Big Country Rehabilitation - Lusk

Joints spread across the body make many human movements happen and none may be more important than the knees. These lower body hinges allow walking, running, jumping, lifting, and many more activities to take place with ease but their constant use also leads to the potential for injury and wear. While there are plenty of orthopedic needs surrounding this major joint, its ligaments, and other components, the typical physical therapy treatments associated with a knee commonly depends on how the injury occurred. For example, individuals who participate in sports may be more subject to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries versus having to undergo a full knee replacement - which is typically reserved for people as they age.

Knee pain is something which impacts people young and old, but targeting specific causes for these issues helps individuals find relief. Being able to understand the problem allows medical professionals an opportunity to focus on the needs in order for a return to function prior to any pain. This often includes the use of physical therapy as there are plenty of different knee issues which can be served by using a focused approach. As with any physical therapy program, the needs will be specifically designed for each individual depending on their particular injury.

ACL Injuries

Athletes are more susceptible to ACL injuries due to the nature of their occurrence. Caused by sudden stops, directional changes, or outside collisions, these injuries typically require surgery for repair and a physical therapy regimen to return full functionality.

Meniscus Tear(s)

The meniscus is made up of cartilage in the knee and helps absorb impacts from constant bending and maneuvering during all activities. These components have a tendency to suffer tears when bearing weight and twisting, which is prone to any age individual in a variety of different situations. While repair without surgery is possible, depending on the tear’s location, these injuries do usually require medical attention more often than not in addition to physical therapy.

Knee Replacement

Another common orthopedic knee injury and treatment involves undergoing a knee replacement. Depending on the amount of damage which has transpired, this may be a partial or complete replacement. For many, this action comes when a joint is considerably worn out after constant use over time. Most individuals who undergo the knife for knee reconstruction are over the age of 60, making physical therapy an even more important part of the process. Learning to walk and function with a new joint in such a critical area is difficult, but a personalized physical therapy process will be implemented to help make the recovery as easy as possible.

If you have suffered a knee injury or know someone who has chronic pain in their joints, 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!
 

People across the country make visits to see their physical therapist each and every day. For many, these services provide relief and capabilities of a return to normal functionality on the targeted body part or painful area. Whether the deficit occurred through injury, age, or accident, physical therapy services offer beneficial options for helping patients recover or remove the pain entirely. A significant perk for all clientele is the program being implemented is designed specifically for each separate person, to focus on their precise needs and help speed up the recovery process. These factors make a significant difference, but there are also important items to consider before making a very first visit.

Direct access laws allow for individuals to seek physical therapy treatments without first visiting their primary care physician. While there are many people who are still referred to a therapist for treatment, if you feel the need for care or have certain questions about how treatment may help then the door is open. However, there are still a few actions to be taken in order to prepare for a successful initial appearance. 

Check Your Symptoms

Before arrival, individuals should prepare for their visit by checking symptoms, their persistence, pain levels, and impacts to ensure a doctor’s visit or medical emergency shouldn’t be triggered. Once determined a physical therapist may be able to assist, then a call should be placed. Patients need to also record their symptoms over time and provide specifics about how any pain or numbness is impacting their lifestyle.

Dress Accordingly

Patients should also consider their clothing when headed into the office for a visit. Often, sessions will require movement or access to the area being addressed. For example, jeans and long pants should be avoided for those patrons seeking physical therapy on a knee injury. 

Honest Communication

A third key element to a successful first visit is to be open and honest with how you are feeling and what causes the pain or discomfort. Holding back doesn’t help your therapist as they mold a personalized plan of action and will ultimately only delay your healing. By being up front with details and following through with any prescribed home activities, patients can establish the foundation for a quality and trusted relationship with their therapists.

If you have suffered an injury or know someone who has 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!
 

Physical therapy (PT) provides a wide range of services for a large part of the general population. While many individuals associate athletes as those who need physical therapy the most, there are plenty of reasons to apply this method of treatment for everyone. From work injuries to mobility issues, the situations where physical therapy helps individuals is significant. However, there are certain body parts which are more susceptible in athletics and everyday life.

There are approximately 300 million therapy sessions administered each year across the United States. While the majority of recipients are older, impacted body parts remain the same for all people. Due to their movement patterns and susceptibility to injury, these particular joints and other parts of the body are more commonly associated with physical therapy services to enhance mobility, relieve pain, or return to a prior metric of performance.

Knee

From athletes to seniors, knees have a tendency to become injured or cause mobility issues as age increases. Both of these impact an individual’s capability to remain mobile and can also reduce their ability to bear weight. By administering physical therapy to the affected joint, sessions can help boost recovery.

Ankle

Lower joints also twist and turn in ways which may cause need for physical therapy. The ankle is a vulnerable joint for injury both inside and outside the sports world. From slipping off a sidewalk to falling on a wet floor, the ankle is another body part which requires an enormous amount of support in the PT world.

