It could be an accident or the result of repetitive movements. Perhaps you’ve recently had surgery and need help regaining strength and mobility. Whatever the cause, turn to the region’s largest and longest serving private therapy practice. Our team of physical and occupational therapists are here to help you, with offices in Duluth and Proctor.
What is your TURNING POINT?
See the spot that's causing you pain? Click that spot to see the conditions our team of physical and occupational therapists will treat. Or click one one of the conditions to learn what therapy can do to help.
Injury, surgery and a variety of conditions can affect a person’s gait or walking ability. We look for dysfunctions and abnormalities by assessing how a person walks. Once problems are identified, our physical therapists train patients in optimal and safe walking through education, demonstration and practice. This may include training in the use of an assistive device such as a walker or cane, and various balance techniques.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis, including Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, that cause inflammation of the joints. We work with patients to reduce the effects of arthritis, and to recover following joint replacement. Treatment may include splinting, edema reduction, joint protection techniques, pain reduction techniques/modalities, range of motion exercises and strengthening.
For third degree burns - injury to all skin layers and tissue under the skin - we work with patients throughout the healing process. Our physical and occupational therapists are soft tissue experts, and treatments help the scar tissue develop well without causing restriction. For fourth degree burns, which damage even the bone, we offer splinting, bracing and treatment of scar tissue.
It’s an outdated belief that repetitive motion causes carpal tunnel issues. In reality, these problems are the result of a pinched nerve at the base of the palm. A prolonged pinch can cause permanent damage to the muscles of the hand and fingers. If caught early, our physical and occupational therapists help relieve symptoms and provide treatment that lessens damage to the hand and reduces the chance of surgery.
Crush injuries are traumatic and often involve internal and external tissue damage involving skin, nerves, blood vessels, tendons and bones. Surgical repair of damaged tissues is generally needed for these types of injuries. Our post-surgery treatments commonly involve splinting, range of motion, edema management, pain reduction techniques, strengthening, and scar management/remodeling.
A break in the bone is called a fracture. Broken bones that puncture the skin are open or compound fractures. Stress fractures are hairline cracks that develop as a result of repeated or prolonged force. Treatment includes gentle range of motion to the area above and below the fracture area, and gentle pressure to stimulate healing. When casts are removed, aggressive strengthening, range of motion, pain reduction and edema reduction are used. Physical and occupational therapy can treat scar tissue and help prevent contractures (the inability to move a body part).
There are different types of headaches including tension, cervicogenic and migraine headaches, which may be caused by poor posture, muscle tension, decreased spinal mobility, or stress and trauma, such as whiplash. Physical therapy treats headaches with joint mobilization/manipulation, soft tissue manipulation, muscle strengthening, pain reduction, Kinesio Taping and electric stimulation, posture and ergonomic education and training.
The aging process or a severe injury can damage a joint, so that it needs to be replaced. Following joint replacement surgery, therapy is recommended to get tissue to 100% - not just “70-75%” or “ok”. Our post-surgical treatment focuses on range of motion, edema management, strengthening, and pain management to assist patients as they return to an improved level of independence in their daily responsibilities.
Whether the result of surgery or trauma, we help amputation patients with wound care, edema (swelling) reduction, protective splinting, scar/tissue remodeling, pain reduction techniques and desensitization techniques.
Acute or chronic low back pain has many different causes: core and lower extremity muscle tightness or weakness, poor posture, ruptured disc, too much/too little spinal mobility, performing repetitive activities and pregnancy. Our treatment includes core strengthening, spinal manipulation/mobilization, soft tissue manipulation, spinal traction, posture and ergonomic training, taping, heat/ice, ultrasound and electric stimulation.
This can affect muscle motion, sensation, temperature control, and even bowel or bladder changes. For nerve injuries, a physical or occupational therapist can help retrain muscles to function as they should, helping the body return to normal (or close to normal) function. Our treatment may include de-sensitization techniques, neuro-muscular re-education, edema reduction techniques, and various physical agent modalities.
This is pain under the kneecap, between it and the femur (thigh bone). There can be several causes, including misalignment of the patella on the femur, or of the hip, knee or ankle; weak core and leg muscles or tight tissues on the lateral side of the knee cap. For treatment, we offer core, hip and leg strengthening and stretching, joint and soft tissue mobilization, taping and/or orthotics.
The muscles at the bottom of the pelvis act like a sling for the rectum, bladder, vagina and urethra. Weak muscles, pregnancy or post-pregnancy can cause stress urinary incontinence, the involuntary loss of urine with coughing, sneezing or physical activity such as running or jumping. Our physical therapy treatment includes muscle re-training and strengthening, and body mechanics education.
This is the inflammation of the strong tissue on the bottom of the foot, which runs from the heel to the base of the toes. It can be caused by hip, knee, or ankle joint malalignment/mobility; muscle weakness; tight Achilles tendon; flat or high arched feet; or an increase in weight or activity level. We can treat this painful condition through muscle stretching and strengthening, joint and soft tissue mobilization, taping, icing and orthotics for day and nighttime wear.
This is a tear of the tendons of one or more of the four muscles that surround the shoulder. It is caused by trauma, performing repetitive motions, tight or weak muscles or poor posture. We can treat you through stretching and strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapular muscle, joint and soft tissue mobilization, postural and ergonomic training, pain management techniques such as electric stimulation, ice and/or heat.
The Sciatic nerve begins at the low back/sacral level and travels through the buttocks and down the back of the leg. If it becomes inflamed, due to a herniated disc, spinal stenosis or muscle spasm, it can result in a cramping sensation in the thigh, shooting pain from the buttock down the leg, or a tingling feeling in the posterior leg or buttocks. We treat this through lower extremity stretching and strengthening, and joint and soft tissue mobilizations.
Inflammation of the tendons is generally caused by incorrectly performing repeated motions or in an awkward position. Our treatment solutions vary depending on the location of the tendonitis, but can include pain and/or inflammation reduction, strengthening and in some cases stretching.
Tendons are strong connective tissue bands that attach muscles to the bones that each muscle is responsible for moving. Tendon injuries are caused by laceration, crush injury or other trauma leading to partial or complete rupture of the tendon, and can cause limited or complete loss of movement. Surgery is often needed to repair the tendon(s) and restore functional movement. In less severe cases, and post-surgery, our treatment may involve immobilization through splinting, range of motion, scar and edema management, as well as strengthening.
Temporal mandibular joint dysfunction is a discomfort or pain in the muscles and joints of the jaw, and can be caused by stress, poor posture, excessive stress to the joint from nail biting, chewing gum, or grinding teeth. We offer treatments such as stretching and strengthening muscles, joint and soft tissue mobilizations, exercises and techniques to relax muscles, Kinesio Taping and postural training.
Torticollis is a condition with persistent spasms of the muscles, causing the neck to pull sideways to the ear, rotating the head to the opposite side. Treatment starts with a motor and neurological development evaluation, including muscle strength, range of motion and coordination. A therapists will develop a Plan of Care, including family education and therapeutic exercises for stretching and strengthening, with the goal of improved function, motor development and quality of life. Torticollis can be either a congenital problem resulting from birth trauma, or an acquired problem from fetal malposition or uterine compression.
