WILLOW CREEK & VICTOR

Physical Therapy

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

At Willow Creek and Victor Physical Therapy we provide proven services to fit your needs. From sports performance enhancement to more advanced therapies we are commited to helping you achieve your goals.

 

WE SPECIALIZE IN THESE THERAPIES

 

• Sports Performance Enhancement

• Low back pain

• Neck pain

• Athletic injuries

• Orthopedic injuries

• Gait and Balance Problems

• Headaches/Migraines

• Dizziness

• Aquatic Therapy

• Neurological rehabilitation

• Wellness program

• Joint replacement

• Incontinence/Pelvic floor dysfunction

• Only certified ASTYM provider in the Bitterroot Valley south of Florence

• Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE's)

• Work Hardening/Work Conditioning

 

PLEASE CLICK ON THE HEADINGS BELOW TO EXPAND (AND COLLAPSE) FOR MORE INFORMATION.

 

  ​TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ)ABOUT  We employ the only certified Cranial Facial Specialist in the State of Montana, specializing in advanced treatment of the TMJ and Cervical Spine.  It is estimated that 1 in every 3 people suffer from one or more of these TMJ symptoms:  • Headaches (chronic or migraine)• Earaches, congestion or ringing ears• Clicking, popping or grating sound in the jaw joints• Limited jaw opening or locking• Dizziness• Pain when chewing• Facial Pain• Neck and or throat pain• Difficulty in closing teeth together• Tired Jaw    CAUSES  The two temporomandibular joints (TMJ's) are located on each side of the head in front of the ears. They attach the mandible (lower jaw) to the skull.  Muscles and ligaments attach both the bones and joints to allow movement.  Each joint has a small disc which enables smooth movement of the jaw when chewing, talking, shouting, singing or yawning. A malfunction of one or both of these jaw joints can be caused by trauma, whiplash, malocclusion (bad bite), poor posture, bruxism (teeth grinding), clenching or skeletal malformation.   Any malfunction prevents the complex system of muscles, bones and joints from working together in harmony.  The result is TMJ disorder.  The jaw joint is like any other joint in the body.  In actuality, TMJ disorder is an orthopedic problem.VERTIGO, BPPV, & VESTIBULAR DISORDERSSYMPTOMS  • Vertigo: Spinning dizziness, which must have a rotational component. • Short duration (Paroxysmal): Lasts only seconds to minutes • Positional in onset: Can only be induced by a change in position. • Nausea is often associated • Visual disturbance: It may be difficult to read or see during an attack due to the associated nystagmus. • Pre-Syncope (feeling faint) or Syncope (fainting) is unusual. • Emesis (Vomiting) is uncommon but possible.  We provide testing and correction of BPPV (displacement of the crystals in your ears), therapeutic techniques to decrease dizziness, rehabilitation of balance disorders, and fall prevention.AUGMENTED SOFT TISSUE MANIPULATIONASTYM (PRONOUNCED “A-STIM”)  We are the only certified ASTYM provider in the Bitterroot Valley south of Florence providing this proven procedure. ASTYM treatment is a rehabilitation program that stimulates the regenerative healing process of the body. This approach is a non-invasive therapy that works fast and consistently. The ASTYM system rejuvenates muscles, tendons and ligaments. It gets rid of scar tissue problems from old injuries in a fashion previously unimaginable. We have the scientific background, data and experience that proves it.  Please visit www.astym.com for more information.AQUATIC THERAPY ATBITTERROOT AQUATIC CENTERAQUATIC THERAPY ATBITTERROOT AQUATIC CENTER  Aquatic therapy or pool therapy consists of an exercise program that is performed in the water. It is a beneficial form of therapy that is useful for a variety of medical conditions. Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance.   We get in the water with our patient’s which is vital to ensuring success!  One benefit of aquatic therapy is the buoyancy provided by the water. While submerged in water, buoyancy assists in supporting the weight of the patient. This decreases the amount of weight bearing which reduces the force of stress placed on the joints. This aspect of aquatic therapy is especially useful for patients with arthritis, healing fractured bones, or who are overweight. By decreasing the amount of joint stress it is easier and less painful to perform exercises. It can also be a good progression from partial to full weight bearing post injury!  The viscosity of water provides an excellent source of resistance. This resistance allows for muscle strengthening without the need of weights. Using resistance coupled with the water’s buoyancy allows a person to strengthen muscle groups with decreased joint stress that can not be experienced on land.   Aquatic therapy also utilizes hydrostatic pressure to decrease swelling and improve joint position awareness. As a result, patient proprioception (sense of how your limbs are oriented in space) is improved - this is important for patients who have experienced joint sprains, surgical repairs, or other injuries.  Decreasing swelling is important post injury or for arthritic joints.MANUAL THERAPYABOUT  Manual Therapy interventions focusing on hands-on, direct contact therapy. All of our therapists use a manual hands-on approach to treatment and owner Jeff Humphrey is Manual Therapy Certified (MTC).  Manual therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy delivered with the hands as opposed to a device or machine. This involves joint mobilizations, joint manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, or mobilization of neural tissue among others.    Manual therapy is used to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain; increasing range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability; facilitating movement; and improving function.SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY& STRENGTH TRAININGABOUT  We employ two Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialists.  They apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. They conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention.  Our employees also use taping techniques to help stabilize joints if needed and can help with brace fitting and ordering.  We welcome athletes of any age from any athletic background and will personalize a plan for you.  We incorporate: plyometrics, agility and speed training, strength training, flexibility, and balance depending on your weaknesses and sport specific needs!COREALIGN TRAININGCOREALIGN TRAINING  New Pilates-based apparatus that has been effective in functional rehabilitation of all diagnoses. The CoreAlign emphasizes upright posture and is designed to improve posture, balance, and functional movements.    The CoreAlign’s frame encloses two tracks and carts, which move independently with smooth resistance (or assistance) created by six elastic resistance tube assemblies on each cart. Resistance/assistance is possible in one or both directions. Extraordinary versatility – hundreds of functional movement exercises!   We have had wild success and fun with patients of all ages!  Please visit www.pilates.com for more information.