North Platte Physical Therapy - Powell
Physical and Occupational Therapy are offered through Powell Valley Healthcare. These therapeutic services provided by our friendly staff include treatment to all age groups from infants to geriatric patients. We help restore the range-of-motion, strength, coordination and functional mobility that allows our patients to improve the quality of their lives through our experience and state of the art equipment. Our goal is to provide instruction and appropriate exercise programs that will 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
Hours: Mon - Fri: 8AM - 5PM
Fax: 307-754-3792
John Asher, PT, OCS
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Partner, Clinic Supervisor
John is a partner at North Platte Physical Therapy and has been with the company since 1995. John is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and has always enjoyed various sports, which is what led him into Physical Therapy.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of New Mexico
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Certified Vestibular Specialist
- Certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Certified in Applied Functional Science (CAFS), Gray Institute
- Certified in Graston IASTM Technique
- Certified Cupping Therapist
- SFMA Level 1 - Selective Functional Movement Assessment
- Expertise in Kinesiotaping
- Specialized training through the IAOM, including Lumbar Spine, Cervical Spine, Thoracic Spine, Knee, and Shoulder
Special Interests:
- Vertigo and Vestibular Disorders
- Ankle and Knee Rehabilitation
- Spine Rehabilitation
- Corrective Exercise Prescription
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Wyoming Physical Therapy Association
Community Involvement:
- Instructor for Powell Valley Healthcare's CNA Program
- Volunteer Therapist for Powell High School and Middle School Athletic sports medicine team
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Family: Wife: Julie; Son: Carson; Daughter: Lauren
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and weight training
Troy Fulton, MS, PT
I love Physical Therapy because it gives me the opportunity to interact with a variety of people. I think it is so rewarding to make a difference in someone's life by reducing their pain or helping them gain the strength or function to get back to enjoying life.
Education:
- Master of Physical Therapy, University of South Dakota
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Blood Restriction
- Certified Kinesiotaping
- IASTM Rock Blading Certification
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
- Mulligan Concept ( Upper and Lower Quarters)
- Practical Blood Flow Restriction
- Trigger Point Dry Needling, Functional Capacity Evaluations, Employment Screens
- Certified Cupping Therapist
- Ergo Science Functional Capacity Evaluations
- ErgoScience FCE Trained
- CAFS
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Wyoming Physical Therapy Association
Community Involvement:
Supporter of local high school and college sports
Hometown: Powell, Wyoming
Family: Sons: Nate, Noah, and Nic
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, camping, and woodcarving
Gail Mills, PT
Physical Therapy is the perfect blend of my interest in science, medicine, and providing service to others. I enjoy working with a variety of ages of patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I love the personal element of PT as I have the opportunity to help patients restore function and facilitate a return to their desired lifestyle.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Adult Bladder Control and Urinary Incontinence Certification, Male and Female
- Specialized Training in Dysfunction of the Pelvic Floor, including Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Pelvic Pain, and Postpartum Care
- LSVT BIG Certification
- IASTM Rock Blading Certification
- Kinesiotaping Certification
- SFMA Level 1 - Selective Functional Movement Assessment
Professional Society Memberships:
- Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy
Community Involvement:
- Volunteer Patient Advocate at Serenity Pregnancy Resource Center
- Various volunteer church activities
Hometown: Hulett, Wyoming
Family: Husband Gary, daughter Nikki, and sons Gavin and Galen as well as 9 grandchildren
Hobbies: Camping, horseback riding, reading, crocheting, and visiting my children and grandchildren.
Kandice Lytton, DPT
As a physical therapist, I enjoy making a connection with my patients to learn more about what they want to achieve in therapy. Every patient is unique, and their rehabilitation should be, as well.
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota
- Bachelor of Art, Biology, Carroll College, Helena, Montana
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Herman and Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1
- Herman and Wallace Athletes and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Function and Dysfunction of the Pelvic Girdle and Pelvic Floor
- Pelvic Pain – Female and Male
- Pediatric Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Rehabilitation
- Pregnancy and Postpartum Care
- Functional Manual Therapy for the Pelvic Girdle
Professional Society Memberships:
- Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy
Community Involvement:
- Cub Scout Den Leader
Hometown: Sulphur Springs, Montana
Family: Children: Sam, Garret, Peter
Hobbies: Horseback riding/roping, baking, gardening, fishing/boating, hunting, reading, and sewing. n.
