Category: Therapy

Women’s History in Physical Therapy

March 16, 2021 – With March being Women’s History month we wanted to take some time to recognize their importance in the profession of physical therapy.

The physical therapy profession has grown and evolved significantly over the years. Physical therapy began during the polio epidemic and World War I. Mary McMillan, also known as the “founding mother” began working with World War I survivors in 1918. She later became known as the first re-aide. Later she began training other women to become re-aides. Once the polio epidemic took hold, McMillan saw the need to grow the PT profession and later formed the national organization called the American Women’s Physical Therapy Association now known as the American Physical Therapy Association. Today, women make up 70% of the PT profession.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.storyterrace.com%2Fus%2Fmeet-mary-mcmillan-the-mother-of-modern-physical-therapy&psig=AOvVaw0115mFubCJGtLK0NCYr35W&ust=1615991689522000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMjZxKeEte8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

We invite you to take the time to visit the following link: https://www.webpt.com/blog/8-famous-women-pts-from-history/ and take the time to read this blog. It shows the importance of women in physical therapy’s past and the foundation that they laid. At Witte Physical Therapy we employ 3 therapists, 2 therapy assistants, an athletic trainer, and a billing specialist that are all women. They continue to keep the profession moving forward today and into the future!

Since the beginning, PT has evolved to include clinical and non-clinical positions. The therapists at Witte Physical Therapy are clinical therapists who work with a wide variety of patients. Physical Therapists do not only treat patients with post-operative conditions. Outside of post-op conditions our physical therapists treat a variety of conditions including, but not limited to:

• Muscle strains and tension
• Spinal pain
• Headaches
• Vertigo
• Women’s health condition’s
• Pelvic dysfunction
• Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Disease
• Cancer
• Lymphedema
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Diabetes
• Cerebral Palsy
• Torticollis

Our therapists are trained to work with and treat all of these conditions. This list is not exhaustive, but provides some examples. Natosha Siemek, PT, DPT, can work with women’s health, pelvic dysfunction, lymphedema, cerebral palsy, and torticollis patients. Kayla Mammen, PT, DPT can work with headaches, vertigo, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease patients. The rest of our staff also have their specialties and can work with the above list and more!

Some of these conditions may come as a surprise. However, many disorders affect the body physically. Physical therapists are trained to work with disorders that effect the body’s physical function. Give us a call today in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747 to ask questions and learn more!

What is Pelvic Health Physical Therapy?

March 9, 2021 – Did you know Pelvic Health Physical Therapy used to be commonly referred to as Women’s Health? Why the change you may ask? Pelvic Health Physical Therapy covers disorders of the pelvis and abdomen for both men and women. Previously, this area of physical therapy mainly treated pre-natal and post-natal disorders. Since then, pelvic PT covers so much more! Here are some common examples:

• Incontinence of bowel & bladder
• Constipation
• Pelvic Pain
• Diastasis Recti
• Hernias
• Pre and post-natal issues
• Pain with intercourse
• Breast Cancer

Many of these disorders are “common” but not “normal”. For example, if you are experiencing pre-natal or post-natal leakage, do not brush it off. This could be the start of a lifelong disorder and it is best to address these issues early on before they could persist or get worse. It you have a diastasis recti or abdominal hernia repair a physical therapist can help you learn proper lifting techniques and retrain the abdominal and postural muscles to help regain strength and prevent re-tearing.

Pelvic health physical therapy is for all ages and genders. Everyone has a pelvic floor and abdominal muscles that can experience dysfunction. If you are experiencing any of these issues or have any concerns give the therapists at Witte Physical Therapy a call in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747. Pelvic health PT could be right for you.

March is Women’s History Month: Physical Therapy and Women’s Health

March 2, 2021 – The month of March is Women’s History Month. Let’s talk about women’s (health) history in Physical Therapy!         

