Welborn Grant to Help UE Students Teach Proper Movement

Many activity-related injuries can be prevented.

And thanks to a grant from the Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc., students and faculty at the University of Evansville – in collaboration with ProRehab – will spend the next year helping teach that prevention to young children.

“Typical wellness programs have focused on cardiovascular and nutritional concepts,” said Robert J. Butler, assistant professor of physical therapy and director of the Dunigan Movement Analysis Laboratory at UE. “This grant is allowing us to develop a program that incorporates aspects of musculosketal development which are imperative to maintain quality of life throughout the lifespan.”

The University of Evansville ’s Physical Therapy Department received a $39,500 grant from the Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc., last week for a collaborative, school-based wellness program incorporating “healthy” movement into standard physical education activity. In this program, UE faculty and ProRehab professionals will go to St. Ben’s Elementary School during both the spring and fall of 2008, where they will spend eight weeks each semester working with students’ active movement patterns.

They will begin by observing the students’ movements in certain physical education activities – everything from walking to doing push-ups to simply stepping over bars or other obstacles. They then will spend the rest of the available time working with the students to correct improper motions that could, if left unchecked, lead to injuries later in life.

This project is supported by a grant from the Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc.

The group chose to focus the intervention on elementary school-aged children, since this is the time when, “kids are subconsciously figuring out how to best move these, new mature bodies to accomplish their daily activities,” says research team member Bryant Elkins, PT, DPT clinician at ProRehab. “Over time, poor movement strategies take a toll on the body. The bad strategies can be modified with some relatively simple activities designed to recruit the correct joint and muscle actions to accomplish the task more effectively.”

This training will be incorporated into traditional physical education, along with standard cardiovascular and nutritional concepts.

“We know kids are less active and more overweight than ever before,” said research team member Phil Plisky, an adjunct faculty member at UE and practicing therapist at ProRehab. “Frequently, children don’t exercise because it is painful or they feel uncoordinated. Our project stemmed from answering these questions that plague the health care professional.”

Reaching children in their early stages of development is crucial, which is why UE and ProRehab are grateful to the Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc., for giving them the opportunity to help these young children.

“Our work in the sports medicine field, demonstrating the link between dysfunctional movement and injury risk is gaining popularity in professional sports,” said Kyle Keisel, an assistant professor of physical therapy at UE and part-time clinician at ProRehab. “The research grant we received from the Welborn Foundation will allow us to expand this work to a younger population to measure and normalize movement. We feel strongly about prevention and early intervention, so to focus our efforts on a school-based program is exciting.”

For more information on this program, please contact UE News Director 
Joe Atkinson at (812) 488-2562.


November 2007

NEW NON SURGICAL APPROACH TO LOW BACK PAIN LEADS TO IMPROVED LONG TERM OUTCOMES  

(October 16, 2007 – Evansville)  There is a new non surgical approach to treating low back pain which is available in a few geographical areas throughout the country and Evansville is on the leading front thanks to the talented staff of ProRehab.  

The second leading cause for a visit to the physician is due to back pain. In fact, 80% of the population is affected by low back pain at some stage in their life. The traditional approaches to treating low back pain range from rest and medications to treating patients with low back pain using standard physical therapy methods such as modalities and the McKenzie technique. The latest evidence ProRehab actively participates in adds a new dimension towards effective LONG TERM outcomes. Through early intervention and properly placing each patient in the correct low back pain category, ProRehab is able to avoid repeated bouts of pain which leads to chronic disability. The approach is based upon the latest research which has demonstrated superior outcomes are achieved when this individualized classification approach is utilized. Current best evidence has shown that this will direct the therapeutic approach most efficiently resulting in not only reduced costs to the patient but, also quicker return to normal activities. ProRehab incorporates evidence-based practices into the day-to-day treatment of patients, to assure each patient is getting the best care for his or her unique situation. The three treatment categories include: manual therapy and exercise; directional preference exercise; neuromuscular re-education & stabilization exercises.

ProRehab’s leading expert in the latest evidence-based research for low back pain is Kyle Kiesel, Physical Therapist with a Doctoral Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky.  Dr. Kiesel had three articles published this month in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy,   one of which was conducted with the assistance of eight of ProRehab’s physical therapists.  The results of this study demonstrated that patients with low back pain in each of the three categories mentioned previously have core muscle weakness which must be addressed. The research utilized rehabilitative ultrasound imaging to measure deep core muscle function.  Kyle has presented on this topic at national and international meetings, allowing him to interact with leading physical therapy researchers and clinicians around the world which has helped ensure the clinical interventions utilized at ProRehab follow the current best evidence available. Incorporating rehabilitative ultrasound imaging results into the low back treatment program allows for the improved ability of patients to utilize their core stabilizing muscles in supporting their spine during functional movements.  It is this technique and the evidence-based classification approach taken by ProRehab clinicians that is unique to this geographic area.  

ProRehab, locally owned and operated, employs over 115 employees with therapists who have a long list of accomplishments including 2 therapists with academic doctoral degrees; 9 therapists holding entry-level clinical doctoral degrees; 10 therapists currently engaged in doctoral training; and 9 therapists certified by the American Society of Hand Therapists. ProRehab has 5 Orthopedic Clinical Specialists and 3 of the state of Indiana’s 9 Sports Clinical Specialists. ProRehab is also a partner with the University of Evansville’s Sports Clinical Residency Program. 

