PHYSICAL THERAPY & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY-HAND THERAPY AT MISSOULA BONE & JOINT

Physical therapy is the most critical aspect of recovery and return to sport after injuring an ACL.

Whether you have undergone surgical repair of your ACL or you are taking a non-surgical approach, your rehab program will be the key to your recovery and return to activity.

Our expert clinicians have years of experience treating patients recovering from ACL tears and have a comprehensive program to get you back to the activities you enjoy. Our 26-week program is customized to meet your specific individual needs for a total body recovery.

Trauma, surgery, or overuse injuries can create scarring, fibrosis, or improper healing of soft tissues that can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.

Therapists certified in ASTYM ™ and IASTYM™ provide this service at Missoula Bone & Joint Physical Therapy.  It can help reduce pain and pressure over tendons, and improve scarring and soft tissue mobility to treat chronic tendonitis, repetitive overuse conditions, sprains, strains, and a variety of other diagnoses.

With a specific treatment regimen supported by clinical research and years of outcomes studies,  a course averaging 8-12 sessions helps most people see improvements and return to activities with less pain and restored movement.

At Missoula Bone & Joint, licensed athletic trainers support local and regional high schools. They also support MHSA-directed public and private secondary schools, youth sporting events, Missoula Marathon, rodeos, tournaments, and Special Olympics in the Missoula area.

Missoula Bone & Joint athletic trainers work with our physicians and other healthcare professionals to optimize activity and participation of athletes and patients of all ages and experience levels. Learn more about our athletic training program.

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a technique used in rehabilitation as a way to decrease the amount of stress placed on joints without compromising strength gains.  This is typically performed using pressure cuffs around a limb to reduce, but not completely occlude, blood flow.  BFR is especially helpful after operation (such as ACL reconstruction), after injury, or for those who can’t tolerate heavier loads (such as with osteoarthritis).  In these individuals, BFR provides a means to accelerate recovery and prevent muscle wasting from disuse.  The overall goal of BFR is to achieve the benefits of high intensity training while only using lower intensity exercise.

Dry needling (DN) is a skilled intervention used by physical therapists that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. A trigger point describes a taut band of skeletal muscle located within a larger muscle group. Trigger points can be tender to the touch and can refer pain to distant parts of the body. Physical therapists utilize dry needling with the goal of releasing/inactivating the trigger points and relieving pain. Preliminary research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, normalizes biochemical and electrical dysfunction of motor endplates, and facilitates an accelerated return to active rehabilitation. If you think you may benefit from dry needling, please ask your physical therapist. cited: http://www.apta.org/StateIssues/DryNeedling/ResourcePaper/

A Fall Prevention Exercise Program is an individually tailored, home-based program focusing on strength training, balance retraining and walking that is evidence based to reduce the risk of falls in older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall. Our therapist can assess your risk of falling and create a customized plan designed to reduce the risk of falls and fall related injuries.

At Missoula Bone & Joint Physical Therapy, we strive to provide exceptional orthopedic care. We pride ourselves in the fact that we specialize in treating orthopedic conditions that limits people from performing their daily tasks or achieving their personal goals.

Our therapists utilize a comprehensive approach to evaluate the body that allows us to create an individualized plan of care for each patient. Your plan of care may include restoring range of motion, improving strength, normalizing muscle imbalances, restoring joint and soft tissue mobility, training in proper body mechanics, gait and balance training, and patient education. Our number one goal is to get you feeling and moving better.

We specialize in many different areas and conditions including, but not limited to:

Non-surgical

• Sprains
• Strains
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Foot & ankle pain
• Hip pain

Pre- and post-operative

• ACL reconstruction
• Meniscectomy
• MPFL reconstruction
• Rotator cuff repair
• Hip labral repair
• Shoulder labral repair

Hand therapy is a specialty practice in orthopedics that focuses not only on the hand but can include the entire upper extremity. The overall goal of hand therapy is to restore as much return of hand/arm use as possible given the patient’s particular condition.

The discipline is practiced by occupational and physical therapists. After treating hand and upper extremity injuries for a minimum of 2000 hours, a therapist is eligible to sit for the hand therapy certification exam, and upon successfully passing the exam, will have the designation of being Board Certified and a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT.)

CHTs cover a wide variety of orthopedic conditions that can include traumatic injuries and chronic painful conditions, such as joint replacement, tendon/nerve repair, fracture stabilization and amputation, as well as soft tissue trauma. Treatment of these post-op conditions will often require fabrication of a custom orthosis (splint) to stabilize and protect the area during healing.

CHTs also treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis of the digits, wrist and elbow, inflammatory arthritis, sprains and instability of joints.

If you find yourself requiring the services of a CHT, it will most likely be as a referral from a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. The experience will start with a one-on-one interview as part of a comprehensive evaluation for the purpose of putting together a treatment plan. During the evaluation, the CHT may take measurements of movement, strength, swelling, sensory and identify the various symptoms related to your condition.

During your initial visit, you will receive a detailed home exercise program that is designed to advance range of motion and strength, decrease swelling, address scar tissue and manage pain. The therapist/patient experience is a collaborative one, involving discussion about activities, level of hand use, concerns and your goals. There is also ongoing communication with your referring doctor.

Kristin Biggins is an Occupational Therapist and her passion lies in connecting with her patients, educating them about their diagnoses, and assisting them in getting back to the activities that they love through occupation-based interventions. She has had a focused career as a certified hand therapist treating a wide variety of upper extremity diagnoses including orthopedic, trauma related, management of the arthritic hand, overuse syndromes, and neurological disorders.

