North Platte Physical Therapy - Torrington
We opened the Torrington clinic in February of 2006 as the 13th clinic in our company. North Platte Physical Therapy came to Torrington with one goal:
“To provide quality professional care with a family friendly atmosphere to the people of Goshen County and surrounding areas.”
In March 2012 we were proud to move into our current state of the art facility. This facility has allowed for additional program development in fall prevention and youth athletic performance programs as well as being able to add professional staff and increase our depth and breadth of knowledge in order to offer industry leading therapy techniques to patients of all ages and injuries.
Click Here to View Our EventsLocation Details
Address: 1301 East M Street, Torrington, WY 82240
Hours: Therapy - Mon - Thurs: 7AM - 6PM, Fri: 7AM - 5PM | Fitness - Mon - Thurs: 7AM - 6PM, Fri: 7AM - 5PM
Fax: 307-532-5455
Marnie Elizabeth Herring, DPT, LAT, ATC, OCS, SFMA
Partner, Clinic Supervisor
“my first experience with physical therapy was as a patient in high school. I was very active in sports and was driven, encouraged and challenged by my physical therapist to return to a competitive level. Because of that experience, I wanted to become a physical therapist and athletic trainer so that I might have the same influence on young athletes and active individuals. I have been blessed with that opportunity and am honoured to have MY physical therapist as a colleague and partner now. Physical therapy should be a positive experience and should provide the patient with life goals that lead to good health.”
Education:
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Creighton University 2001
- Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology, University of Northern Colorado 1997
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Blood Restriction
- Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Functional Capacity Evaluations Certified
- National Athletic Trainers' Association Board Certified
- SFMA Level 1 & 2
- Practical Blood Flow Restriction
- National Athletic training board certified
- Dry Needling certified
- FMS 1 & 2 certified
- Graston certified
- Kinesio tape certified
- Impact Trained Athletic Trainer
- Worksaver certified
- OCS
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
Professional Society Memberships:
- National Athletic Training Association
- American Physical Therapy Association
Hometown: Douglas, WY
Family: Husband, Crockett Herring, son, Bodie, daughter, Brenna
Hobbies: Following her children with their sports, cycling, team roping & quilting.
Quinn Carroll PT, MSPT
My father and I worked together in the oilfield. One day he was badly injured in an accident and had to have major surgery on his hip and knee. Over the next few years he underwent hip and knee replacement several times and each
time physical therapy was a requirement to help him recover. When I finally went back to school, I knew I wanted to be in a profession that helped others as much as he had been helped. It was a natural choice for me.
I have been blessed to have been in this profession for almost 3 decades and I still feel passionate about it. It’s been said many times that it really isn’t work if you love what you do and it really isn’t work for me. When
I’m not enjoying my time in the clinic you can find me golfing, hiking, looking for nature in various ways or enjoying the intricacies of good food and drink.
Education:
- Associate Degree : Brainerd Community College in Brainerd Minnesota
- Bachelors of Science Degree : Andrews University in Berrien Springs MI
- Masters of Science Degree: Andrews University 1993
A whole bunch of school of life in between !!
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
- Certified Kinesiotaping
- Visceral Manipulation I-VI from The Barral Institute
- Manual Physical Therapy classes 1-8 from the Institute of Physical Art in Steamboat Springs CO
- Over 50 continuing education classes ranging in topics from skull, neck, back, pelvis injuries to joint replacements.
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
- Certification in Applied Functional Science(CAFS)
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
By default I have become knowledgeable and proficient with Chronic pain management.
Community Involvement:
I am a Mason and within the Masonic family I am a York Rite member and a Shriner. I also enjoy participating in the various festivals and community events in Southeast WY.
Hometown: I was raised in the Pavilion / Riverton area of Wyoming and have always considered the Wind River Valley my home regardless of where my house is. I graduated from Wind River High School. I have lived in many states over the years all across the northern border of US but call Torrington Wy home for now.
Family: I have three children all busy adulting themselves. One in Oregon, one in Colorado and the other in Cheyenne. I also have two granddaughters who are, undoubtably, the smartest and prettiest grandchildren anywhere!
