Pain in the back, a hurt knee.
It’s a common situation more and more folks find themselves in these days.
Be it living longer, more active lives or age 50-something men thinking they’re still in their 20s, physical therapy is becoming a much more common treatment for the young and the young at heart.
And, Wellington’s P.T. Services is making sure that more people are able to keep moving, keep active, and keep mentally fit.
P.T. Services began in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1972 with a small group of physical therapists and has grown to more than 250 employees all across Ohio with eight certified rehabilitation agencies in Ohio, including at 805 Patriot Drive in Wellington.
P.T. Services provides a variety of rehabilitation services including physical and occupational therapy, and provide in clinic care currently at its Patriot Drive location.
They work with local physicians and providers to ensure the best rehabilitation outcomes, and encourage local businesses, schools and other organizations to contact them for their rehabilitation needs at their sites.
Local regional supervisor Shannon Reardon explains that services currently are provided in their clinic setting, care also could be provided within the patient’s homes, assisted living facilities and county associations.
“We serve patients with physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology, providing care at the patient’s place of residence,” Reardon said. “With our workforce solutions, we provide such things as preventative training to rehabilitation programs that enable a safe return to work.
“To help employees stay healthy and injury free, we offer educational programs on topics such as ergonomics, posture, body mechanics, safe back and even flexibility and strengthening. So, it’s not always about getting someone back to being able to move better or perform better, but also to work with them to stay that way.
“Our wellness programs, our fitness programs we have found really help out our employers and local businesses immensely. Safe, healthy employees is a goal every business should have.”
The Wellington location has at least two physical therapists on staff each day, along with various support team members.
And while currently only offering in clinic visits, P.T. Services is looking to expand its network of clients to the local business and academic communities.
“Many programs focus on community need, from pediatric to geriatric care and all possible rehabilitation services in between,” Reardon said. “Typically, our patients will come about because of a referral from their doctor who says they need physical therapy.
“But, they absolutely can call us directly and don’t need a doctor referral. And all of our treatments are individualized and customized to the patient and what they need.
“We ask what’s going on, and what are your goals, what is important to them and so on. What do they need to be able to do, and we take it from there in putting together their plan. How often they come in, what kind of shape are you in to start with, age and what do we need to do to achieve their specific goals.
“What can we pull out from our big bag of tricks to get them back to where they want to be.”
Specialty skills
Reardon explained that her and her team, and the entire network of P.T. Services have very specific specialty skills to offer patients and make sure to use those skills when working directly with the patients.
Which comes with another directive.
Homework.
“Ideally, the time a patient spends with a physical therapist is time spent to make you feel better — to go through stretches or range of motion and using our techniques on whatever issue they may have to get them to their goal,” Reardon said. “The patient has to cooperate by making sure they’re doing their homework.
“We’re a team — the patient and the therapist — and there is definitely ongoing homework they need to be doing so the time we spend together can be specific to using our skills.”
Reardon says she is seeing the demand for physical therapists continue to increase and that more programs are becoming more readily and widely available for patients.
She added that if anyone is seeking a good career, physical therapy is in high demand although oftentimes the red tape and administrative work that comes along with the therapy part continues to be a challenge in the industry.
“It’s such a rewarding career,” the 32-year industry veteran said. “The people, my co-workers, the staff and the patients and their families — it’s just a delight.
“And Wellington is such a wonderful place to be and it’s certainly one of the nicest clinics we have. It’s second to none. But, when you see someone that is hurt or is going through a difficult situation and you’re able to help them move or even help someone walk again, wow is that powerful and we just love making a positive difference in people’s lives.”
In 2011, P.T. Services made an innovative change from being a privately held company to operating as an ESOP, or Employee Stock Ownership Plan, corporation which gives employees the ability and capability to basically own their own business.
For more information, call 440-647-0107 or visit www.ptsrehab.com.