October 2007

ProRehab Opens Clinic Inside Atria Assisted Living

ProRehab is now located inside Atria Assisted Living in Newburgh.
5311 Rosebud Lane
Newburgh, IN  47630
Phone 812.759.7464

Let us assist in the comfort of one's own surroundings.   

Fall Prevention
General Orthopedics
Custom Foot Orthotics
Hand Rehabilitation
Lymphedema Treatment
Pelvic Floor Rehab
Incontinence
Vestibular Imbalance Therapy
Low Back Pain Management
ProRehab @ Home, LLC.

Printable Flyer

June 2007

ProRehab Opens Clinic in Owensboro, KY

After eight years in the Southern Indiana region, ProRehab has
expanded their outpatient physical & occupational therapy services to
include Owensboro, KY.  

ProRehab has joined Tim & Joni Flaherty, PT of Get Quick, Sports
Training & Physical Therapy in Owensboro, to merge both businesses
and offer a high level of professional expertise that people have grown to expect from both entities.

We invite you to come by and see the clinic located at:
1605 Scherm Road
Owensboro, KY 42301

February 2007

ProRehab's Vincennes Clinic Will Move to New Building in Feb. 07

ProRehab & Dr. Terry Fenwick, of Quest Orthopedics, will be opening independent practices in the newly renovated medical facility at 2121 Willow Street, Vincennes.  We invite you to come by and see the new location.

January 2007

ProRehab Physical Therapist, Phil Plisky, has study released in the December issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy

To read the complete study, Star Excursion Balance Test as a 
Predictor of Lower Extremity Injury in High School Basketball Players, click on the pdf below.

Star Excursion Balance Test.pdf

You may also read the article published in the Evansville Courier & Press by clicking on the link below.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/dec/13/
test-can-identify-athletes-susceptible-to-leg/

December 2006

Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program

ProRehab is partnering with the University of Evansville to develop a Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program.  This 15 month program is designed for licensed physical therapists and will include on-field coverage, mentored patient care, research, rounds with orthopaedic surgeons, and didactic coursework.  Completion of this program will
allow the clinician to sit for the ABPTS sports specialist exam (the SCS credential).  The first residents will start June 2007.  ProRehab is definitely at the forefront of this type of advanced specialist education as there are only 7 credentialed programs in the US (the nearest is in Wisconsin).

The early application deadline is December 2006 and the regular
deadline is January 2007.  Application is open to any licensed physical therapist or to a student who will be licensed by June 2007.

September 2006

This honor was bestowed on Bob because of his dedication to the profession and excellence in patient care.

July 2006

ProRehab expands Sports Medicine Outreach

ProRehab will now provide Athletic Training Coverage for Castle High School in Warrick County.  Del Nance, PTA, ATC, CSCS, NASM-PES will be the head athletic trainer.  In addition to Castle, ProRehab also provides ATC coverage for Harrison, Bosse, Reitz, Mater Dei, and Memorial.  

July 2006

Evidence Based Update

The Evidence Based Practice Newsletter is a monthly newsletter that was created as a way to keep our referral sources up to date on efforts to integrate evidence-based practice (EBP) principles into our care and to provide you evidence-based information that we feel will help you manage your musculoskeletal patients.

May 2006

Introducing ProRehab @ Home

ProRehab has partnered with Amedisys Home Health Services to provide all Physical and Occupational Therapy for their home bound patients.  Amedisys is one of the largest home health agencies in the country.

More people that you may realize qualify for home health.  If someone is unable to consistently leave the home safely and independently, they may qualify for home health.  Patients do not have to be bed bound to be home bound!  Home health therapy does not count against the outpatient cap and is paid 100% by Medicare.   

March 2006

ProRehab Staff Attains Professional Achievements

Melody Plisky, PT, DSc, OCS, ATC/L
Melody received her Doctor of Science in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.  Her dissertation was Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Injury in High School Cross Country Runners.  Melody is a staff Physical Therapist at the Columbia Street location.

Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, OCS, ATC/L
Phil received his Doctor of Science in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.  His dissertation was The Relationship of Star Excursion Balance Test & Lower Extremity
Injury in High School Basketball Players.  Phil is a staff Physical
Therapist at the Columbia Street location.

Tim Weinzapfel, MSPT, OCS
Tim recently completed the certification process and became an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists.  He is a staff Physical Therapist at the Pearl Drive location.

Kelli Goedde, PT, OCS
Kelli recently completed the certification process and became an Orhtopaedic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists.  She is currently serving as a Clinical Director for ProRehab and is a Physical Therapist at the Indiana Street location.

Brian Kelly, PT, SCS, ATC
Brian recently completed the certification process and became a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists.  He currently serves as a Clinical Director for ProRehab and Director of Sports Medicine Outreach. 

Dan Baumann, DPT, ATC, CSCS
Dan received his Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from St. Louis University in May 2004.  He currently practices as a staff physical therapist at the Pearl Drive location.

Brandon Boots, DPT, ATC, CSCS
Brandon received his Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from St. Louis University in May 2005.  He currently practices as a staff physical therapist.

Andrea Baumann, DPT, ATC, CSCS, CDP/MLD
Andrea received her Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from St. Louis University in May 2004.  She currently practices as a staff Physical Therapist at the Columbia Street Location.

July 2005