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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

307-754-1235  Send Email Submit Paperwork
Address: 469 Mountain View Street, Powell, WY 82435
Hours: Mon - Fri: 8AM - 5PM
Fax: 307-754-3792

Meet the Staff

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

How to avoid injury during bad weather - from your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist

November 25, 2019

How to avoid injury during bad weather - from your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist
Snow has officially arrived, and with more snow/sleet sure to come shortly, it’s important to do your best to stay safe in the bad weather. But how can you stay safe, and avoid unnecessary injury? Snow, sleet, and ice come with a new set of problems and new ways that you can get injured and end up needing to see a primary care physician and ultimately physical therapist in Wyoming or Nebraska. 

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. 
  • 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 phone 

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. 

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: 
  • 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. 

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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What does back pain really mean?

November 20, 2019

What does back pain really mean?
Back pain can be difficult to diagnose on your own, which is why you certainly shouldn’t do it. In terms of determining when to visit a doctor, we recommend that you visit a doctor when your pain is so severe it impedes your daily activities, or when it’s been more than 3-5 days - particularly if you didn’t have any back pain related to physical exertion. Perhaps you’ve already scheduled an appointment with your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist or doctor and you’re trying to figure out...what could the cause of my back pain be? What does this really mean for my overall health? Check out some of the causes of back pain, and what this can mean.

Discs (the soft tissue between your spinal joints): Sometimes back pain case me some issues with your spinal discs. This can manifest in the form of: 
  • Herniated/slipped: Means the discs have moved in some way - such as come out. Herniated discs will cause additional pain, as they can affect your nerves as well. 
  • Bulging: Bulging discs bulge similar to a herniated disc, but often times not as much.
  • Degenerative: This means the discs have begun to degenerate - so they might be shrinking or tearing. This often times happens with older age.

Additional issues that might be causing you back pain include: 
  • Cervical radiculopathy: Pinched nerve - may be caused by a herniated disc or bone spur. 
  • Spinal stenosis: Your spinal canal has narrowed.
  • Spondylolisthesis: One of the bones in the lower spine has slipped forward and out of place.

There are many more issues that can cause prolonged back pain, but those are just a few of the most common. It’s extremely important that you do not self-diagnose a back pain cause, and that you see a primary care doctor or physical therapist. Be sure to contact us or your primary care physician for assistance. 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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How Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapy can help back pain

November 13, 2019

How Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapy can help back pain
Back pain can be a nuisance...but you might be wondering, why would I need to go to a Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist? You might be wondering if a physical therapist is work the cost. We certainly understand the hesitation, but we can promise there are substantial benefits to participating in physical therapy for your back pain.

The first thing you should know is that there are a few different types of physical therapy and all have their uses. Make sure you take time to understand each, and speak with your primary care physician as to what might be best for you. The first type of physical therapy is “passive” physical therapy. Passive physical therapy is something that is done to your body, versus your body exerting effort. When you think of “RICE” (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) this is a form of passive physical therapy. Other types of passive physical therapy includes TENS units, and iontophoresis.

Let’s do a quick definition check: 
TENS units: Electrical stimulation
Iontophoresis: Delivering steroids to the body through skin

The next type of physical therapy is “active” physical therapy - or physical therapy that involves your body exerting effort. This includes stretching, active exercises, and other movements that your physical therapist has assigned to you. Active physical therapy most commonly would be used when your body needs to be rehabilitated due to an injury versus when your body needs rest. When it comes to active physical therapy make sure you stay in contact with your primary care physician and physical therapist to avoid hurting yourself even further. 

Now, why is physical therapy helpful? Physical therapy is your key to strengthening your muscles - slowly, effectively, and safely. A typical healthy adult (with no injuries) doesn’t need physical therapy to help strengthen their muscles - but injuries is what can cause the problem When you are battling injuries, you’ll need to be careful to avoid causing further serious issues or strains - which is where physical therapy can assist.

