Education

Published Articles

  • Do you have neck pain?

    Problems with the neck, or cervical spine, can cause a variety of impairments including neck pain, arm pain, neurological symptoms in the arm, shoulder blade pain, and headaches. The cervical spine is comprised of seven vertebrae. The cervical spine is connected to the skull superiorly,

  • What is the Rotator Cuff?

    The rotator cuff is frequently injured when the task performed with the arm requires greater strength than the rotator cuff strength has. There will often be pain in the lateral (outside) part of the upper arm after a rotator cuff injury. Normally there is nothing wrong with your deltoid muscle;

  • Tweak Your Knee?

    What does it mean to “tweak” your knee? It usually means you stressed some soft tissue, such as a muscle, tendon, or ligament, which surrounds your knee joint. If the incident was major, it is always a good idea to get imaging to rule out a fracture. If the incident was not major, most often the body

  • ACL Prevention: Programs for Athletes

    Ankle sprains & ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) knee injuries are two of the most common athletic injuries. Ankle sprains typically heal without surgery, while the majority of ACL injuries require surgery. Neuromuscular training is the only thing proven to decrease the risk of ACL injuries.

  • Physical Therapy for Equestrian Athletes

    If you are looking to improve your riding or return to riding following injury, physical therapy with a physical therapist focused on equestrian performance is the right choice for you. A physical therapy evaluation for equestrians examines hip mobility, core strength, hip strength, and a …

  • Speech Therapy has Far-Reaching Benefits

    Speech therapy provides positive outcomes including improved social interactions, enhanced academic and work performance, and heightened self-esteem, leading to an overall better quality of life. Laura Pearce, an experienced speech therapist at Whitefish Therapy & Sport Center.

  • Back Pain? Physical Therapy Can Help

    If you have back pain, you are not alone! Did you know that approximately 80% of adults will have back pain in their lifetime? Significant research has been done in response to the prevalence of back pain and persistent back injuries, and the research has increased understanding of why your back hurts.

  • Do you have ankle pain or an ankle sprain?

    Having strong ankles is important for many activities in reducing your risk of rolling your ankle. When you experience that sharp, sudden pain and are limping to your next activity, have you considered the mechanics that contribute to a sprained ankle? .

  • Is Pain or Instability Holding You Back From Playing?

    Physical therapy provided by a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified medical specialist can tailor a specific program to improve your body mechanics and thus decrease pain and risk for injury specific to golf.

  •  Speech Therapy: Setting Up a Summer of Success

    Speech Therapy: Setting Up a Summer of Success

    While summer break means extra time for fun for kids, it is important for children to maintain all the progress they made during the school year. If your child needs extra help with speech, language or reading, it may be wise to get them set up with summer services early.

  • Why would a child have Occupational Therapy?

    Occupational Therapists use play as a means of intervention with children who may not be meeting their expected developmental milestones. The overall goal of occupational therapy is to help each child participate fully in the everyday activities of their lives.

  • Shoulder Pain Relief!

    PTs, experts in the field of manual therapy and exercise prescription, are well-positioned to assist patients with rotator cuff tears to decrease pain and restore function. Overall, physical therapy is often the first step to take in obtaining a healthy, functioning shoulder.

  • Physical Therapists are Orthopedic Specialists… !

    Physical therapists (PTs) are musculoskeletal and movement experts. Today’s PTs have more tools in their tool kit than ever before to help you recover from an injury, find relief from nagging pain, and prehab and rehabilitate after surgery. 

  • Do you know if you had a Concussion?

    You do not have to hit your head to experience a concussion. Even a quick slip that does not result in a fall can cause concussion symptoms. There can also be a delay between the injury event and onset of symptoms, sometimes even days can go by before symptoms start.

  • Importance Of Stretching

    Do you wonder if you should stretch before, during, or after activity? Are you confused as to whether you should be holding stretches for shorter, more frequent holds or longer, fewer holds? Wondering about all the different terminology you hear regarding stretching?

  • How can a Physical Therapy Assistant help you?

    PTAs are movement specialists who assist physical therapists (PTs) in treating patients with a variety of ailments. After a PT has evaluated a patient and has identified what course of treatment they need to get better, it is a PTAs job to help the PT in carrying out treatment.

  • Headaches Are A Pain In The Neck !

    If you suffer from headaches, chances are you’ve already tried different techniques to treat your problem. We offer a specialized headache program that has a proven success record for patients who follow-through with the recommended protocols. To learn more about our program continue reading.

  • Do you have concerns about your child's development? FREE Virtual Screenings for Speech & Language

    Our screening consists of direct observation and parent/guardian interviews, and will provide caregivers with a checklist of your child's skills in comparison to same-aged peers.

  • Protect your Body as you Care for your Garden!

    We are fortunate to live in the Flathead Valley, an area that is conducive for gardening. Whether you are growing your own food, tending to a large flower garden, or are landscaping as a profession, the tasks and demands on the body may predispose you to or exacerbate existing conditions.

  • Enhance your Running Performance !

    Running season is upon us! Heading out for a run can be fun & good exercise for all ages and abilities. Running may seem like second nature and an activity that does not require much thought or training; however, to go the distance and to do so without pain, requires strength, coordination, and flexibility.

  • Improve your golf game while also taking care of your body!

    The most common golf injuries in order of prevalence according to Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) research are low back, shoulders, knees, hips, wrists, ankles, and elbows. Estimates suggest that more than 50% of golfers will develop chronic injuries, with the top five most common reasons for injury in order of prevalence being:

  • Speech Therapy- So Much More Than Words!!

    What comes to mind when you think of speech therapy? Do you picture a young child being taught how to pronounce words? Speech therapy is much more than helping people pronounce words; it allows people to live their best and most productive lives. How?...

  • What Is An Occupational Therapist?

    Occupational Therapists specialize in what we call “skills for the job of living”: This is broad ranging and can include helping patients regain skills used in daily life from dressing & bathing to cooking, cleaning, and managing medications and finances. OTs also work with children with developmental delays.

  • Tweaked Knee or Bum Shoulder?

    As a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Physical Therapist, I focus on treating the body’s joints. I am especially proficient with knee and shoulder ailments. To get the most out of rehab following surgeries, patients are often challenged to the edge of their ability to ensure minimization of re-injury risk.

  • Physical therapists can treat that?

    Physical therapists can effectively treat a wide variety of issues: The field of physical therapy is constantly evolving, and today’s physical therapists are trained to treat issues such as headaches, TMJ, vestibular & concussion issues, lymphedema, neurological problems, and complex orthopedics.

  • Don’t live your life feeling DIZZY or UNBALANCED!

    VRT is a specialized type of physical therapy designed to reduce or eliminate symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, and motion-related disequilibrium. These symptoms can be caused by conditions of the inner ear and from injuries to the head and neck, such as concussions or whiplash.

  • Physical Therapy for Orthopedic Knee Injuries: Why It's Important for Recovery!

    Physical Therapy (PT) is crucial for orthopedic knee injuries because it plays a vital role in the recovery process, helping to restore function, reduce pain, and improve overall mobility. Whether you're recovering from knee surgery, a ligament tear, physical therapy should be part of your treatment plan.