen and stretch the muscles without causing additional strain.
  • Walking is a simple yet effective exercise that can be easily incorporated into one's daily routine. It helps improve circulation and flexibility while putting minimal stress on the back.
  • Another low impact exercise for back pain is swimming or water aerobics, as the water's buoyancy reduces the pressure on the spine. 
  • Yoga and Pilates are also beneficial, offering gentle movements that can improve core strength, flexibility, and posture. These exercises focus on the mind-body connection, encouraging relaxation while targeting specific muscle groups.
Being able to stretch in between the low impact activites will also help with the pain. While the pain can be debilitating and affect daily activities, there are a variety of at-home stretches that can help alleviate discomfort and promote flexibility.
  • One effective stretch is the knee-to-chest exercise. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly bring one knee towards your chest, using your hands to gently pull it closer. Hold for 20-30 seconds, then switch legs.
  • Another beneficial stretch is the cat-camel pose. Begin on all fours with your hands directly under your shoulders and knees below your hips. Arch your back upwards like a cat, then slowly lower it downwards like a camel, breathing deeply throughout. Repeat this motion for several rounds.
  • Additionally, the child's pose can provide relief. Start by kneeling on the floor and sit back onto your heels. Lower your upper body forward until your forehead rests on the ground, extending your arms in front of you. Hold for 30 seconds while focusing on deep breaths.
Keep in mind - it's extremely important to listen to your body and not push yourself beyond your limits. If any stretch causes pain or discomfort, stop immediately and consult with a healthcare professional. Consistency is key when it comes to seeing improvements, so start slowly and gradually increase the intensity over time. Listening to your body and making adjustments as necessary will help you find the perfect balance between staying active and minimizing back pain.
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