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EVERYONE IS AN ATHLETE…with the help of EXCEL PHYSICAL THERAPY

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By Bill Huddleston

Athletes come in all shapes and sizes…all ages and all walks of life.  And, just like there’s a game plan for victory in every sport, there’s also a need for individual recovery strategies when injuries happen with the help of Excel Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.

“Everyone is an athlete in their own way,” explained Kyle Dennis, MPT and clinic director of the Excel clinic in Muskogee, one of 13 locations statewide proudly serving Oklahoma. “We see high school and college athletes and we also see everyday moms and dads, farmers and ranchers and we treat them all the same.  At Excel, we’re committed to getting them back to peak performance safely by educating our patients as well as making sure they’re safe at the same time.”

A competitive athlete himself, Dennis has participated in Crossfit, a current fitness program trend where participants want to get back in the game whenever injuries occur.

“Everybody is getting into it and because Crossfit is such a very competitive environment, whenever someone is injured they want to get right back into the competition,” Dennis explained referencing his own experiences as an avid crossfitter. “At Excel, we’re committed to getting participants back to peak performance. We look at every movement they need to be able to do and break down those movements including the patient’s strengths and weakness and where they’re limited with mobility.”

Just like professional athletes have personal trainers, the physical therapists at Excel are committed to developing one-on-one relationships whether your setback occurs in the game, at home or on the farm.

“We see everyday workers from all types of jobs that have a lot of physical requirements as well as ranchers and farmers.  They have got to get back to doing heavy duty work as soon as possible,” Dennis explained. “In order to keep them on the job, we have to make sure their body can handle the stress and strains of everyday duties. Movement is key so we place a lot of emphasis on having the right body mechanics so they can understand how they can move more and feel better at the same time.”

As Dennis confirms, it’s the one-on-one relationships that make the difference at Excel Physical Therapy. 

“Relationships are priority one to recovery and patient satisfaction to get our patients on the road to recovery the very next day. It’s our commitment, our passion at Excel to develop relationships that last for a lifetime through a community wide effort of helping people enjoy life.”

EXCEL PHYSICAL THERAPY: Where Personal Experience Results In Total Recovery

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By Bill Huddleston

In sports and everyday life challenges, personal experience helps to create a winning strategy. And, when faced with overcoming injury setbacks, the first hand experiences of the physical therapists at EXCEL Physical Therapy provide a game plan for total recovery.

Molly Chaffin is the physical therapist and clinic director at the Sapulpa office for Excel, one of 13 locations serving the needs of Oklahomans.  A former volleyball player on the high school and college level understands the importance of creating a strategic plan for recovery.

“Growing up in Ohio, I was a volleyball player in high school who played year round before playing in college, recalled Chaffin, a five-year veteran at the Sapulpa location.  “As an overhead athlete, I dealt with some shoulder issues. I was in and out of therapy doing some strengthening so I could play. In college, I broke my ankle so I had to rehab that. The hard work helped me to push through the setback and get back on the court.”

It’s her year round playing experiences that translate to Chaffin’s dedication to helping others.

“The year round competition and single sport focus puts demands on the body,” confirmed Chaffin. “I’m seeing more and more younger athletes as young as 12 year olds that are softball players coming in with shoulder injuries.  I think the diversity we used to have years ago where kids were playing two or three different sports and got a break and did a different motion is really taking a toll and leading to the younger athletes not wanting to play as long and giving up a potential for playing in college. I hate to see that because if there were programs that provide appropriate strengthening and a rest period from time to time.”

After answering the initial question from young and old alike…how long is this going to take, Chaffin and the team at EXCEL will develop an individual game plan for success.

“I explain it truly depends on the injury and the time we have to work with. We do a lot of education up front to let them know this is our game plan.  This is where we’re going to begin and this is where we’ll get you,” Chaffin explained.  “If you want to play, I want to know that and that you’re going back to the sport. After the initial groundwork up front, I’ll push the athlete super hard toward the end because I want them to know and trust that arm, shoulder, knee or ankle.”

Total recovery demands a high level of trust between patient and physical therapist.

“That’s a huge part of the total recovery package,” agreed Chaffin. “You have to have that one-on-one rapport with them so they believe in what you’re telling them and they trust in what they’re going through in here.”