• 1977 – The Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (formerly called Section on Women’s Health of the American Physical Therapy Association) was founded by Elizabeth Noble under the original name of Section on Obstetrics and Gynecology. The association served as a resource for continuing education for physical therapists who were interested in healthcare of women before, during, and after pregnancy.
• 1995 – members voted to change the name to Section on Women’s Health to mark specialized education to address women’s physical therapy needs
• 2001 – the organization updated its mission to recognize members to also treat males affected by incontinence, pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis.
• Present – the professional association is now referred to as the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy to represent the goals of the group to address the abdominal and pelvic health needs of both males and females.

Pelvic health physical therapy has evolved and grown over the years to treat women in obstetrics and gynecology, to all women’s health needs, and eventually to include treatment of male’s abdominal and pelvic health needs as well. Pelvic physical therapy is helpful through all stages of life.  Abdominal and pelvic floor pain and dysfunction can affect men and women at all ages and for many reasons.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/pelvic-physical-therapy-another-potential-treatment-option

Witte Physical Therapy is happy to share we have licensed professionals who have experience in the areas of pelvic health and would be happy to help you overcome challenges in the areas of women’s and pelvic health! Stay tuned to learn more about pelvic health and if it could be right for you! To consult with one of our women’s health specialists please contact us in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747.

For more information visit APTA Pelvic Health | Professional Association for PTs, PTAs and SPTs

Source: https://aptapelvichealth.org/about/history/

Physical Therapy and COVID Recovery

February 23, 2021 – Just over one year ago the first COVID-19 case was reported in the United States. Since then, many things have changed, especially in the health care field.  By now, you have probably known someone who has been affected by the virus in some way. Whether that way be big or small, it is important to know that the therapists at Witte Physical Therapy are prepared to help you or a loved one get back to life as a part of recovering from illness. Our therapists have been preparing and educating themselves on the lingering effects from COVID-19 and what they can do to help. In today’s blog we will break down some of the effects that may linger after COVID-19 recovery and how Physical Therapists can help.

Below are some common signs and symptoms that may linger for a long period after COVID:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Joint pain
• Chest pain, muscle pain, or headache
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Loss of smell or taste
• Memory, concentration, or sleep problems
• Rash or hair loss

Source:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351

Physical therapists are trained to help with muscle and joint pain that can be caused from COVID-19 and possible deconditioning associated with hospital stays. With deconditioning comes muscle strength impairments, decreased heart and lung capacity, balance, endurance, and ability to walk and climb stairs effectively. Our therapists also have a good understanding of proper breathing techniques and training to assist with fatigue, shortness of breath, and cough. Physical Therapists are a good resource to have in case of any other symptoms you may be concerned about. Some examples of COVID-19 rehabilitation with physical therapy can include:

• Exercise and Strength training:
  • Whole Body strengthening
  • Aerobic reconditioning
  • Stretching
• Neuromuscular retraining:
  • Breathing, chest wall, and diaphragm retraining
  • Posture and core retraining for better balance and body awareness
  • Gait training
• Manual Therapy
  • Soft tissue mobilization to improve pain and soft tissue extensibility
• Education
  • Energy conservation techniques
  • Activity modifications
  • Relaxation strategies

            Furthermore, a recent study compiled information from various articles discussing COVID-19 rehab and physical therapy. It concluded, “…the physical therapy of COVID-19 patients will not only reduce the mortality rate of patients, hospital admission time and medical expenses, but also save medical resources, reduce personal and national economic losses, and the probability of adverse social stability events such as medical collapse. Therefore, physical therapy should be introduced into the mainstream treatment of COVID-19 patients as early as possible.”

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7443542/:

J Phys Ther Sci. 2020; 32(8): 545–549.

Published online 2020 Aug 8. doi: 10.1589/jpts.32.545

                For more information about how the therapists at Witte Physical Therapy can help you or a loved one recover from COVID-19, or if you would like to schedule an appointment please give us a call in Louisville at 402-234-3333 and in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747!

American Heart Month – A Physical Therapist’s Role

February 16, 2021 – As American Heart Month continues, we need to educate ourselves on how we can improve our heart health. There is so much you can do to prevent heart disease. If you read last week’s blog, you learned about risk factors. This week we will be covering different ways Physical Therapists can help you achieve a healthy heart.

