In the middle of a gaggle of self-deprecating albeit highly humorous one liners about herself, the local media legend went stone-face serious.
“This place is special,’’ longtime KFMH Radio (Muscatine, Iowa) star Judy Thoma said of Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Wilton, Iowa clinic.
“Everyone here treats me and the rest of my family, my sister, my son, son-in-law, and grandson, like family. My sister, Jackie, is even going to volunteer here just because she admires and trusts (clinic manager) Kelly (Waack, PT, DPT) so much. I know when I do something silly – like pulling and tearing out my tomato garden by hand – and wind up with a repetitive-use injury – I can get help from someone I know and trust. I recommend Rock Valley to anyone who will listen. Get some help, use physical therapy, and you will be amazed.’’
One of life’s incredibly good souls, Thoma – the bearer of a 10,000-watt personality and a warm heart – has for years turned to Rock Valley Physical Therapy in times of physical distress. The longtime media sales representative who is retired and living in Durant, Iowa, says her most recent issue was bicep tendinitis, which followed the losing battle with the tomato garden.
This, on top of Waack working diligently with Thoma through the years on hip issues.
“We used a variety of strengthening and range of motion exercises (with the bicep tendinitis),’’ said Waack, a gifted, knowledgeable, and compassionate therapist, whose own quick-witted sense of humor is admired and appreciated by Thoma, a laugh-a-minute type.
“Judy is not a fan of needles and a cortisone shot she received for her shoulder. That goes into account when we dry needle, which Judy is comfortable with, though she makes sure to remind me she is not a fan of needles. This approach was successful with her repetitive use issue and has held off serious issues with her shoulder. It has allowed Judy to return to her active lifestyle.’’
With Thoma’s hip issues – bursitis and gait woes – it has been a true therapist-patient collaboration. Thoma has responded to Waack’s plan of attack and Waack has respected what Thoma says helps her have success outside clinic walls.
“Yes, it’s the big ol’ farm girl not bending down properly 25,000 times to move or remove something like she is supposed to,’’ Thoma said, bringing laughter to those gathered. “It’s me not listening and aggravating something while throwing down mulch to the point where if I don’t get help from Kelly it’s going to get serious. She has long been working on my gait issue.”
“But she listens,’’ Thoma said of Waack. “She knows I will do whatever is needed inside and outside of the clinic, but she must keep the list of exercises short. It’s the core (group) that has a positive impact on me getting better. I don’t want a lengthy list; I won’t get to them. Kelly has done a wonderful job figuring that out and it has made a difference. Then you add the work in the clinic, dry needling and ice, and I’m so much better.’’
For Waack, it’s simply about knowing the needs of the patient, incorporating a plan to get them better, and understanding their goals.
“What’s amazing about Judy is she trusts the process and knows what works,’’ said Waack who has successfully guided the consolidation of Rock Valley’s Durant, Iowa clinic (closed in January 2025), into the Wilton clinic to better serve the needs of Wilton and its surrounding communities.
“And we have a great time working together, which is a huge plus,’’ Waack said of Thoma. “She simply doesn’t like a list of too many exercises so I determined the best core group – the most beneficial – and we concentrated on that. Things were a little hectic when we first shifted to Wilton, left Durant, and combined efforts, but we are at full strength, we have a great staff and the community has responded. Our goal of providing great care every day never changes, and we are better positioned to do that where we are.’’
For Thoma there is comfort knowing help, friendship and others who care about her and her family are just a few miles from home.
“Kelly is amazing,’’ Thoma said. “She listens, she checks in on me and she exudes confidence when it comes to treating me. “If Kelly tells you she has a way to get you better, you know you are going to get better.’’
And have fun doing it.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller