Addressing the Unique Challenges of Injured Workers
The task of treating work related injuries often comes with unique challenges and requires a coordinated effort from providers to assist workers in their return to work. At Sapphire Physical Therapy we offer a number of services including functional capacity evaluations (FCEs), physical therapy, and work hardening to help.
Rehabilitation after ACL Reconstruction
Optimizing rehab following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is essential for a successful return to sport and recreational activities. Unfortunately, quad strength deficits and gait impairments can linger >6 months to 3 years after surgery.(1,2) It is our job as physical therapists to guide the individual through a quality rehab process and have the correct tools to objectively measure progress.
Fall Ski Specific Training to Reduce Injury Risk and Increase Enjoyment
The forecast for the Northern Rockies calls for a cold and snowy winter which is good news for Montanans. Winter enthusiasts in the US include 13 million downhill skiers and snowboarders, 1 million backcountry skiers (wildsnow.com), and 5 cross country skiers (statista.com). With snow in the high country and the first arctic storm hitting Montana, now is the time to get serious about a fall ski specific training program.
Expanding Clinic Space & Services
Sapphire Physical Therapy completed a major expansion project last winter. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm to evaluate and treat new and existing patients. Our recently expanded clinic is 6,000 square feet which makes social distancing a reality. The additional space includes a large gym area, new exercise equipment, three additional private treatment rooms (brings our total private treatment rooms to six), and a new therapist office. We have two separate parking lots, two entrances, four unique waiting areas, and we are staggering our schedules to eliminate waiting and congestion.
ACL Coper Protocol
With Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries on the rise, it is important for health care providers to understand the evidence based, non-surgical approaches available. So what is the ACL Coper Protocol? It is a non-invasive protocol to assess ACL deficient athlete’s potential to return to cutting sports without ACL reconstruction.
What is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that have a role in urinary, flatal, and fecal continence as well as help to support the organs of sexual function (1). These muscles work with the diaphragm to help control intra-abdominal pressure. Pelvic floor dysfunction is when your pelvic floor muscles are unable to coordinate or relax properly in order for processes like urination or defecation to occur appropriately (2). Pelvic floor dysfunction is common in female athletes with 19.1-76% of females participating in sports experiencing incontinence (3).