It’s also important to have a solid relationship with the parents of the athletes.

“I also emphasize the relationship with parents of the younger kids who want to help their child get back into the competition. It’s paramount to let them know that we have the ultimate best interest in order to accomplish the same goals and where we’re going on this road to recovery,” confirmed Chaffin.

And for Chaffin that also includes personal demonstration of the various recovery motions.

“I personally believe that if I can’t demonstrate the individual training steps and drills, I won’t make you to do it. By showing the patient how to do it makes it easier for them to believe they can do the training and achieve recovery,” Chaffin said with total confidence.

Just like Chaffin and the team at Excel, it’s a family of therapists solely focused on helping patients find a way to total recovery in order to get back in the game from setback to comeback.

“Excel Physical Therapy provides a total person picture,” said Chaffin. “We want to know what are your goals and be sure that we’re a unified team working together. Even though I’m the person giving you the care, I want to know that you’re OK with what’s going on and that together we’ll get you back to the things you want to do.”

Excel Therapy Spotlight with Mustang’s Ryan Flanary

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In sports and everyday life challenges, personal experience helps to create a winning strategy. And, when faced with overcoming injury setbacks, the first hand experiences of the physical therapists at EXCEL Physical Therapy provide a game plan for total recovery.

Ryan Flanary, physical therapist and clinic director at the Mustang office for EXCEL, recalls the his own first hand benefits of physical therapy while growing up in Henryetta, Oklahoma. 

“In high school, I played baseball, basketball and football and had some issues that involved me needing some therapy to overcome those,” recalled Flanary. “The great thing was that my cousin Mike Flanary, who is now a member of the Excel Therapy ownership team, was the one who helped me through those. Now today things have come full circle with both of us working together at EXCEL.”

A 19-year professional in outpatient physical therapy, Flanary enjoys the opportunity of giving back to today’s athletes by partnering with the Mustang Public Schools. 

“When you’re there you see the actual injuries happen and you know exactly how it happened giving you more of a personal relationship with the athlete,” Flanary said, “so when they come back for therapy, you’ve seen them in action so that you can better treat them and know what they’re going back to.”

The experience of Flanary and the team of physical therapists at any of Excel Physical Therapy’s 13 clinics across Oklahoma insure the development of an individual game plan. Regardless the injury, EXCEL PTs tailor to specific needs of each athlete on the high school as well as collegiate levels.

“Whether it’s cheerleading, tumbling and gymnastics or other times it’s football, soccer and baseball, it’s still the one-to-one relationships that get them back to the action,” Flanary explained regarding the wide variety of patients trusting EXCEL for their complete recovery.

“You see a lot of sprains and strains but there’s not one common injury, males or females. I also see a lot of ACL injuries, which are season ending injuries where you deal with the physical side of recovery as well as the emotional side of that athlete not being able to come back for that year. That’s again where the one-to-one relationship helps out to give the athlete complete trust in the plan to see their progress understanding there’s a process to getting that injury better and that we are going to get them returned to the field of play is our goal.”

Ryan Flanary has been voted Mustang’s Best Physical Therapist three years in a row based on producing excellent patient outcomes. 

And just like Flanary wanted to know when his setbacks required therapy, the first question remains the same no matter the age or the injury.

“I’m always asked how fast can I get back to playing my sport,” Flanary confirmed. “I tell everyone I’m going to return you back to action as soon as it’s safely possible. That way they know my goal is the same as theirs, to get them back, but we want to get them back safe.”

From youth, high school and college sports to the outdoorsmen as well as female athletes still competing in competitive adult leagues or everyday workers, Flanary and the team of specialists at EXCEL continue to meet the needs of all ages, treating the person not the sport while developing a relationship first and forever.

“I have a lot of people that saw me 12 or 15 years ago that are still coming in and now send their own kids or their nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and other family members because of the individual care and therapy we provide at Excel,” said Flanary. “It’s a family of therapists who are solely focused on helping our patients find a way to total recovery in order to get back in the game.”

From Setback to COMEBACK… It’s all about RELATIONSHIPS

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By Bill Huddleston

In sports at every level, winning championships requires talented athletes motivated by their coaches, all working together to create a team bond of strength that can overcome every challenge. The same can be said for the day-to-day commitment of Excel Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine to form a relationship with patients for a lifetime of care.

