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Knowledge has the power to transform how you look at a problem and empower you to take control of your pain and improve your functional limitations. At Therapy Works our physical therapists are experts in musculoskeletal care and will provide you with up-to-date information. Sometimes the problem is a straightforward mechanical issue, and sometimes it’s a bit more complicated. In addition to understanding the physical aspects of your pain, we will teach you about the science behind how a hyper-sensitized nervous system, stress, lifestyle habits, and past trauma can all contribute to a vicious cycle of persistent pain. From there we will collaborate with you on a graded path forward to reach your movement goals. If necessary, that may include an interdisciplinary approach with other great specialists in our community.

There are a lot of ways our physical therapists can decrease your pain and improve your motion. Manual therapy is a blanket term that describes a number of different techniques that the physical therapist “manually” performs to affect the joints, muscle/facial, and nervous system of your body. Most of these techniques work by providing a “reset” to your nervous system which reduces pain and improves one’s willingness to move. Our physical therapists are trained in techniques including joint mobilization/manipulation, Strain-Counterstrain, Mulligan/Mobilization with Movement, Craniosacral, visceral mobilization, Muscle Energy Techniques, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), soft tissue mobilization, deep tissue mobilization, orthopedic cupping, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and more. Our front office staff is great at pairing you with the right therapist for your needs.

Think of MDT as a way to improve pain and motion… but without the main treatments coming from a physical therapist’s manual techniques. Instead, the physical therapist does a careful examination and testing that determines the most effective direction that a person should move, and then educates the patient and instructs them to perform specific self-mobilizations multiple times a day. Manual techniques are used if needed and as a progression. When appropriate MDT can lead to quick-acting results that empower the patient to be able to self-treat their issue now and into the future.

There is no one perfect way to move. However, many people have postural and movement habits that put unnecessary stress on their bodies. In addition, sometimes the things our bodies do to avoid pain can actually lead to inefficient and guarded patterns, patterns that can perpetuate painful states. Whether your offending movement is sitting, standing, hiking downhill, running, lifting, or sports or work-related, our physical therapists can help you find a way to make it less painful and more efficient.

Injuries weaken us in a few different ways. One way is that we simply stop moving as much as we normally do and therefore become deconditioned. Another way is that pain and swelling can actually “inhibit” normal muscle function, essentially “turning off” the muscles we need to help us move efficiently and pain free. Finally, weakened and over-strained tissue can itself be the generator of one’s pain. In this case the tissue needs a progressive loading routine to return to normal function. We skillfully identify where your deficit lie and develop a graded strength and conditioning program in order to achieve your goals.

Aquatic therapy is a wonderful option when exercising on land is too difficult. The buoyancy of the water helps relieve pressure on painful joints, and the hydrostatic pressure can improve swelling and joint position awareness. This makes it a great steppingstone to land-based movement for people with arthritis, chronic pain, post-operative needs, neurological conditions, or for the treatment of motor vehicle injuries. Our specially trained aquatic physical therapists will meet you at The Bend Golf Club where we utilize their quiet and heated indoor saltwater pool. This personalized one-on-one approach will improve your mobility, strength and conditioning, and help you transition to a group aquatic class, or return to your normal life on land.

Is the room spinning? Our physical therapists can help! One of the most common causes of dizziness is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV. In this condition the vestibular system malfunctions due to particles (called otoconia) that have lodged in the canals of the inner ear. Few experiences can be as suddenly debilitating. Luckily, with the correct treatment, few conditions can be as quickly and dramatically resolved. Other causes of dizziness may include those coming from your neck/cervical spine, poor communication of your vestibular, oculomotor and proprioception systems, or other causes that need to be ruled out. Our physical therapists are skilled in determining and treating the causes of dizziness.

The symptoms of concussion vary from person to person and can include headaches, light and noise sensitivity, visual disturbance, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, mental “fog”, sleep disturbances, and depression, among others. For most people these symptoms will self-resolve within 2 weeks or so. If not, however, further treatment may be necessary. Physical therapy is an excellent part of a comprehensive team approach to return you to full function. We work closely with MDs/DOs, neuro-optometrists, speech therapists, cognitive therapists, and counselors as needed. Physical therapy can help determine if there is a cervical contribution to your symptoms and find ways to help regulate your jostled nervous system to help improve relaxation. We can help coordinate and re-integrate your different body systems, which may not be adequately communicating with each other. Another treatment may be grading up your cardiovascular training, guided by your physical therapist, which can improve much-needed blood flow to the brain for healing.

Did you know that one of the main causes of balance problems and falling is often an underlying strength issue? Grading up your strength is just one of the many ways that we can help you prevent future falls and better your balance. Fear of falling often leads to decreased activity, which then perpetuates the weakness and increases the risk of future falls. Our physical therapists will also help determine if there are other potential primary causes such as issues related to vision, your vestibular or proprioceptive systems. The proprioceptive system involves the communication between the nervous system and the sensors of your muscles, tendons and joints that give you a sense of where your body is in space, and help you react quickly to different situations. By training to improve these potential deficits people find their confidence improving and an expanded ability to do more with their lives.

Lymphedema is generally defined as swelling in the head, neck, abdomen, and/or limbs that typically occurs as a primary diagnosis (at birth) or a secondary diagnosis. As a secondary diagnosis the swelling can occur after cancer resection, radiation, orthopedic/plastic surgery, or injury (any diagnosis that would affect one’s lymphatic/immune system). Lymphedema therapy is a type of treatment that helps manage swelling caused by a build-up of lymphatic fluid in the body’s tissues. The therapy typically involves a combination of manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, exercise, and skin care. Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that stimulates the lymphatic system to promote the flow of lymphatic fluid. Compression therapy involves the use of bandages or specialized garments to apply pressure to the affected area and reduce swelling. Exercise, particularly low-impact activities like walking or swimming, can also help stimulate the lymphatic system and improve lymph flow. Lymphedema therapy is typically performed by a certified lymphedema therapist and can be an effective way to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for individuals with lymphedema.

Non-contact adaptive boxing is a modified and inclusive form of boxing designed to promote functional mobility and stability in individuals who may have physical or cognitive disabilities. It involves safe participation using protective gloves to make contact with focus mits from various angles, along with movements of the head, trunk, and extremities. These dynamic movements challenge an individual’s balance and coordination, while promoting motor planning, sequencing, dynamic stability, and ability to react to varied external stimuli. It can be performed while sitting or standing, with individuals of all ages and abilities, promoting a unique way to specifically challenge cardiovascular health, cognition, and timing, all while promoting confidence and reducing stress through a fun new skill.