Shoulder

Lifting heavy objects, carrying items, and any repetitive movement completed over and over again may all lead to an upper body PT focus. The shoulder is a complex joint surrounded by tendons, muscle, and bones which all have the capacity to dissipate over time. Once any below average performance is noticed, immediate action should be implemented for support.

Head and Neck

The head is another body part which is subject to injury from many different events. Concussions have recently been the subject of much attention and physical therapy may assist in dealing with post-injury symptoms. In addition, the neck is an especially complex joint which has potential to cause significant pain when not functioning properly.

Elbow

Similar to the knee, elbow injuries are the upper body equivalent and another mobile joint which wears down as time passes. In addition, there are numerous actions individuals complete everyday which could also cause damage to this part of the body. 

If you have suffered an injury or know someone who has 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!
 

There are many different benefits and applications of physical therapy services but one ailment which often receives assistance involves those suffering from chronic pain. This blanket diagnosis impacts millions of Americans and finding relief can be life changing. Understanding the causes varies between individuals and this is one of the major factors why physical therapy helps address the problem areas. With plans specifically designed for each particular patient, improvements are often seen and felt after only a short time. However, recognizing the associated areas of chronic pain is also key prior to seeking help from any physical therapy services.

Chronic pain persists for an extended period of time following an accident, injury, or other related activity. In addition, certain illnesses may also cause extended pain to appear and others suffer without evidence of any particular cause. Constantly dealing with these pain issues has many repercussions including a potential affect to employment, wages, being absent from social activities, and other side effects beyond the physical ramifications. Knowing which areas of the body may be impacted by chronic pain is also helpful in identifying the problem.

Joint Pain (Arthritis)

Arthritis is another umbrella term for joint pain which may occur in different areas of the body. Especially as you age, the likelihood of increased pain from joints increases and constant battles with specific areas may qualify as chronic pain.

Neck Pain

Most everyone has experienced a stiff or painful neck from a rough night’s sleep, but for those experiencing chronic pain this suffering is constant. While there are numerous potential treatment methods, physical therapy may enhance movement and help subdue or eliminate the pain.

Back Pain

Numerous individuals suffer from back pain which is another large area of chronic pain association. Resulting from age, accidents, or other injuries, finding relief is paramount for those impacted in this way.

Headaches

For some individuals, headaches extend beyond typical timeframes or occur more frequently - including daily. These two instances are likely to be considered chronic pain allowing those suffering engagement in treatment tactics, potentially including physical therapy to address the issue.

Muscle Pain (Fibromyalgia)

Another chronic pain issue which also results from various different origins are constant muscle and body aches, known as Fibromyalgia. This ailment often results in difficulty sleeping and can lead to other associated factors from a lack of quality rest. 

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!
 

Running a business can be a rewarding experience, but there are certain details which may be extremely frustrating. Depending on the size of your employee workforce, understanding all of the ins and outs of human resources can be difficult for owners and certain required compensation insurance coverages are often draining to the budget. The nature of your business will determine which applicable percentages apply, but even with ‘desk jobs’ there remains some risk of injury. For this reason and many others, examining the benefits of partnering with an individual physical therapist or operational practice and how their services can assist your company should be given priority.

Millions of workers compensation claims are reported annually, leaving businesses and insurance companies to cover costs and prices to rise. The state of these employees and their ability to complete jobs of which they are assigned varies for each individual and situation, but there are certain aspects and qualifications which may be assessed by a physical therapy clinic helping to make informed decisions. Once processed, businesses have seen multiple benefits with a working relationship for each of the following reasons and more.
Pre-Employment Screening

Once the physical therapist is made aware of what a specific job requires, there are numerous tests and assessments which can be completed in order to check for any physical limitations associated with the employment opportunity. Many jobs require individuals to complete a general physical prior to beginning work, this potential partnership simply takes the health analysis a step farther, helping avoid or mitigate any future issue.

Injury

In the event an injury does occur to an employee, physical therapy services may be required as part of their recovery process. By having a trained and trusted therapist working closely with your business and all employees, the relationship is often positive and easier for all involved parties. On the business side, knowing the company will only ever have to work with one clinic versus having multiple employees getting information from different sources is especially helpful.

Return To Work

Following an injury, employees need to pass certain parameters before being admitted back into the workforce. Again, by having the same group of physical therapists working alongside your company and its employees, consistency is strong along with a trusted relationship. Employers can be confident their employees are receiving the best care possible and that they are fully ready and capable to return once cleared.

Testing

Each of these different scenarios requires a specific test for analyzing the subject and their ability to meet the needs of a certain job. From pre-employment determinations to returning from suffering an injury, having all of your information sourced from the same physical therapist is a tremendous perk for business owners. The consistency of subject matter plays a vital role in helping companies make the most informed decisions possible when it comes to work related injuries, employees, and any associated compensation.

If you own a business or know someone who 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!