North Platte Physical Therapy - Cheyenne (North)
Our company has now expanded to provide physical therapy services to the city of Cheyenne and its surrounding communities. We provide progressive, research-based intervention techniques to meet your personal rehabilitative needs. As a patient of North Platte Physical Therapy you can expect to receive the highest level of rehabilitation, a personalized plan of care designed to meet your needs, a family friendly, hometown clinical experience and exceptional outcomes so you can return to your active lifestyle. We focus on always remaining flexible to meet your needs. With same day appointments and walk-ins welcome, whatever your injury may be, we are always here for you. We will work closely with your healthcare providers to provide the most seamless recovery possible. If you have any questions on the services that we can provide or how we can best serve you please contact us or stop by so we can get you on the road to recovery.
Location Details
Address: 7226 Commons Dr, Cheyenne, WY 82009
Hours: Mon - Fri: 7AM - 6PM
Phone: 307-514-5834
Interested in scheduling at our East location? View Cheyenne East Details
Nate Eakins, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS, SFMA,
AIB-VR, C-PS
Clinic Supervisor
My interest in physical therapy was instilled while watching my mother work in Torrington as a Physical Therapy Aide. I am passionate about continuing education and maintaining the highest level of excellence in physical therapy. My patients will always come first, and I will work with you to achieve the best outcome possible.
Degrees:
- Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (In Progress), Texas Tech University
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota
- Bachelor of Health Sciences, Minor in Chemistry, University of Wyoming
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist APTA
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
- Certified Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner
- Certified Cupping Therapist
- Vestibular Certification
- Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
- Champion Performance Specialist
- IAOM Elbow Course
- IAOM Wrist Course
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
- A Systematic Approach to Examination, Diagnosis, and Manual Therapy of the Wrist Part 1
- Diagnosis and Management of the Elbow
- ErgoScience FCE Trained
- Gray Institue, CAFS
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
Community Involvement:
- Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce
Hometown: Lingle, Wyoming
Family: Wife: Lorelei Eakins, Children: Ava, Harper, & Hayes
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, outdoor activities, and spending time with family
Kara Carter, PT, DPT, OCS, AIB-VR
Seeing patients progress through treatments and making a difference in their lives to regain function gives me a great feeling of personal satisfaction. Doing this work, you meet a variety of people from many walks of life and make lifelong connections with people. Physical therapy fosters a holistic approach and allows therapists to treat the individual, rather than the body part or injury. Lending a helping hand through all aspects of rehabilitation focused my career choice on physical therapy.
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Clarke University
- Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medical, Iowa Wesleyan University
- Associate of Science, Lake Land College
Certifications/ Specialized Training:
- Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Certified
- A Systematic Approach to Examination, Diagnosis, and Manual Therapy of the Wrist Part 1--IAOM
- Diagnosis and Management of the Elbow
- Dry Needling Course 1
- Dry Needling Course 2
- Current Concepts in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
- IAOM Wrist Course
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
- Gray Institue, CAFS
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Orthopedic Section
Hometown: Potomac, Illinois
Hobbies: Hiking, camping
Family: Amanda, Shadow, and Max
William Hunt, PT, DPT
During college, I became fascinated with human movement and movement-based medicine. Being a physical therapist allows me to give my patients more hands-on time than traditional medicine, and since I believe the human body was designed to move, I love instilling that passion in my patients.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotion, University of Wyoming
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota
Certification/ Specialized Training:
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
- EIM/ Kinetacore Trigger Point Dry Needling Level 1
- ICE Cervical Spine Management
- ICE Lumbar Spine Management
- ICE Extremity management
- RockTape Basic and Advanced Certified
- FMS Level 1
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association - Wyoming Chapter
Hobbies: When I'm not working at the clinic, I will be out trying to conquer the mountains of Wyoming and Colorado or mountain biking on the local trails.
Cole Brooks, PTA
"I decided to go into physical therapy after becoming injured in high school football. I really enjoyed the positive environment during my therapy experience and strive to provide the same for my patients."
Education:
- Associate of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant, Laramie County Community College
Certifications/ Specialized Training:
- IAOM Elbow Course
- IAOM Wrist Course
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
- Vestibular Certification
- A Systematic Approach to Examination, Diagnosis, and Manual Therapy of the Wrist Part 1
- Diagnosis and Management of the Elbow
- Sportsmetrics Certified
- Kinesio Taping
- IAOM Manual Therapy of the Lower Cervical Spine, Lumbar spine and SI joint
- Therapeutic Neuroscience Education
- Certified Cupping Therapist
- Gray Institue, CAFS
Professional Society Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association
Community Involvement:
- Member of Cheyenne Berean Church
Hometown: Cheyenne, WY
Hobbies: Fly fishing, hunting, hiking, and anything outdoors
Anne Berry, PTA
My father had suffered a stroke, and I was able to see firsthand the role that physical therapy played in his recovery and returning back to normal life. I knew then that I wanted to help people that way.