Theresa Brooke is an Occupational Therapist and she treats a wide variety of upper extremity injuries and enjoys getting to meet so many wonderful people, from all walks of life. Her main goal is to educate her patients and guide them through the recovery process so they can be independent in their home and work life.

We offer multiple styles and varieties of taping techniques including the use of the Kinesiotape method. Kinesiotaping was developed to promote the body’s natural healing process as well as to support and facilitate joint, muscle, and tendon function.

It is effective for inflammatory conditions, neurological and orthopedic sports injuries, and can be used by patients of all ages.

Research supports Kinesiotaping in conjunction with other physical therapy treatments to promote return to function.

People living with Parkinson’s Disease, PD, or other neurological conditions often move differently, with gestures and actions that become smaller and slower. They may have trouble with getting around, getting dressed and with other activities of daily living. BIG® therapy effectively trains improved movements for any activity, whether “small motor” tasks like buttoning a shirt or “large motor” tasks like getting up from sofa or chair or maintaining balance while walking. The treatment improves walking, self-care and other tasks by helping people “recalibrate” how they perceive their movements with what others actually see. It also teaches them how and when to apply extra effort to produce bigger motions – more like the movements of everyone around them. Therapy is customized to each person’s specific needs and goals, so it can help regardless of the stage or severity of your condition.

At Missoula Bone & Joint Physical Therapy we offer pediatric services for a broad range of conditions and injuries. Our Physical Therapist aims to restore function in children and help them return to sports and daily activities, as well as assist parents/coaches/caregivers in their rehabilitation endeavors.

A skilled individualized evaluation and assessment will be performed and a comprehensive treatment plan will be devised to fit the child and family’s needs. Patients range in age from infants to 18 years.

There are unique physical health concerns for men and women ranging from pelvic floor, to prenatal, and post-partum issues. Women and men of all ages and all activity levels can experience conditions related to these health concerns that are painful or disruptive.

Pelvic floor therapy can help you address your concerns and guide you through a conservative program. Every appointment is designed to discuss your needs and your concerns in a safe and welcoming environment.

If you answer YES to any of the items listed below, WE CAN HELP!

Pelvic Health Therapy can help with any of the following symptoms:
• Incontinence or leaking during activity (i.e. running, jumping, squatting, lunging)
• Heaviness or ‘dragging’ sensations in the perineum with activity or prolonged standing
• Pain with insertion of a tampon or gynecological exams
• Issues following a cough or sneeze, requiring a change of under garments
• Abdominal pains or discomfort due to surgical incisions
• Difficulty controlling gas or fecal urgency
• Incontinence following prostatectomy
• C-section or episiotomy scar pain

Are you tired of chasing pain, having symptoms go away only to return in the same or new location? Postural Restoration® is a form of physical therapy taught by the Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) that analyzes body position, movement and breathing pattern. It is a holistic approach that identifies postural asymmetries and compensatory movement patterns that can often be the underlying cause of persistent pain and dysfunction.

This  approach utilizes specific exercises and manual techniques to correct body position and restore normal movement, allowing for pain-free function.

Strength and stability throughout critical areas of the body are shown to reduce risk for injuries and enhance sports performance. As a supplement to your rehabilitation program, clinicians at Missoula Bone & Joint Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine are prepared to tailor your training specifically to the demands of your sport.

With certifications as Strength and Conditioning Specialists, our practitioners can develop a functional training program to facilitate your smooth transition back to high-level athletics with confidence to ensure that you reach your goals and full potential.

Whether you are an athlete in hopes of returning to a sport or a weekend warrior wanting to participate in your hobbies and activities, it is important to make sure you have someone with the knowledge and understanding of rehabilitation for return to play. Our expert clinicians not only assess the surgical repair or injury itself, we also take a full-body approach to treat any areas that may prevent future injuries from occurring.

Our physical therapists have advanced training in multiple areas of sports medicine rehabilitation, including strength and conditioning (CSCS®, or certified strength and conditioning specialist) and Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS).

With this training, our expert physical therapists are able to provide individualized, research-driven programs with specific return to play criteria to make sure you are ready and safe to return to your sport or favorite hobbies.

Temporal Mandibular (Jaw) Dysfunction (TMD) can be a source of jaw pain, headaches, and neck pain. Physical therapy to address this joint uses exercises and manual techniques to improve jaw position, motion, and surrounding muscle tone.

Missoula Bone and Joint’s physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are eager to assist in your joint replacement recovery and to help navigate post-surgical challenges. We implement evidence-based therapy interventions in each treatment session with a focus on restoring ROM, improving strength, decreasing fall risk, normalizing gait pattern, controlling swelling, and decreasing pain. Our ultimate goal for you is to safely return to your daily activities and recreational activities including but not limited to hiking, biking, golfing, and gardening. Our team specializes in all areas of total joint rehabilitation including knees, hips, shoulders and ankles.

The Missoula Bone and Joint ambulatory surgery center is staffed with a mobility coach that is a physical therapist assistant or physical therapist. The mobility coach will work with you during your 23 hour stay in order to be safely discharged home as soon as possible. They will ensure that you are safe with mobility prior to leaving including walking, stairs and transferring in/out of your car.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate problems caused by vestibular disorders, primarily vertigo and dizziness, gaze instability, and/or imbalance and falls. A customized exercise plan is developed from the findings of the clinical assessment and input from patients. Treatments may include in-clinic and home exercises, such as repositioning maneuvers. Results vary depending on the severity; issues may be resolved in 2-3 visits, or you may need weekly therapy for 6-8 weeks.