Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is therapy to help reduce pain and restore movement and function in individuals dealing with injury, disability, or disease.  Physical therapists work with people of all ages, including newborns, children and adults.  Physical therapists perform a thorough evaluation to determine and individualized treatment plan based on the needs of each patient.  Treatments may include therapeutic exercise to increase range of motion, flexibility, strength and endurance; manual treatments including mobilization and manipulations; functional training; and modalities for treatment of pain inflammation, or edema.

All physical therapists at WinnMed have extensive education and training. Therapists have either a master’s degree (MPT) or a clinical doctorate (DPT). In addition, therapists receive additional training in specialty areas such as

  • Gait and Running Analysis
  • ASTYM
  • Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (McKenzie approach)
  • Mulligan technique
  • Stott Pilates

At WinnMed, physical therapists treat patients with existing conditions and work to prevent their recurrence. Physical therapists can also make recommendations for prevention of work-related injuries, such as proper lifting techniques or appropriate work station set-up. In addition, physical therapists promote health, wellness, and fitness.

WinnMed offers direct access to physical therapy without a doctor’s referral. Call 563-387-3031 to make an appointment.

Orthopedics and Sports Injury Management

Physical Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions and Injuries

WinnMed’s physical therapy team offers therapy for individuals with musculoskeletal and sports related injuries and conditions. Orthopedic physical therapists treat most conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system and a person’s ability to move and/or function in his or her daily, occupational, recreational, and/or sports activities.

Some of the most common conditions and issues that are treated by orthopedic physical therapists include:

  • Lower extremity pain and injuries (hip, knee, ankle, foot)
  • Shoulder pain and injuries
  • Low back pain
  • Mid back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Arthritis
  • Bursitis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Plantar fasciitis

WinnMed has several physical therapists who are Orthopedic Certified Specialists or Sports Certified Specialists.

Physical Therapy After Surgery

After surgery, a physical therapist will often normalize your walking, manage pain and swelling, improve scar tissue mobility regain range of motion, rebuild strength and mobility, and restore balance reactions. Patients often benefit from physical therapy following surgeries such as:

  • Hip replacement
  • Knee replacement
  • Knee arthroscopy
  • Hip arthroscopy
  • Rotator cuff repair
  • Shoulder replacements
  • Various surgeries of the spine, ankle, and foot

Physical Therapy for Sports Injury Management

At WinnMed, we have a passion for working with athletes of all ages and levels. If you are an athlete needing help recovering from an injury or surgery, wanting to prevent injuries, or interested in improving your sports performance, we’ve got you covered.  Many of our therapists have extensive training in sports injury management and keep up to date with the latest research and treatment options to provide the best care for area athletes.  Our therapists are also able to coordinate your return to sport with area athletic trainers and coaches, and also work closely with your medical provider or surgeon.

Vestibular Rehab

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) can help to treat dizziness and balance disorders. There are a variety of disorders and bodily systems that can cause dizziness or difficulties with balance. Most commonly, the inner ear is an area that vestibular rehabilitation can target to help patients return to daily activities without symptoms. There are three primary disorders that can affect the inner ear, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, and vestibular labyrinthitis. Each of these ailments can cause an individual to feel a spinning sensation, lightheadedness, and unsteadiness. VRT can help to resolve these symptoms with use of canalith repositioning, gaze stability exercises, habituation (repetitive) exercises, and balance training.

Dizziness and imbalance can also come from other causes, including stroke, concussion, neck pain, medication side effects, cardiac ailments, and other neurological disorders. A vestibular therapist can assist in evaluating a patient’s symptoms and help to determine whether rehab can be beneficial or if further testing is needed.

Vestibular rehabilitation can help to:

  • Decrease dizziness
  • Improve balance and postural control
  • Improve ability to walk
  • Prevent falls
  • Provide safety recommendations, such as the use of a walking aide
  • Improve quality of life

To learn more about vestibular rehabilitation, call WinnMed Rehab & Sports medicine: 563-387-3031.

Pelvic Health

WinnMed offers pelvic health physical therapy to patients in the region. Physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction is performed by physical therapists with advanced training in the evaluation and treatment of the lumbo-pelvic and pelvic floor regions.

Symptoms/Conditions

Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect both females and males of different ages, and the severity of symptoms can vary as well. Pelvic floor dysfunction often presents differently from person to person; some individuals may experience a few symptoms or even mild symptoms, while others may suffer from multiple or more severe or bothersome symptoms.

Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms often include one or more of the following symptoms or conditions:

  • Stress incontinence (leaking urine with coughing, sneezing, jumping, running, etc.)
  • Incontinence associated with urinary urgency and/or frequency
  • Difficulty initiating urination
  • Pelvic pain
  • Pain with intercourse
  • Vaginismus
  • testicular pain
  • Mild pelvic organ prolapse
  • Pregnancy-related pain, and/or pain in the pelvis, hip, abdomen, low back, or tailbone

Pelvic floor dysfunction is very common. Physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction can often help manage, reduce, or eliminate these symptoms.

Treatment

A musculoskeletal assessment will help to determine a tailored treatment plan for each individual. Treatment may include:

  • A home exercise program for improved coordination and mobility
  • Muscle lengthening and relaxation and/or strengthening
  • Behavioral and activity modifications
  • Patient education
  • Manual therapies
  • Use of bladder and/or diet diary, and/or use of biofeedback

Treatment frequency and duration is individualized for each patient dependent on their symptoms, but often range from weekly appointments to appointments every 2-4 weeks.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Care

Several physical therapists at WinnMed have advanced training and special interest in helping women manage their pain and movement dysfunctions during pregnancy and throughout the postpartum period. Throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, significant hormonal and musculoskeletal changes occur.  These changes can contribute to pelvic girdle movement dysfunctions that may result in:

  • Mid back and low back pain
  • SI (Sacroiliac) joint, hip, groin, or pelvic pain
  • Pubic symphysis pain
  • Tailbone pain
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Diastasis recti, or separation of the abdominal wall muscles which often presents as abdominal coning, doming, or bulging
  • Pain, discomfort, sensitivity, tightness or restriction of Cesarean section scar
  • Pain with intercourse
  • Perineal scar tissue discomfort from vaginal tearing during childbirth
  • Pelvic organ prolapse

WinnMed’s Postpartum and Pregnancy Exercise Specialists can help guide your physical therapy treatment and exercise program. Although these conditions and symptoms are common in pregnancy and postpartum, they can often be improved or managed with physical therapy.

Physical therapists can also help with guiding safe exercise modifications during pregnancy and safe return to running and fitness activities postpartum.

Wound Care

WinnMed staff members are experts in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds including vascular leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, surgical or traumatic ulcers, burns, and pressure ulcers. We utilize state-of-the art wound dressings that help facilitate the healing process. Treatment plans involve not only management of the wound, but also addresses the underlying cause of the wound, such as pressure or edema. We work hard to make sure that your wounds heal quickly and correctly.

Ultrasound Mist Therapy

Ultrasound Mist Therapy is painless, noncontact treatment for any type of open wound. This treatment takes only two and a half minutes to kill more than 80 percent of bacteria on the surface, along with stimulating the cells within and below the wound bed to accelerate the normal healing process. Roughly 47 percent of open wounds heal faster with ultrasound mist therapy versus traditional wound care.

Pediatric Therapy

WinnMed’s pediatric physical therapists serve infants, children, and young adults who may have the following conditions:

  • Coordination issues
  • Delay in achieving age-appropriate developmental milestones
  • Orthopedic conditions or injuries
  • Infants with torticollis and/or plagiocephaly
  • Functional limitations related to balance, walking, or gross motor coordination
  • Changes in physical function and/or health status resulting from injury, disease, or surgery
  • Neurological, congenital, or genetic diagnoses including but not limited to cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Down Syndrome
  • Lower Extremity Pain

Runner's Analysis

If you are having pain while running or want to improve your performance, WMC offers a comprehensive runner’s analysis.  This assessment will look at:

  • running form and biomechanics
  • flexibility, strength, and stability deficits
  • any current injuries or pain limiting your running

Your running form is captured on video from several angles and is analyzed by one of our Physical Therapists that have a special interest in runners.  They will help you identify any biomechanical abnormalities and show you how to correct these issues, whether it be by improving your form, instructing you on corrective exercises, educating you on training modifications, or giving you advice on footwear.

The cost of this assessment is $75.

Your Appointment

Patients can be seen by WinnMed Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine physical therapists by making a direct appointment or through a doctor’s referral. Call 563-387-3031 to schedule.

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