One of the many advantages of the therapist owned practice is the team at Excel Therapy including Shawn Mayes, PT/DPT whose journey to a career in Physical Therapy went through physical therapy.

“While competing in football and track in high school and college, I had six knee surgeries,” recalled Mayes, a 20-year veteran working in orthopedics and sports medicine in the Tulsa community. “I missed my entire senior year at Washington Community HS in Illinois, which got me to rubbing elbows with a physical therapist that knew how to push my buttons to get me better. At some time during that journey I said this is what I want to do.”

A lifetime journey of commitment fuels the efforts of Mayes as well as the team at Excel Physical Therapy that includes 13 locations statewide proudly serving Oklahoma including four offices in the Tulsa metropolitan area. Mayes and his team serve the Tulsa market at 51st and Yale.

“I love working with athletes, passionate about that, but athletes come in many forms. It can be the 8-year old that got wrecked on a trampoline to the athletes in their seventies. I just evaluated someone today that wants to get back to playing pickle ball. If it’s a sport or an activity, I’m going to work to get them back to doing what they want to do,” replied Mayes. “And at Excel Therapy, our team really cares about the patient, about the person, about the heart of the person. The decisions we make are not about business but they’re about people.”

Or as Mayes describes, at Excel it’s all about relationships.

“That’s probably the most fun part of physical therapy. It really is about developing a relationship with a patient, getting to know them, getting to know their goals and desires as well as their hesitations and their fears,” smiled Mayes, “and, then walking through that journey of getting them back to doing what they want to do. I would call it holy ground, that when you get to interface with a patient in an area of struggle, pain or loss and be able to be a part of their lives in that puts us in a high-trust category.”

Among the many advantages available through Excel Physical Therapy is direct access to get their patients on the road to recovery the very next day.

“Direct access means that you don’t have to have a physician referral to start your medical care. We can be the entry point for care for your sprains and strains as soon as something happens,” Mayes explained. “In Oklahoma, direct access is good for 30 days and if we can get you back and return to your normal activity in that time frame great but if not then you have to return to your doctor or go to your doctor to get a prescription to continue with therapy.”

Among the many success stories of recovery, the team of professionals at Excel Therapy provides the proper professional treatment for all kinds of injuries from back pain or ACL reconstruction as well as shoulders, ankles, hips and other orthopedic-related pain, they also specialize in helping men and women, boys and girls of all ages to prevent an injury. 

“It’s our passion at Excel Therapy,” said Mayes, “we’re about developing relationships with our patients for a lifetime of care. Not just one injury or a complaint, it’s a lifetime of care to get them and keep them at the highest level of function. That is the true joy of physical therapy and the game plan for success at Excel Physical Therapy.” 

Foundation Under Foot

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Darrell Platt, PT – Excel Therapy South Tulsa Clinic

The feet and ankles are an important part of sports performance– they are the foundation of our movement.  The activation for most athletic movement starts with the feet, ankles, and toes.

Ensuring that the feet, ankles and toes are functioning properly is not only important for injury prevention, it goes a long way toward maximizing speed, mobility, agility, power, force production and explosiveness.  Like all skeletal muscles, the anatomy that surrounds the feet and ankles are designed for movement and force absorption. When these muscles don’t function as they should, it severely limits the shock absorption capabilities of the lower body. This affects the entire kinetic chain, promoting greater potential for injury from head to toe.  In fact, according to Sports Health News, ankle injuries are the most common type of injury in high school athletes in the United States.

One of the easiest ways to help protect your feet and ankles is by selecting the correct footwear.  Most modern athletic footwear is built for fashion as well as sport.  Teams are issued matching footwear in order to give a cohesive team look.  However, every athlete performs differently, thus the shoe they choose should be individualized to their body mechanics. So while looking good on the field is important, each shoe should be slightly customized for each athlete.

Walking, running and performance shoes are not created equal so do your homework when it comes to foot placement.  Some people walk on the outside of the heel, called supinating or rolling outwardly.  And some individuals walk on the inside of the heel, called pronating or rolling inwardly.  More than 80 percent of ankle sprains are a result of excessive inversion, which is an inward rolling of the ankle, resulting in damage to the ligaments on the outside of the ankle.