Brett Soloai, OTR/L, CHT
Brett is originally 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:
- Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder
- IAOM Elbow Course
- Certified Hand Therapist
- Diagnosis and Management of the Elbow
- Mulligan Concept (Upper Quarter)
- Donatelli Shoulder Evaluation and Treatment
- Certified Cupping Therapist
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Society of Hand Therapists
Community Involvement:
- LDS Church
Hometown: Hamilton, New Zealand
Family: Wife Cathryn and 6 children and many grandchildren
Hobbies: Racquetball, basketball, auto mechanics, outdoor activities, travel, and family
Kinsey Baxter, MOTR/L
Occupational therapy allows people to live their best, most independent life. I love that I get to walk that journey with my patients. Being an occupational therapist has been my lifelong dream, and I am so excited to share my joy in this work with Powell and my new patients of all ages.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, University of Wyoming
Certifications:
- LSVT BIG
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Occupational Therapy Association
Hometown: Powell, Wyoming
Family: Married to Carter, my high school sweetheart, and happy to be living in Wyoming with our dogs, Flynn and Clyde.
Hobbies: I enjoy being outside doing anything, including running, hiking, skiing, and kayaking. I love spending time in the mountains with my husband, our dogs, and my friends.
Mary Dietz, PTA
I enjoy working in the Physical Therapy department because of the variety of people and injuries I encounter on a daily basis. This is a very fulfilling job when I can help someone get back to the activities they enjoy.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, University of Montana
- Associate of Applied Science - Physical Therapy Assistant, San Juan College, Farmington, NM
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Rocktape Fascial Movement Taping
- Practical Blood Flow Restriction
- Certified Cupping Therapist
- LSVT BIG Certification
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association
Hometown: Powell, Wyoming
Family: Husband, Clay
Hobbies: Horseback riding, CrossFit, and quilting.
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
- Functional Strength
- Certified CPR instructor
- CAFS
Community Involvement:
- 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.
Services Offered
- Balance Rehab
- Body Mechanics Training
- Chronic Pain
- Custom Foot Orthotics
- Custom Splinting
- Ergonomic & Worksite Evaluation
- Functional Capacity Evaluations
- Hand Therapy
- Kinesio taping
- Myofacial Techniques
- Parkinson's Treatment LSVT Big
- Pediatric Occupational Therapy
- Pre/Post Surgical Rehab
- Pre-Employment Screening
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- TMJ
- Torticollis
- Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Women's Health
- Work Hardening/Conditioning
- Worksaver Certified Work Physicals
- Wound Care
Latest News & Info
The most common causes of knee pain - and how to remedy it
January 22, 2020
Tendonitis
Are you an active person? We hope the answer is yes, but while being active it’s important to take your time and be careful. Overuse can result in tendonitis - an inflammation of the tendons. It can also commonly occur during high impact sports in which you’re forcefully hitting the ground. Symptoms of tendonitis include swelling in the area of the tendon, feeling a lump in that area, and difficulty moving that tendon.
Torn cartilageÂ
Trauma to the knee, such as a hard hit or even an extreme misstep, can cause the cartilage in and around the knee to tear. Unfortunately, cartilage tears can be very serious, particularly if you are an athlete. Symptoms of a torn cartilage in the knee can include tenderness, popping sounds, swelling, and inability to put weight on that leg.
Sprained/strained ligaments
Your ligaments are as equally important to stability as your cartilage. These also can be serious, and can occur from a hard hit or other trauma to your knee and surrounding area. Because of how important ligaments are to the stability of your knee, these injuries can also be very serious. Symptoms are similar to that of torn cartilage, so if you are experiencing any of them be sure to see a doctor promptly.
This is not an exhaustive list of all causes of knee pain. If you are experiencing any of the above issues, or have additional pain concerns please reach out to your primary care physician. Everyone is truly different, and each body reacts differently to pain and stress. We can always help advise you on the proper course of action, or refer you to a local primary care physician that can help you figure out your next steps.Â
No matter what your diagnosis is, we at North Platte Physical Therapy, are here to help meet your needs. Physical therapy can be essential in healing from any knee-injury, and with proper care you can be back to your normal routine in no time. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services. Contact us today for more information.