Brittney Lynn Walters, DPT, CSCS, CSPS, TSAC-F
I’ve always been amazed with the human body and its many complexities. Physical therapy suits my personality, my love language is acts of services, I love to stay active throughout the day, and I am an advocate for health and fitness.
Education:
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln: BS – Nutrition Exercise and Health Sciences
- Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions: Doctorate of Physical Therapy
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- CSCS – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through NSCA
- CSPS – Certified Special Populations Specialist through NSCA
- TSAC-F – Tactical strength and conditioning specialist
- Pelvic Floor I, Graston/IASTM, Pregnancy Rehab, Dry Needling 1
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
Professional Memberships:
- NSCA – National Strength and Conditioning Association
- APTA – American Physical Therapy Association
Hobbies: Archery, hunting, weightlifting, running with my dogs, cooking, and home renovation.
Family: Husband (Taylor) Diesel Mechanic, Millie (Golden Retriever), Huxley (Heeler/collie mix)
Tara Nicolay, PTA SMFA
There is nothing more rewarding to me than being stopped by a former patient on the street and being told that because of what we did for them they can enjoy their life again. There is nothing better than a hug or happy tears from a patient that just met a goal they thought unattainable. This job gives me a real sense of accomplishment that is hard to find anywhere else.
Education:
- Associate of Science; Physical Therapy Assistant
- Bachelor of Science; Wellness Management
Certification/Specialized training:
- Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
- IAOM Elbow Course
- Diagnosis and Management of the Elbow
- Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy
- Nebraska Board of Physical Therapy
- Certification for Sole Support Orthotics
- Certification for Gastroning Technique
- Certification for Kinesiotaping
- Certified Cupping Therapist
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
Hometown: Torrington, WY
Family: Husband: Robb, Children: Tyler and Regan
Hobbies: Reading, Scrapbooking, Crocheting/Knitting, Watching sporting events, Playing with my children
Melanie Herring, PTA, SFMA
Education:
- B.S. in Human Biology
- Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- IAOM Elbow Course
- Diagnosis and Management of the Elbow
- Certification in Fall and Prevention
- Certification in Kinesio Taping
- Certification For Sole Support Orthotics
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
Professional Society Memberships:
- Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy
- Nebraska Board of Physical Therapy
Community Involvement:
- 4-H Volunteer
Hometown: Chadron, NE
Family: Husband, Boone, Children, Cade & Cord
Hobbies: Scrapbooking, Team roping
Sandra Vanatta, PTA
When I was in high school, I enrolled in career resource training which enabled me to job shadow a variety of medical professions. Since that point, my love for physical therapy has only grown. I foresee this as a good career path for me because the intricacies of the human body and the numerous opportunities for growth will challenge me for years to come.
Education:
- Associate of Applied Science; Physical Therapist Assistant from Laramie County Community College 2021
- Associate of Arts; Spanish, Liberal Arts Concentration from Laramie County Community College 2021
Certifications:
- Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
Professional Society Memberships:
- Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy
- American Physical Therapy Association Wyoming Chapter.
Hometown:I was born and raised in Fort Collins, CO, but moved to Torrington, WY, in 2016. I then graduated from Torrington High School in 2019. After earning my PTA degree, I returned to Torrington to be close to my family.
Family: I currently live at home with my two parents, Dennis & Sue Vanatta, my younger brother, Matthew, and our three dogs Elsa, Nala, and Wolfie. My older sister, Kristine, is also a big part of my life.
Hobbies: In addition to physical therapy, I am passionate about martial arts. During my spare time I also love to read fiction, hike, and spend time with my family.
Emily Yorges, LAT, ATC, SFMA
“I have had a strong passion for athletic training since high school, and always knew it would be the career path I would take. Being able to work in the clinic as well as working with student athletes at school gives me a unique opportunity to see their injuries first hand, followed by taking them through a sport specific rehabilitation program to return them to their sport. There’s nothing I love more about my job than seeing an athlete come back after an injury, and helping them return to their sport with confidence and the strength to play to the level they were at before their injury.”
