North Platte Physical Therapy - Wheatland
North Platte Physical Therapy has been serving Wheatland and Platte County for 30 years. It began as a contract with Platte County Memorial Hospital providing out-patient and in-patient services. We now continue to provide out-patient services at our clinic treating a variety of patients and provide contract services for home health of Platte County and the Platte County School District #1. We are a rural clinic and treat a wide range of patients. Being a clinic in a smaller area, we have the pleasure of getting to know our patients personally as well as professionally.
Our Wheatland Clinic provides a comprehensive out-patient facility, including a fitness center available to the general public. In addition to staffing the out-patient clinic, our therapists provide services in home care, and public schools. We also work with our local physicians providing athletic physicals and early intervention for our injured athletes.
Location Details
307-322-1878 Send Email
Address: 1456 Paragon Way, Wheatland, WY 82201
Hours: Mon - Fri: 7:30AM - 5:00PM
Fax: 307-322-1879
Michael Utt, PT, DPT, OCS
Hours: Mon - Fri: 7:30AM - 5:00PM
Fax: 307-322-1879
Michael Utt, PT, DPT, OCS
Clinic Supervisor
When I was a junior in high school I decided on physical therapy as my future career. I initially chose PT because I thought it would be fun to work with athletes. As I went through school I realized that I enjoyed working with all types of individuals with a variety of orthopedic-related ailments. I lived the majority of my life in eastern North Dakota and am now here in Wyoming to explore what else is out here in the country and grow as an individual.
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota
- Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a Health Sub-Plan, University of North Dakota
Certification/Specialized Training:
- Advanced Topics in the Examination, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Shoulder and Knee
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist
- Vestibular Certification
- Practical Blood Flow Restriction
- A/B VR
- Kinetacore Dry Needling-Level 1
- Rock Taping Certification
- Gray Institue, CAFS
- Kevin Wilkes: Online and Live Certificate
- Kinetacore Functional Dry Needling Level 2
- Diagnosis and Management of the Thoracic Spine
Professional Membership:
- American Physical Therapy Association - Orthopedic Section
Hometown: Casselton, ND
Hobbies: Basketball, golf, weightlifting, hiking, and the occasional jog.
Tommi VanRissegham, PTA
As a certified nursing assistant, I frequently witnessed the physical decline in the patients I provided care to and that inspired me to become a PTA, so I could help improve their quality of life. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. I especially love stories about how my patients can now do things they weren't able to do before therapy.
Education:
- Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, Laramie County Community College
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- Musculoskeletal Management of the Pelvic Girdle
- IAOM: Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Cervical Spine
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, and spending time with my husband and five grown children
Andrew Polk, PTA
I enjoy the physical therapy field because it allows me to apply my understanding of and fascination with the human body to improve the health and quality of life of people in the community around me. I find this to be one of the most rewarding responsibilities I could imagine.
Education:
- Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapy Assistant, Iowa Western Community College
Certifications/Specialized Training:
- FMS Y-Balance Test
- Cupping Therapy
- Blood Flow Restriction
- IAOM Elbow
- IAOM Hand/Wrist
- Diagnosis and Management of the Thoracic Spine
Professional Society Membership:
- American Physical Therapy Association
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, weight training, gardening, and cooking
Family: Wife, Raymi, and soon-expected daughter
Services Offered
- Arthritis Pain
- Back Pain
- Balance and Vestibular Rehab
- Body Mechanics Training
- Chronic Pain
- Cognitive Evaluations & Treatment
- Cupping Therapy
- Custom Foot Orthotics
- Custom Splinting
- Ergonomic & Worksite Evaluations
- Fine Motor Dexterity
- Hand Therapy
- Headache
- Graston Techniques
- Kinesio taping
- Modalities
- Myofacial Techniques
- Neck Pain
- Neurological Services
- Oral Motor Control
- Orthotic Fabrication
- Orthopedic Service
- Pediatric 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
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Swallow Evaluations
- Swallow Strengthening
- Tendonitis
- TMJ
- Torticollis
- Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Women's Health
- Work Hardening/Conditioning
- Work Injuries
- Wound Care
Latest News & Info
How to avoid injury during bad weather - from your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist
November 25, 2019
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.Â
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
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
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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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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What does back pain really mean?
November 20, 2019
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:Â
Additional issues that might be causing you back pain include:Â
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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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:Â
- 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.Â
- 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:Â
- Cervical radiculopathy: Pinched nerve - may be caused by a herniated disc or bone spur.Â
- 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
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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:Â
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.Â
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. Â 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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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:Â
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.Â
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. Â 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
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.Â
As you start to wonder if it can be a sign of something more serious, you should ask yourself the following questions:Â
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:Â
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.Â
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.Â
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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As you start to wonder if it can be a sign of something more serious, you should ask yourself the following questions:Â
- 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?Â
- Is the pain associated with numbness or weakness?Â
- Are you having any trouble with walking?Â
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:Â
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.Â
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.Â
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
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.
Most lower back pain results from an injury. However, there are some underlying causes that could be responsible for lower back pain, including:Â
If you are experiencing long-lasting back pain, be sure to reach our to your primary care physician or our team. Â 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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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
Most lower back pain results from an injury. However, there are some underlying causes that could be responsible for lower back pain, including:Â
- Cancer
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Kidney infections
- Ruptured/herniated discs
- Infection
If you are experiencing long-lasting back pain, be sure to reach our to your primary care physician or our team. Â 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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