How can a Physical Therapy Assistant help you?

When I tell people that I am a physical therapist assistant (PTA) people often ask what that means. 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. We help to develop home exercise programs, develop and progress gym-based strength and mobility programs, perform soft tissue mobilization or other manual interventions, and teach patients strategies to improve movement quality and to decrease pain. We are there to be another set of eyes and hands to help you on the path to healing.

I decided to study to be a physical therapist assistant after needing physical therapy myself. In my early 20’s, I suffered a low back injury and was not recovering as quickly as I thought I should. I decided to try a course of PT, and with the help of my PT and PTA I was able to get back on my feet rather quickly. That is when I realized how powerful PT can be and decided to pursue physical therapy as a career. 

Since graduating from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Laramie County Community College in 2010, I have enjoyed practicing physical therapy focusing on orthopedic conditions of all types, including spine care, persistent pain, post-surgical rehabilitation, and rehab for overuse or traumatic injury. I have post-graduate training in manual techniques to promote joint and tissue mobility, spinal stabilization and mobility exercise, and motor retraining. 

I have found that a balanced approach of manual intervention, strength and mobility exercise, and motor control retraining can be a powerful tool to help improve the way a body moves, feels, and functions. If pain, weakness, stiffness, or imbalance is limiting you, call us to find out if a course of physical therapy can help.