Education:
- B.S. in Kinesiology and Health Promotion-Athletic Training 2010
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- SFMA Level 1
- Hawk Grips Level 1 & 2
- Graston Level 1
- IMPACT Trained Athletic Trainer
- Wyoming Licensed Athletic Trainer
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification
- Sportsmetrics Certified
- FMS Levels 1 & 2 Certified
Professional Society Memberships:
- Rocky Mountain Athletic Training Association
- National Athletic Training Association
Community Involvement:
- Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries Instructor
- Goshen County High Schools Athletic Trainer
Hometown: Douglas, WY
Family: Husband, Colin; sons, Colby and Dax
Hobbies: Raising club cattle
MEGAN DUNCAN MS, ATC, LAT, NASM-PES, NASM-CES, ITAT
Athletic training allows me to combine my love of sports with that of healthcare. Athletic training allows me to provide injury prevention as well as recovery and rehabilitation after the injury. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing an athlete pour their heart and soul in to their injury recovery step back on to the field or court.
Education:
- BACHELOR OF SCIENCE: BIOLOGY-EMPHASIS HUMAN BIOLOGY CHADRON STATE COLLEGE
- MASTER OF SCIENCE: EXERCISE SCIENCE EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD OF CERTIFICATION
- WYOMNG LICENSED ATHLETIC TRAINER
- NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT SPECIALIST CERTFICATE
- NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE CORRECTIVE EXERCISES SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE
- IMPACT TRAINED ATHLETIC TRAINER
- IASTM CERTIFICATION
- KINESIOLOGY TAPING CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN RED CROSS CPR/AED/FIRST AID INSTRUCTOR
- STOP THE BLEED INSTRUCTOR
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
Professional Society Memberships:
- ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATHLETIC TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION
Community Service:
- Goshen County Victims Assistance Program
Hometown: Fort Laramie, WY
Family: I was born and raised in Goshen County and have recently returned after living and working in the Houston, TX area as the Head Athletic Trainer at a large high school.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, managing the family farm, cooking, reading, spending time with my dogs.
Services Offered
- Graston Techniques
- ImPACT Concussion Testing
- Modalities
- Neurological Services
- Orthopedic Service
- Pediatric Therapy
- Post Cancer Treatment
- Spine Care
- Sports Medicine
- Sportsmetrics
- Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Women's Health
- Work Injuries
- Wound Care
- Arthritis Pain
- Back Pain
- Back School Presentations
- Balance and Vestibular Rehab
- Biofeedback
- Biomechanical Gait Analysis
- Body Mechanics Training
- Chronic Pain
- Cupping Therapy
- Custom Foot Orthotics
- Custom Splinting
- Fall Prevention Training
- Fine Motor Dexterity
- Functional Capacity Evaluations
- Hand Therapy
- Headache
- Kinesio taping
- Myofacial Techniques
- Neck Pain
- Orthotic Fabrication
- 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
- Sports Medicine
- Sportsmetrics
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Tendonitis
- TMJ
- Torticollis
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Work Hardening/Conditioning
- Worksaver Certified Work Physicals
Latest News & Info
The Benefits of Yoga After Receiving Physical Therapy Services
August 26, 2020
Improved Ability to Recover
There’s no guarantee that you’ll never get injured again after undergoing physical therapy sessions with your trusted team. However, there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood that your injury will require extensive physical therapy to fully recover. Yoga is one of them. When you incorporate yoga exercises into your routine, you’ll train your muscles to function properly, stay loose, and reduce your risk of injury in the first place. If you do get injured again, the injury will likely be less severe. Your muscles will be able to recover faster and more effectively.
Helps You Relieve Stress
When you get stressed, your muscles get tight. The tighter they are, the more restricted your range of motion will be. That restricted range of motion makes it easier for you to injure yourself and increases the likelihood of needing physical therapy in the future. Yoga helps keep your muscles loose and makes it easier for you to maintain the range of motion you regained after physical therapy. Over time, you might even see an improvement in the extent of your flexibility.
You’ll Build Functional Strength
When you work out at a gym, it’s normal to want to push yourself and try exercises that you might not be ready for. Not only does that increase your risk of injury, but it also doesn’t help you stay healthier. Functional strength or building strength that helps your body function at 100 percent is always better than building bulk. However, getting those results on traditional gym equipment can be tough. Yoga builds functional strength with nothing more than your bodyweight. You’ll get strong without adding bulk to your frame.