Education:
- Bachelor of Business & Marketing, Western State College
- Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, San Juan Farmington, NM
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
- IAOM Elbow Course
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
- IAOM Manual Therapy of Lumbar Spine and SI Joint
- Vestibular Certification
- Diagnosis and Management of the Elbow
- Kinesio Taping
- Professional Memberships:
- Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy
- Gray Institue, CAFS
Community Involvement:
- Valley Christian School Foundation Member
- Havens on the Rock Summer Camp Board Member
Hometown: Evergreen, CO
Family: Husband: Todd Berry, Children: Lance & Catie
Hobbies: Biking, skiing, traveling, and spending time with family
Craig Koger, PTA
Being an athlete my entire life, sports medicine and physical therapy have always been a passion of mine. After recovering from a shoulder injury, which I had to have surgically repaired, I was inspired by a Physical Therapist who helped me regain my strength in order to continue my sports career. I pursued this career in Physical Therapy to help others achieve their dreams and continue to do what they love.
Education:
- Bachelor of Kinesiology and Health Promotion and Sciences, University of Wyoming
- Associate of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant, Laramie County Community College
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- IAOM Wrist Course
- Functional Movement Specialist
- A Systematic Approach to Examination, Diagnosis, and Manual Therapy of the Wrist Part 1
- Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy
- Gray Institue, CAFS
Hometown: Wheatland, Wyoming
Family: Wife: Allyson Koger
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, outdoor activities, cameras, spending time with his wife and two dogs.
Services Offered
- Arthritis Pain
- Back Pain
- Balance and Vestibular Rehab
- Biofeedback
- Biomechanical Gait Analysis
- Body Mechanics Training
- CSCS, Certified Strength Conditioning Specialist
- Chronic Pain
- Cupping Therapy
- Custom Foot Orthotics
- Custom Splinting
- Ergonomic and Worksite Evaluation
- Fine Motor Dexterity
- Fitness Screenings
- Functional Capacity Evaluations
- Graston Techniques
- Hand Therapy
- Headache
- Kinesio taping
- Modalities
- Myofacial Techniques
- Neck Pain
- Neurological Services
- Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, OCS
- Orthotic Fabrication
- Orthopedic Service
- Pediatric Therapy
- Pool Therapy
- Post Cancer Treatment
- Pre/Post Surgical Rehab
- Pre-employment Screening
- Return to Work Screening
- Return to sport exercise programs
- Running Injuries
- Self-care skills
- Sensory Integration
- SFMA - Selective Functional Movement Assessment
- Spine Care
- Sports Medicine
- Sportsmetrics
- Stroke Rehabiliation
- Tactical Training
- Tendonitis
- TPI (Titlist Institute Performance) Certified Golf Screenings
- TMJ
- Torticollis
- Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Vestibular Rehabiliation
- Women's Health
- Work Hardening/Conditioning
- Work Injuries
- Worksaver Certified Work Physicals
- Wound Care
Latest News & Info
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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How to avoid injury during bad weather - from your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist
November 25, 2019
The most common types of winter injuries include falling (on ice or snow), strain from snow shoveling, and ultimately injury during exercise while it’s cold out. However, there are a few things you can do to help avoid these common types of injuries. Let’s talk about falling first - the following won’t completely prevent you from falling and getting injured..but it’s a good start.Â
- Wear proper footwear, with proper traction
- Slow down - there is no need to rush
- Keep strides short, longer strides increase risk of fall
- Don’t rush outside when completing chores - once again there is no rush
- Never go outside without your cell phoneÂ
It’s important to pay attention to how your body is feeling after the fall. You might not feel the fall immediately, but if you’ve taken a particularly hard fall we recommend you go see a doctor right away just in case. Falls can be extremely dangerous - tread lightly.Â
Do you snow shovel regularly? Snow shoveling can cause injury, such as falling (as previously talked about) or even muscle strain. Here is how you can prevent uncomfortable and ultimately painful muscle strains:Â
- Take it slow and easy - trying to do too much too quickly can result in injury
- Make sure you are wearing proper gear so you don’t slip and fall while shoveling snow
- Stretch. This sounds odd, but be sure to stretch before going out to shovel snow.Â
In terms of preventing injury from outside physical activity - this will just require you to be careful. Accidents happen, but how you respond to them will ultimately determine how you heal. If you are experiencing body aches and pains, also be sure to reach out to your primary care physician or our team. 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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