It’s always worth speaking to your primary care physician if you think that you might need physical therapy...but it’s also worth talking to your primary care physician or physical therapist if you think you’d like to stop physical therapy. Participation in physical therapy can help you safely rehabilitate from an injury without risk of further injury. Remember...further injuries can make it even harder to recover.

If you are experiencing long-lasting back pain, 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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Why aching pain can be a sign of something more serious, from your Wyoming physical therapist

November 5, 2019

Why aching pain can be a sign of something more serious, from your Wyoming physical therapist
Aches and pains can be just that...a pain. It’s estimated that 60-80 percent of adults will experience back pain sometime in their lives, and 20-70 percent of adults will experience neck pain. You may have noticed you are beginning to experience pain for longer than 24-48 hours...and sometimes that’s okay. Perhaps you’ve had a hard work, or are even recovering from a major injury/medical procedure. But here is when you should start to consider it might be something more serious. 

As you start to wonder if it can be a sign of something more serious, you should ask yourself the following questions: 
  • How long has the pain been going on?
  • Is there anything that makes the pain worse? Perhaps a movement or when you sit/lay down a certain way.
  • Do you have pain when walking? 
  • Is the pain associated with numbness or weakness? 
  • Are you having any trouble with walking? 

These are all questions that your doctor is likely to ask you, and it could be indicative of something more serious. As you start to answer these questions yourself, make sure you are mindful of the answer so you can discuss with your primary care physician. Here are the true signs you should begin to look out for, and when you should certainly seek medical attention: 
Sudden onset of pain: If you have sudden onset of pain whether that be in the back or neck, you should definitely seek medical attention. Particularly if this pain wakes you up at night, or is something that happens consistently. 
Numbness: Are you having bouts of numbness? This could signal issues with your nerves - make sure to call your doctor sooner rather than later to avoid more permanent and more serious damage.
Fever: Fevers are indication of infections, and infections can get serious if left untreated. 
Constant pain: Besides the fact that constant pain can be an annoyance, it can also affect your daily life and get worse over time.
Traumatic injury: If you’ve experienced a traumatic injury such as a bad fall, car accident, etc., it’s important to get treatment right after the event. If you’ve delayed this and are experiencing pain after the fact...get in to a doctor immediately.

If you are experiencing long-lasting  pain, 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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Back pains and how to handle them, from your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist

October 29, 2019

Back pains and how to handle them, from your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist
Are you suffering from back pains? Perhaps you don’t know where it’s stemming from, or how best to start to manage the pain? Don’t worry - your experts at North Platte Physical Therapy are here to help! From causes, to things you can begin doing at home we have some of our best tips straight from your favorite Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapists. Take a look at what we have to say, and if you think you might be experiencing a more serious problem...reach out. We are here to help you.

Symptoms
Let’s start with the basics. Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms? All of these are indicative of a back pain, or something deeper, but it’s important to note that these do not represent all symptoms you might be experiencing. Think of this as the starting point.
  • Pain that shoots down your leg
  • Muscle aches
  • Shooting/stabbing pain in any part of your back
  • Pain that increases with any physical labor/strain on your back
  • Pain that improves when you lay down
Causes
Most lower back pain results from an injury. However, there are some underlying causes that could be responsible for lower back pain, including: 
  • Cancer
  • Sciatica
  • Arthritis
  • Kidney infections
  • Ruptured/herniated discs
  • Infection
If you are having back pain for longer than two weeks, and it doesn’t improve with stretching, rest or compressions/ice. Be sure to see a primary care physician. In the meantime, we do recommend rest and relaxation. However, in this case rest just means lighter activity. Light stretching and even walking can sometimes help ease back pain, but be sure not to overdo it. When you are experiencing back pain, it is not the time to start a full exercise routine. For the first 24 hours apply ice, then for the 48+ hours apply heat to the affected area. 

If you are experiencing long-lasting back pain, be sure to reach our 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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