May Improve Your Sleep
Little aches and pains can get in the way of a good night’s sleep more than anything else. The more often they do, the harder it will be for you to function at work, in social engagements, and other events throughout your life. Yoga helps stretch your muscles and restores your posture to reduce those aches and pains. When you’re in less pain, you’ll be able to sleep better which can then impact your overall health and wellbeing.
Speak With Your Physical Therapist
If you’re about to wrap up physical therapy, the best thing you can do is continue to stay active. Ask your therapist for advice on the types of activities that will help you recover fully and avoid future injury. If you’re interested in yoga or any other activity, let them know about your interest so they can advise you further.
Common Signs of a Herniated Disc From Your Trusted Wyoming Physical Therapy Team
August 19, 2020
There’s Intense Pain When You Sit Down
Ordinary muscle strain is often alleviated by sitting down or resting. It gives your muscles a chance to relax and removes the tension from the strained area. When you have a herniated disc, sitting will often make the pain worse. Pay attention to the way you feel when you’re taking a break or working at a desk. If the pain gets noticeably worse when you’re sitting down, call your doctor as soon as possible.
The Pain Spreads Down Your Legs
One of the most common signs of a herniated disc is a condition called sciatica. This condition causes the pain you normally feel in your low back to run down the sciatic nerve which travels from your buttocks to your feet. When a disc ruptures or slips, it puts pressure on that nerve, resulting in pain throughout your lower back, buttocks, and legs. The pain is often slow to spread and doesn’t stick around for days on end. If you notice the pain shifting from your low back to your lower extremities when you perform certain activities, you may have a ruptured disc.
Feelings of Numbness
Believe it or not, ruptured or herniated discs don’t always cause sensations of pain. Sometimes, they cause parts of your body to feel numb or tingly. Think about the way your body feels when you’re moving around. If the pain is fairly consistent, you likely have a strained muscle. However, if the pain fades and leaves a feeling of numbness down one part of your body, you may have a herniated disc. If you notice this sensation, call your doctor immediately to discuss your treatment options.
Get Help Quickly
Coping with low back pain throughout the day is never pleasant. Luckily, there are things you can do to correct the issue and get your body back on track. The best place to start is by working with an experienced physical therapy team and letting them slowly make corrections to your muscles and spine. Those corrections will help you stave off back pain in the future so you can focus on maintaining your health. If you’re experiencing low back pain, don’t wait. Contact your nearest office and schedule a consultation with our team.
Why Active Recovery Days Are the Best Way to Avoid Needing Physical Therapy Services
August 13, 2020
What Active Recovery Means
Active recovery means you’re giving your body a break from the strenuous workouts you do on your normal gym days, but instead of sitting all day, you’re getting up and moving. Think of an active recovery day as an ultra-light workout day. If you normally run, go for a long and leisurely walk. If you lifted weights the day before, run through some yoga or stretch and walk the tension out.
The Benefits of Active Recovery Days
Now that you understand what active recovery is, you’re likely wondering why it’s so important. After all, you deserve to be able to rest and take a day off after working out incredibly hard. While you’re certainly entitled to periods of rest, active recovery days have a few compelling benefits.
Keeps Your Muscles Loose
If you’ve ever worked out incredibly hard only to find that you’re stiff the next morning, you know that keeping your muscles loose is a challenge. Not only do stiff muscles increase the pain you feel throughout the day, but they also put you at risk for injury when you get back into your workout routine. Active recovery days emphasize movement, helping to keep your muscles loose and get rid of those feelings of stiffness that keep you from being able to work out as hard as you’d like later in the week.
Gives You Time to Focus on Form
Active recovery doesn’t have to mean taking a break from your exercise routine. It just means going at it with a lot less intensity. You can use this to your advantage and focus on form instead of how hard you’re pushing yourself. By paying attention to your form and building muscle memory when you’re not pushing yourself, you’ll be able to maintain that form later without as much effort.
It’s Fun and Relaxing
Believe it or not, active recovery days can be fun and relaxing. They’re the perfect opportunity to try new exercises and experience new things without having to worry about missing out on your workout. Just remember to keep things fun and don’t put pressure on yourself to perform to a certain level.