Multiple studies have shown exercise improves heart health. Working with a PT can help you increase your exercise tolerance safely. Whether this means grocery shopping without losing your breath or getting back to running another 5K, PT can help you train appropriately to reach these goals safely while keeping your specific cardiac needs in mind.

The presence of a physical therapist to help guide you as you work toward your physical and cardiac fitness goals will help you reach a level of independence in a healthy routine. Physical Therapists have an educational background that includes cardiac anatomy, conditions, and the warning signs associated with cardiac distress just to name a few. This allows patients to work closely with a Physical Therapist to safely reach their heart health goals!

When it comes to improving nutritional health, Physical Therapists are qualified to offer resources needed to achieve nutritional health. Taking small gradual steps to improving diet can address multiple cardiac risk factors.

For more information about pursuing a healthier heart with a Physical Therapist, please reach out to your friends at Witte Physical Therapy! Call us in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747!

References:

https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.312669

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2845247/

Understanding Risk Factors of Heart Disease

February 9, 2021 – In February, we are reminded that it is American Heart Month. So, what is the purpose of American Heart Month exactly? Many people understand it as “heart health” month when we are reminded to lead healthy lives to help improve and keep our heart healthy. Now, why should we be concerned about heart health? The #1 leading cause of death in America is heart disease. So many factors contribute to our overall heart health. During the month of February, we will be covering different topics to help you understand heart health and what it means for you.

Today we will be covering heart disease risk factors, what they are, and what we can do to improve our risk factor profile to be heart healthy! 

Below is some information on risk factors derived from the American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/understand-your-risks-to-prevent-a-heart-attack

Major Non-modifiable (those we can NOT change) risk factors for heart disease include:

            Increased age, male gender, and heredity

Major Modifiable (those we CAN change) risk factors for heart disease include:

            High blood cholesterol

            High blood pressure

            Physical Inactivity

            Obesity and Overweight

            Diabetes

            Smoking

Other contributing risk factors:

            Diet and Nutrition – poor diet and nutrition can lead to high blood cholesterol and obesity and even cause stress!

            Stress – stress can lead to a lack of desire to be more active and eat healthy and negatively affect high blood pressure.

            Alcohol – excessive alcohol consumption can cause high blood pressure and cholesterol. Binge drinking can also lead a                                      person to eat and sleep poorly which can lead to stress.  

Many of these risk factors can affect each other. For instance, if you are a tobacco smoker, this can lead to high blood pressure, poorly managed diabetes can cause high blood pressure, and physical inactivity causes weight gain – to name a few. So, what can you do to help improve your risk factor profile? Maybe it is eating healthier or exercising more. Physical therapists are trained to understand cardiovascular fitness training and have a basic understanding of nutrition as well!

Physical therapists are equipped with tools to help YOU achieve your best cardiovascular health! Show your heart some love and schedule a visit with your therapists at Witte Physical Therapy today! Contact us at 402-234-3333 in Louisville, 402-298-4747 in Plattsmouth! Stay tuned for more info on heart health!

Here came the snow

January 26, 2021 – After the historic snowstorm that fell on January 25^th I felt like I needed to take time to reflect on what information would be important for our communities to know about. With snowstorms there are several items we need to consider. Shoveling information, how to get around in the snow, how to condition ourselves for the wind and the cold, how to take care of ourselves after a heavy round of snow removal, and the list goes one. Today we are going to focus on a few of these items.

Scooping Snow: Unfortunately, scooping snow can lead to back injuries. Here are some tips from the American Physical Therapy Association for proper Body Mechanics to keep your body SAFE this winter!