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Stay safe while working toward your New Year's Resolution
January 15, 2020
Get Guidance
Yes, we are giving you some light guidance here. But getting a personal trainer or coach will do wonders. Not only will this help you reach your goals faster, they can help better train and prepare your body for any strenuous activity. While everyone wants to reach their goals, it is essential that one does so safely, and with as little injury as possible.Â
Warm Up
If you are getting ready to partake in any type of physical activity, you should really take time to complete a short five minute warm up. Warm up with a light walk, or even some light stretching. While it might seem as if it’s not helpful, and not helping you meet your goals, it’ll ultimately help keep yourself from getting any injuries.
NutritionÂ
You’ll never meet your goals if you aren’t fueling your body properly. While fad diets are certainly not healthy, fueling your body with fruits, vegetables and lean proteins are the quickest way to help fuel your workouts.Â
Listen to Your Body
If you feel strain on your body, be sure to relax. Muscle strains and pains are your body’s way of telling you to slow down, take a breather, and make sure that you get some much needed rest. The same applies to nutrition - if you are hungry, be sure to get some healthy foods into your body.
Cross Train
If you are hoping to reach your goals, it’s important to cross train. Cross training will keep your muscles from getting exhausted, and it’ll help keep your workouts fresh, stimulating, and impactful. If your body becomes to use one type of workout, it’s common to plateau and you can cause your muscles un-needed strain and damage.
If you start to develop an injury, be sure to reach out to your primary care physician, they can help guide you on the right treatment path. At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services. Contact us today for more information.
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Starting a new running routine? Here's what you need to know.
January 8, 2020
Getting Started
Getting started on a running plan can be intimidating, overwhelming, and ultimately scary! But it doesn’t have to be. It’s best to establish a running plan for your first 6-8 weeks and while doing so plan your walk to run ratio. If you are just starting out, stick to a 2:1 ratio to help your body adjust to the sudden surge of physical activity. Aim for a walk/run workout for 3-4 times a week, and to help your body further adjust make sure to cross train. An elliptical workout is a great way to help your body adjust.
InjuriesÂ
Runners, particularly newbie runners or those that run often, are prone to more injuries then you’d anticipate. Make sure to keep an eye out for symptoms of the following common injuries, and see your doctor if you are experiencing any pain.
Runner’s Knee: Also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) affects the cartilage under the kneecap - this irritation occurs in approximately 40 percent of running injuries. If you start to experience pain surrounding the knee cap, try to take some time off from running and rest. If this pain occurs for more than a few days of rest - see a primary care physician.
Shinsplints: Ever heard of these? Shinsplits, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, is a pain that occurs around your tibia when small tears develop in the muscles. Shinsplits occur for overuse, and are particularly common in those who just start running and working out again. Take your time, and be careful not to overdo it.
Achilles tendonitis: When your achilles tendon becomes stressed, it strains and becomes irritated. This irritation can make it difficult to walk/run, and is one of the more common injuries for runners.Â
If you start to develop an injury while practicing your new running routine, be sure to reach out to your primary care physician, they can help guide you on the right treatment path. At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services. Contact us today for more information.
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What You Should Know About Dry Needling from your Wyoming and Nebraska Physical Therapy team
December 18, 2019
The History Dry Needling
The discovery of dry needling dates back to the 1940s when a doctor by the name of Janet Travell identified muscular trigger points and patterns on the body. She along with another doctor, David Simon, created the first generation of what is known today as dry needling.
The American Physical Therapy Association defines dry needling as a skilled intervention that uses needles to penetrate the skin to stimulate underlying trigger points for pain and movement impairment management.Â
The treatment uses small, solid needles inserted into the body. The purpose is to stimulate tissue and release tight muscles. It can also be used to help lessen pain. Dry needling is a growing trend being used by professional athletes as well as weekend warriors.
Dry Needling Versus Acupuncture
You might be asking yourself, what is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture. Because the two use needles, they might sound very similar. The truth is, although there is a commonality with both using needles, there is a big difference in both method and approach between the two.
Dry needling is used to treat the muscles after a physical examination has been conducted. Treatment is based on where the patient is feeling pain as well as other areas that the physical therapist determines after conducting an examination and assessment.