Keep Your Body Moving
Movement is the best medicine and is the easiest way to keep your muscles loose and healthy. If you ever end up dealing with an injury or are worried about a persistent ache that won’t go away, reach out and schedule an appointment with our team.
How to Prevent Mountain Biking Injuries According to Wyoming Physical Therapy Experts
August 6, 2020
Check Your Bike Before You Ride
Running through a safety check before you hit the trail is the best way to keep yourself and other riders safe. Inspect your bike thoroughly prior to every ride. Make sure the nuts, bolts, and axels are properly mounted and tightened. Check your brake cables for tension and make sure the calipers or rotors can stop your wheel when you squeeze the lever. Look at your pedals and remove any debris that could keep your feet from sticking well. It’s also a good idea to check your wheels and make sure they’re in true. If they’re not, the wheels won’t roll straight and could end up clipping rocks and roots as you go.
Wear the Right Gear
Seeing mountain bikers zipping down trails without helmets or protective gear is, unfortunately, a common sight. Those riders risk serious injury if they fall or lose control of their bike on the trail. Instead of becoming another statistic, make sure you’re wearing the appropriate gear before you leave the trailhead. Invest in a good helmet and get it fit properly at your local bike shop. Wear gloves to maintain grip on your handlebars and consider knee and elbow pads to help reduce impact stress if you do fall. If you’re going all-out and riding technical trails and making steep downhill descents, invest in biking armor. This can dramatically reduce your risk of injury if you wipe out.
Warm Up Before You Leave
When your muscles are tight, they’re more prone to serious injury. Save yourself the risk by warming up before you hit the trail. Go for a short run or brisk walk to get the blood circulating and to loosen your muscles after the drive to the trailhead. Then, run through full-body stretches and make sure you’re comfortably loose. If anything feels tight or you notice strain from your previous ride acting up, consider taking it easy on the trail. Let your body be your guide. If it feels like you’re not up to a strenuous ride, don’t force it. When you force things, you’re more likely to hurt yourself.
Keep These Tips in Mind
If you’re planning on hitting the trail, keep these tips in mind and you’ll be able to reduce your risk of getting injured doing what you love most. If you do end up taking a bad spill or notice that you’re not performing the way you want, schedule a consultation as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the easier it will be to speed your recovery.
Common Symptoms of Knee Trouble Wyoming Physical Therapy Providers Don’t Want You to Ignore
July 20, 2020
You’re Not Sleeping
As knee pain gets worse, you may find it difficult to get comfortable at night. This can impact the quality and amount of sleep you get every night. If you find yourself struggling to deal with your pain or keep waking up because your knee starts acting up, don’t wait. Get help from your Wyoming physical therapy team immediately.
You’re Changing Your Lifestyle
You should never have to modify your hobbies, activities, or lifestyle to accommodate knee pain. If you’re making concessions and missing out on doing the things you enjoy most, reach out for help. The best thing you can do is seek treatment. The sooner you can start working to find the underlying cause of your knee pain, the sooner you can get back to sleeping through the night.
The Joint Keeps Popping
Ordinarily, popping joints aren’t a huge issue. However, when it’s your knee that’s popping, it can be a sign of cartilage damage. The sooner you get your knee treated, the better off you’ll be. Leaving your knee to keep popping increases the risk of the cartilage damage getting worse. Once this happens, most people notice a dramatic increase in pain and mobility difficulties.
It’s Swelling Frequently
Swelling is the body’s response to injury. You don’t even have to feel severe pain for your body to respond this way. If your knee is swollen frequently, especially if you can’t explain what might be causing the swelling, it’s worth getting it checked out. There may be an underlying injury that needs treatment and leaving it to its own devices could end up doing permanent damage to your joint.
You’re Finding It Hard to Take Care of Chores
Bending, stooping, walking, and stretching are all part of daily life. If you’re finding it hard to take care of those normal tasks or are unable to complete those movements because of soreness or pain in your knee, don’t ignore it. Find out what’s going on so you can get your body back to moving normally.
Physical Therapy May Help
Your doctor will be able to tell you what’s going on with your knee, but once you have a diagnosis, follow up with their recommended treatment options. When your doctor recommends physical therapy, it’s because they know it can help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, don’t wait. Contact us today.