We believe that when given the proper attention and the right environment, the body may begin to heal itself.

Back & Neck Pain Pre and Post Surgical Rehab Orthopedic & Spinal Rehab Joint Injuries Joint Pain Vestibular & Balance problems Headaches Sports Injuries Repetitive Use Injuries Chronic Pain Evaluation & Management Myofascial Pain Syndrome Work Injury Recovery Electrical Stimulation Ultrasound Traction Devices

Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Manual therapy process that requires the client to actively contract their muscles against a therapist-applied counter-force. Depending on how it is used, this technique can be used to stretch muscles, strengthen muscles, decrease swelling, or restore motion to various joints throughout the body. One of the many benefits is that the client controls the intensity by altering the strength and duration of the contraction.

 

Direct Joint Mobilization: Articulatory procedure that utilizes a repetitively applied force to a joint. There are five different grades of force used during mobilizations, with a lower amount of force used to modulate pain and a greater amount of force used to increase motion at the targeted joint. A grade five mobilization is also referred to as a high velocity, low amplitude thrust.

 

High Velocity, Low Amplitude Thrust (HVLA): A manual technique in which the therapist applies a quick but small (low amplitude) force against a barrier of motion. Care is taken to localize motion to a specific segment or joint, and then provide the manipulating force in a precise direction, minimizing the need for excessive force. The goal is to increase range of motion and normal joint mechanics to a particularly restricted joint, thereby reducing pain and restoring function.

 

Functional Indirect Technique(Find): A manual technique in which the therapist moves the segment away from the restrictive barrier into the range of "freedom" or "ease" of movement. This point of balanced tension is held for 5-90 seconds, allowing the body's neurological system to "re-boot" facilitating relaxed tension in the tissues around the joints. This helps to increase range of motion and improves joint function. This technique is closely related to and sometimes referred to as "Functional Technique", "Strain Counter-Strain," "Positional Release" or "Neuromuscular Release," all of which are in the same family of treatment techniques.

Therapeutic Massage: is the application of pressure and movement to soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, muscle spasm, stress, promote the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid, and restore proper muscle length.

 

Myofascial Release: uses gentle, manual stretching to gradually soften, lengthen and realign the fascia. Fascia is the fibrous bands of connective tissue that encase the muscles throughout the body.

 

Trigger Point Release: is the placement of direct pressure over the trigger point to relax the muscle by interfering with the pain/spasm cycle in the muscle and restoring its proper muscle length and/or tissue pliability. Trigger points are hyper-irritable spots in the muscle and refer pain to specific areas of the body.

The Pilates Exercise Method is a collection of techniques developed by Joseph Pilates, who was determined to overcome his physical disabilities and become a fit and healthy individual.  The Pilates method promotes excellent mind-body connection, making it ideal for rehabilitation and retraining of imbalanced muscles.  Proper length and strength relationships of muscles throughout the body are restored.

 

Many people use Pilates Mat exercises utilizing videos or classes at athletic clubs.  However, Joseph Pilates observed that most people do not have adequate core strength to perform most mat exercises correctly.  Therefore, he developed specialized equipment to help teach people how to recruit the correct muscles initially, and then they can progress safely to mat work.  Optimum Therapies offers all of the Pilates equipment necessary to effectively rehabilitate a variety of injuries and postural deviations from normal and progress you to home mat exercises. 

Key Principles Include:

• controlled breathing
• centering (all movement comes from a strong, central "core")
• control & coordination
• precision movement
• relaxation & alignment
• motivation & visualization

 

Aquatic Therapy is physical therapy conducted in the water. This environment offers clients additional versatility to their rehabilitation program.  A water environment provides special accommodations that land-based therapies fail to achieve for specific situations, such as decreased weight-bearing on arthritic joints.

 

Therapy is held in a 4-9 foot deep pool and is heated between 84-90 degrees.  Benefits to patients include reduction in weight bearing during exercise, improved motion, reduced stress to the joint, improved circulation and relaxation.

 

Chronic Pain is an illness in its own right.  It has its own signs, symptoms, complications and is associated with abnormal sensory processing.  It has biological, emotional, psychosocial, and physical dimensions.  Because it is so complex, it is often poorly understood and poorly managed.

 

Management, not cure, is key.  Chronic pain is something that no health care provider can "fix" for a patient.  Someone suffering from chronic pain needs to take the information learned from their physicians, therapists and other health care providers and faithfully apply this knowledge for the management of their condition.

 

The role of a physical therapist is to educate, promote ongoing pain management, and to provide crisis management for those times when a client is unable to manage on their own.

 

At Optimum Therapies, we strive to be sensitive to the complex needs of those with chronic pain.  We work closely with other providers and disciplines such as the Omne Clinic, Pain Clinic of Northwestern Wisconsin and many others to provide the most comprehensive care possible.  We communicate regularly with referring physicians and utilize many of the manual and exercise techniques described on this site to facilitate as much pain reduction and management as possible for all patients struggling with chronic pain.

 

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Have you had an episode of dizziness or had the feeling your balance wasn’t quite right?  Oftentimes, these episodes lead to decreased activity and impaired quality of life.

The National Institute of Health reports 85% of all equilibrium impairments are directly linked to inner ear disorders.  Other causes of dizziness and balance problems include stroke, vascular insufficiency, age-related multi-sensory deficits, and head trauma.  Physical therapy can help restore balance and function for many of these individuals.

 

In a properly functioning system, the right and left vestibular organs (located in the  inner ear) work together in a push-pull  fashion.  To maintain equilibrium, it is essential these two organs maintain an equal amount of activity (push-pull).  If a change in the function of one of these organs occurs, we experience a turning or spinning motion called dizziness or vertigo.

Through vestibular rehabilitation therapy, connections within the brain are re-programmed to account for impairments.

• Canalith Repositioning Maneuver

The classic symptom is vertigo, or the illusion of a spinning sensation.  The most common triggers for a person suffering from vertigo may include rolling over in bed, bending over to pick something up, or quickly looking over a shoulder.  This situation can be treated effectively by a physical therapist using a gentle particle repositioning maneuver.

• Balance Retraining

Not all individuals with balance problems have dizziness or vertigo. Treatment may consist of a combination of strengthening exercises and strategies to improve mobility, including walking pattern modifications and/or walking on uneven surfaces.

• Vestibular Rehabilitation

This treatment strategy focuses on retraining the brain in addition to strengthening other systems of balance.  Through repeated exposure to various challenges, the brain will be re-programmed to account for balance impairments to minimize or eliminate their impact on daily activities. 

• Self Directed Home Exercise Program

A customized program will be developed for each individual based on test results and situations that provoke symptoms.  Through exercises performed several times per day, the brain will learn to compensate for areas of impairment.  This program may be performed independently or in conjunction with treatment in the clinic setting.

Home Exercise Program:

A home exercise program will be established on an individualized basis and may include stretching or strengthening exercises and home treatment options. The exercises may be advanced as progress is made with continued follow up appointments.