When undergoing dry needling, the physical therapist inserts needles into the body slowly. They are moved around and manipulated—gently—to get a response from the muscle and usually removed almost immediately afterward. This process might be repeated over and over again, depending on the situation.Â
Acupuncture is a technique for balancing the flow of energy. When acupuncturists insert needles into specific points of the body, they are looking to balance energy flow. In acupuncture, the needles are frequently left in the body for a specific amount of time, with the acupuncturist often leaving the patient for a while.Â
Who Performs Dry Needling?
Most states regulate dry needling so it is performed only by a physical therapist or doctor of physical therapy who has been specially trained. At Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness, a certified physical therapist will perform dry needling. A massage therapist does not perform dry needling although massage too deals with trigger points in the body.
Conditions That Can Be Treated With Dry Needling
Dry needling can relieve a variety of musculoskeletal problems. It is relaxing and therapeutic procedure that is suitable for many different conditions, such as back and neck pain, sporting injuries, and discomfort that is a result of poor posture.
If you are suffering from any of the following conditions, you might inquire about dry needling to find out whether it can help you:
- Athletic performance
- Back pain
- Bursitis
- Chronic pain
- Golfer's elbow
- Headaches
- IT band syndrome
- Knee pain
- Neck
- Osteoarthritis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sciatica
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
For the vast majority of people, dry needling does not hurt. In fact, most people don’t even feel the needles being inserted. Although the needle is moved and manipulated in order to engage a response from the muscle, the feeling that ensues is more of an ache or cramping sensation rather than pain. Â
Side Effects of Dry Needling
It probably comes as no surprise that there can be side effects to dry needling, but these will vary depending on the individual. Some people report some needle soreness that might last for a day or so after treatment. In very few patients, there is some skin bruising at the needle sights, but this is somewhat rare and occurs in fewer than 5 percent of patients.
Just in case you are a bit sore after treatment, you might want to plan your schedule around that possibility to give yourself a few days to recover.
What to Expect During Your First Dry Needling Appointment
During your first session, our physical therapist will evaluate the areas where you are feeling pain, discomfort, or tightness. An examination will determine which muscles are tight or knotted. This is often performed by gently pressing on the areas as directed by the patient or by palpitating areas to determine if the muscle feels tight or knotted.
After locating the areas to be treated, the physical therapist will press a plastic tube containing a sterile needle against the skin, gently tapping it into place. There should be very little discomfort during this procedure; most patients barely feel anything.
As the needle is pressed deeper into the muscle tissue, there may be some discomfort. The physical therapist will then gently manipulate the needle to stimulate the muscle into twitching or cramping, loosening tight muscle fibers.
Many patients report feeling relief from pain after just one or two dry needling sessions.
If you have heard about dry needling yet you remain skeptical of its efficacy, you should consider that many professional athletes around the world are using this treatment to relieve muscle pain and disfunction. At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are always happy to answer your questions about any of our treatments, which in addition to dry needling include treatment for craniofacial and jaw pain, functional movement screening, hand therapy and splinting, injury risk assessment, and more. Contact us today to learn more!
What you need to know about back surgery, from your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist
December 3, 2019
What are the benefits?Â
There are quite a few benefits of back surgery - some of our favorites are below:
- Physical fitness
- Improved mood
- Getting back to your normal mode of operation and habit
What are the risks?Â
There are a few risks as well, however, the benefits and potential payoffs from receiving back surgery makes it worth it. Side effects/risks are also rare, and may vary person to person:
- Herniated discs
- Bleeding/infection
- Blood clots
- More serious conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage
What are the different types of back surgery?Â
- Spinal fusion: If you are having a spinal fusion surgery, your doctor will be joining your vertebrae. This is a common type of surgery, however the surgery will limit your motion between the vertebrae. Despite this, most likely you will not experience any limit in your range of motion.Â
- Laminectomy: This is a surgery in which parts of your bone, bone spurs, or ligaments will be removed. While this will help relieve any pressure you are feeling...it can lead to a more unstable spine. Often times you might have this surgery, and then a spinal fusion to assist in stabilization.Â
- Disk replacement: This is exactly what it sounds like - a surgeon will remove a damaged disk and replace it with an artificial one. This tends to be similar to a spinal fusion, but recovery time is much shorter and this surgery will allow you to continue to move your spine.
If you have questions concerning an upcoming back surgery, we reco
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