1. 1. Push snow to the side (rather than lifting) when possible. If snow must be lifted, be patient and lift smaller load of snow, especially if it is wet, heavy snow.
   2. Do not twist at the low back when moving snow. Instead, bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible, so that you are lifting with your legs. Step in the direction in which you are throwing the snow to prevent the low back from twisting. This will help prevent lumbar fatigue.
   3. Choose the right shovel. A shovel with a short handle will cause you to bend over repeatedly, while a shovel with a handle that is too long will create a heavier load when lifting the snow. Consider investing in an ergonomically correct shovel and test it out before buying.
   4. Take breaks when needed, especially if you are feeling fatigue or shortness of breath.
   5. Backward bending (also known as back extensions) while scooping snow will help reverse the excessive forward load on the body. Stand straight and tall, place your hands at the back of your hips and bend slightly backward for several seconds.

https://patch.com/connecticut/madison-ct/proper-use-of-snow-blowers-shoveling-techniques-and-winter-safety-tips-from-madison-ems

How to Move on the Snow and Ice: In short, “move like a penguin”. It really can be that simple. See the graphic below from https://studyinsweden.se/blogs/2015/11/27/winter-lessons-from-snowproblems/

Of course if you follow these simple tips and you still are experiencing pain or discomfort from snow scooping/shoveling or a fall you can always call Witte Physical Therapy. We offer free consultations to help you figure out your pain and what your next step needs to be, even if it is not physical therapy. Give us a call today in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747.

Physical Therapy, Health, Society

January 19, 2021 – The profession of physical therapy does not exist on its own. Just like the medical, dental, and pharmaceutical industries, physical therapy has an association that provides a stronger voice and a collective movement working to give physical therapists some much needed support. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) provides many resources to physical therapists and patients about the profession and role of physical therapy.

Recently, the APTA changed one of their messages to state, “We are building a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society”. I feel like this is a very strong and important statement, especially about “improving the health of society” and I want to share what Witte Physical Therapy does to support that part of the statement.

Witte Physical Therapy strives to be a vital member of the community. We work hard as a business to support the other businesses and organizations found in our communities. We achieve this by volunteering for boards, utilizing local goods and resources, and financially supporting local nonprofit groups. We also work hard to support our patients. We take the time to go the extra mile to make sure they are getting the care they need and deserve.

How do we work to improve the health of society? At Witte Physical Therapy we have tried to implement several programs to help improve the health of society.

1. 1. First, we offer free consultations to our communities. These consultations can be used to ask about why they are in pain, what a physical therapy plan for them may look like, to provide a glimpse into how their current fitness level is or is not working in their lives, and other similar reasons. These consultations can be used to ask about what type of physician and who they should go and see for further evaluation, to discuss general health and wellness questions, and other things of that nature.
   2. Second, we have put more money and resources into out sister company, Witte 24/7 Wellness. Its purpose is to allow people to “Get In. Get Fit. Get On With Life.” We have this facility to offer our patients a chance to continue with their exercise program to maintain their gains made with our physical therapy programs and to further their health and wellness. We have this facility for our local communities to have access to a variety of equipment and resources that can help them work on and maintain their fitness goals any day and at any time. In this facility we have the ability to come across the hall and as therapists work with people. In this facility we have a personal trainer who will meet with you and assess your goals and help develop a plan for you to reach these goals.
   3. Lastly, we work hard to provide education within our physical therapy clinics and outside of it. We have and continue to work with local schools and organizations to provide educational opportunities. These opportunities include internships and shadowing opportunities for students. The internships allow for physical therapy students to get experience and work towards completing their didactic and clinical work to become a full time independent physical therapist. The shadowing opportunities are for junior high and high school students to come and learn about the day in a life of a physical therapist. We go outside of our clinic walls and provide education to schools and local organizations about what physical therapy is, how to become a physical therapist, what physical therapy can do for a variety of age groups, genders, and other demographics.

I want Witte Physical Therapy to be more than just another physical therapy company. I want Witte Physical Therapy to work closely with patients before, during, and after they come to one of our clinics. I want Witte Physical Therapy to provide educational activities and opportunities. I want Witte Physical Therapy to be a key member of the healthcare team that helps to be an advocate for the benefit of our patients.

If you want to be a patient of a physical therapy company that wants to go above and beyond for you please call Witte Physical Therapy at 402-234-3333 in Louisville, 402-298-4747 in Plattsmouth.

In Person PT, Virtual PT, or Both?