Excessive pronation and supination can cause a number of ailments that affect the foot, ankle, knees, hips and back. Some of the more common symptoms of excessive pronation and supination are listed below.

If you are suffering from pain possibly caused by a foot and ankle problem, an Excel Therapy physical therapist can help.  Our therapists specialize in treatments for orthopedic pre and post surgical injuries and rehabilitation for sprains and strains.  Manual therapy, dry needling and ASTYM could get you feeling relief before the season starts without you!

Falls, Dizziness and Vertigo

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Excel Therapy Oklahoma, Physical Therapy Oklahoma, Physical Therapy Tulsa, Physical Therapy Chickasha, Physical Therapy Mustang, Physical Therapy Broken Arrow, Physical Therapy Bartlesville, Physical Therapy McAllister

The presence of dizziness or vertigo in the elderly is a strong predictor of falls which is the leading cause of accidental death in adults 65 and older and account for 40% of nursing home admissions.

Falls are particularly prevalent above age 75 and in the elderly often result in injury, such as wrist and hip fractures, and can lead to declining independence and a progressively sedentary lifestyle.

At Excel Therapy, we are no stranger to treating patients who have experienced injury due to falls. Through experience, we have believe it’s important to keep moving safely to maintain health and independence, resulting in an overall decrease in demand on the medical system.

Caregivers know it can be a daunting task to protect a loved one from the many risks associated with physical decline. It’s important to identify the possible risks and have a plan in place to minimize those risks as much as possible.

The American Geriatric Society has identified many factors that contribute to an increased risk for falling including:

  • Polypharmacy (more than 4 daily medications)
  • Gait and balance changes
  • Decreased visual acuity
  • Neurological impairments
  • Decreased muscle strength
  • Changes in heart rate and rhythm
  • Postural hypotension
  • Foot deformity and poor foot wear
  • Environmental hazards

While our physical therapists at Excel Therapy may not able to address all issues, we can evaluate and address deficits related to many of them. Our highly skilled physical therapy team can evaluate a patient’s risk for falls based on functional tests, such as the Berg Balance Scale, and then implement a rehabilitation program based on the evaluation findings. A typical rehab program may include:

  • Strengthening activities primarily of the lower extremities
  • Core stabilization
  • Proprioception
  • Static and dynamic balance activities
  • Stretching to obtain adequate LE and trunk mobility
  • Balance correction strategies
  • Assess need for assistive device
  • Transfer training
  • Footwear assessment and recommendation
  • Vestibular assessment
  • Discussion of environmental hazards and recommendations for correction

Falling doesn’t have to be a natural part of the aging process. Fight back and contact your an Excel Therapy location near you to learn more about all the ways to minimize the risk of harm for you or your loved one.

 

What is a Functional Movement Screening (FMS)?

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FMS identifies seven fundamental movement patterns BEFORE the onset of pain or injury. Excel Therapy physical therapists are FMS certified and able to identify areas of weakness, imbalances, decreased flexibility and motor control deficits for your individual areas of need. Now, you can develop a greater sense of awareness of the way your body moves, make a conscious effort to correct your imbalances and improve benefits from your training. Should you become injured, FMS is a great tool for assessing readiness to return to a sport or activity. You have nothing to lose, yet everything to gain. Call now to schedule your Functional Movement Screening!

Matthew Hathaway Bartlesville Pawhuska Oklahoma Physical Therapy Physical Therapist Bartlesville Pawhuska Oklahoma— Matthew Hathaway, MPT

Colds, Flu, Cough: Too Sick for School?

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Colds-Flu-Cough-Too-Sick-for-School-Dennis-Thompson-ATC-Founding-partner-of-Excel-Therapy-Ardmore-Oklahoma-Physical-therapist-ardmore-oklahoma-physical-therapy-oklahomaIt’s a start of a new year and school is back in session! This means the kids are all stuck in a warm classrooms, locker rooms, and on the court. Unfortunately, while sharing ideas and activities, they are also sharing the germs they have collected from all of the holiday gatherings and travel. As an Athletic Trainer working with high school students I get asked all the time, “should my son/daughter go to school”? Symptom by symptom, here are some guidelines to help you decide whether your child should stay home from school:

Fever: If your child’s temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, keep them at home. While at home, encourage your child to drink plenty of liquids. Your child should be fever-free for 24 hours (without medicine) before returning to school.

Mild Cough/Runny Nose: If there’s no fever, and the child feels fairly good, school is fine.

Bad Cough/Cold Symptoms: Children with bad coughs need to stay home, and possibly see a doctor. It could be a severe cold or possibly bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia. But when the cough improves, and the child is feeling better, then it’s back to school. Don’t wait for the cough to disappear entirely — that could take a week or longer!

Diarrhea Or Vomiting: Keep your child home until the illness is over, and for 24 hours after the last episode (without medicine). Hydration is key to recovery!

Sore Throat: A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore throat could be strep throat even if there is no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach upset. Keep your child home from school, and contact a doctor. Your child needs a special test to determine if it is strep throat. He or she can return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment begins.

Earache: The child needs to see a doctor.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Keep the child home until a doctor has given the OK to return to school. Pink eye is highly contagious and most cases are caused by a virus, which will not respond to an antibiotic. Bacterial conjunctivitis will require an antibiotic; your doctor will be able to determine if this is the case.

Rash: Children with a skin rash should see a doctor, as this could be one of several infectious diseases. One possibility is impetigo, a bacterial skin infection that is very contagious and requires antibiotic treatment. Also, fifth disease is a contagious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes; it’s no longer contagious by the time rash appears.

But when in doubt, you should always call your physician for advice

Dennis Thompson, physical therapist, Ardmore Oklahoma Physical Therapy

— Dennis Thompson, ATC, Founding partner of Excel Therapy Ardmore

Common Aches and Pains: Why You Should Give Physical Therapy a Try.

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How many of us experience little aches and pains from time to time and seek treatment for them right away? More often than not, we don’t. We make excuses, or chalk it up to having had a few too many birthdays, elevated levels of stress, or a lack of physical fitness. Sound familiar?

What many fail to realize is just how effective physical therapy can be for alleviating discomfort associated with common aches and pains. Sometimes a simple stretching or strengthening regimen that can be done out of the comfort of your own home can make a world of difference!

DON’T WAIT until your minor aches and pains—like headaches, backaches, and knee pain—turn into debilitating problems. Your body is trying to tell you something! By ignoring your symptoms and hoping they resolve on their own, you may very likely end up at your physicians office with a prescription in hand for pain medication.

Physical therapists have a wide range of treatment options to help relieve your pain WITHOUT medication. Techniques such as ASTYM therapy, trigger point release, soft tissue mobilization, dry needling, muscle energy, as well as the ultrasound (US) & E-stim combination have proven to be highly effective in restoring muscle and joint function, which means patients are able to return to the activities they enjoy much more quickly.

No matter your age or fitness level, please consider physical therapy for your common aches and pains. You won’t be disappointed!

Christy Willman Durant Oklahoma Physical Therapy— Christy Willman, PT, Excel Therapy Durant, OK

A New Year. A New You. Add Physical Therapy to your 2017 Resolution!

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Okay, it’s time to come clean. Who fell off the wagon over the holidays? So maybe you didn’t fall off entirely. Perhaps it was more like your wagon had a broken wheel and the entire month of December felt like one insanely bumpy ride.

We get it! It’s easy for the hustle and bustle of the holidays to catch up with us by the time the new year rolls around. Our back and shoulders are sore from lugging the shopping bags, our jeans fit a bit more snug after sampling the various cheese logs and homemade treats at holiday parties, and let’s face it—all motivation to do anything productive has flown out the window (those of you who still have your holiday decorations up can probably relate).

But the new year is here and it’s time to begin writing a new chapter in this book we call life. What’s it going to be…the same old story? Or will it be filled with excitement and adventure? Thinking of taking up a new hobby or trying a new sport? Or maybe starting an exercise program, perhaps? Whatever your goals happen to be for 2017, Excel Therapy can help you get off to the right start.

Physical therapy is so much more than simply treating injuries after they occur. Our goal is to address your current aches and pains while simultaneously identifying areas that may need strengthening. Addressing these issues prior to a new sport or activity is crutial to reduce your risk of injury in the future. Don’t make the mistake of doing too much, too soon, with too little information. Make Excel Therapy part of YOUR New Year’s resolution. Our highly trained physical therapists are just a phone call away.

And the best part? There’s no physician referral required!

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