January 12, 2021 – A big change in the world of physical therapy has occurred since the COVID19 pandemic started. Virtual or Telehealth physical therapy has become more common and more readily available. There have been many questions and kinks that have been worked on and worked out nationally over the past 10 months and now is a great time to look at the option of Virtual Physical Therapy.

A recent blog by the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association states:

“Virtual physical therapy has quickly moved from a niche offering to the mainstream. Having more options is great, but it can also complicate decision making. Having an understanding of the benefits of both can help make clear which one would best help you meet your goals.

IN PERSON PHYSICAL THERAPY

The main advantage of traditional “brick and mortar” PT is that the therapist is in the room with you. That means they can move around to see how you’re moving from different angles, physically adjust your position or movement as you exercise, and physically examine you – testing your strength, measuring your range of motion, etc. They can also use things like manual therapy, electrical stimulation or ultrasound when you’re in the clinic. In person PT may work best for:

• New patients – the ability to physically examine you makes it easier for your PT to accurately diagnose what’s going on
• Less active patients – if you’re not used to exercising and moving, having someone physically present to coach you along can be a big benefit
• People with complicated or chronic conditions – if your back has been hurting for the last 5 years and you’ve been ignoring it, providing a diagnosis and treating it totally virtually will be difficult for your PT
• Less motivated patients – virtual PT requires you to do most of your exercises by yourself. If you need someone watching over you to make sure you do them, in person PT might work better for you

VIRTUAL PT

The main benefit of virtual PT is convenience. Because virtual PT relies on you doing most of your exercise and treatment on your own, appointments can be shorter. This also means that motivation is a prerequisite to choosing virtual PT. The fact that you don’t have to travel to the clinic makes it easier to squeeze a visit into a busy schedule. Virtual PT works well for:

• Athletes and others with good body awareness – being on your own for your home exercise program requires you to be in tune with your body and how it’s moving
• People with common athletic injuries – things like tendonitis, sprains, strains, plantar fasciitis, and overuse injuries are commonly treated by PTs. Because of that, there is a template for treatment that is easily adapted to individual needs.
• People who are comfortable with technology – you don’t have to be a technology whiz, but having some familiarity with skype, facetime, or zoom helps!
• Existing and returning patients – if your physical therapist knows you, it’s easier to treat you virtually.

Both options have benefits and limitations. One or the other might be right for you and your needs, but they’re not mutually exclusive. Combining the two can work well for many people. Doing an in person visit for your initial evaluation and perhaps a follow up visit or two will let your therapist provide an accurate diagnosis and get you started on your exercise program. Once you’re comfortable with your exercise program, you can transition to virtual visits.”

At Witte Physical Therapy we offer both in person and virtual physical therapy at all three of our locations. Please call us in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747 to schedule your initial evaluation or free consultation to learn more.

We’ve Made It to 2021!

January 7, 2021 – Now that we spent last week reflecting on what happened in 2020, we can begin to look forward to this year and 2021! Early reports of the vaccine seem promising and they are starting to let people back into events. We have had time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t work in 2020 and this can be the foundation to starting to figure out what our goals for 2021 should be.

We use goals in therapy all the time. Once we set up your plan of care at your initial evaluation we set up goals. Often we have short and long term goals for our patients. Our short term goals focus more on the numbers. Improving range of motion, improving functional outcome questionnaire scores, improving home exercise program tolerance, etc. Our long term goals focus more on your functions. We want to improve your ability to get back to work, get back on the court, get back to your hobbies, etc. From these goals we look at what are goals are for each treatment session. These can be as simple as improving the reps a patient can tolerate. They can be more complex and focusing on breaking down techniques into smaller steps to ensure that we are being as thorough as we can.

We as individuals should also take the time in January to think about and write down our own personal goals for 2021. These could be about how we want to treat others, how we want to associate with our family, how we want to progress in our career, how we want to improve our financial stability, and how we want to address our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. And that is probably just the tip of the iceberg! These goals will be much easier to follow and meet if we take the time to write them down and re-visit them monthly. Mark it down on your calendar and make sure to take the time to address these goals each month in 2021. Then in December 2021 we can look to reflect on the year and our goals and set ourselves up for an even better 2022!