Physical Therapy Blog

Stay active and pain-free this winter with practical tips for exercise, joint health, fall prevention, and knowing when physical therapy can help.

Change, positive, career-and-patient-care-enhancing change, is one of the many things that is unique and special about every Rock Valley Physical Therapy clinician. Forever working to better one’s practice is a cornerstone of “The Rock Valley Way.’’ In August of 2024, Leslie Brant (Foley), PT, DPT, FAFS, CIDN, who had fashioned a tremendous two-decade career – joined the Rock Valley Physical Therapy family, putting the legacy of Bondurant Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine – of which she founded – in the hands of like-minded therapists. “It (Rock Valley) is a therapist-owned organization with similar values,’’ Brant said as to why she sold her Bondurant, Iowa-based practice and joined forces with Rock Valley. “At the core, we both care about helping people feel better and move better, and that alignment made it the right fit.’’ The opportunity to concentrate solely on patient care has allowed Brant the opportunity to add to her niche practice, working to become certified in vestibular rehabilitation (VRT), an exercise-based therapy designed to treat disorders of the inner ear and the central nervous system. Its goal is to alleviate symptoms like dizziness, vertigo (the room spinning), imbalance, and motion sensitivity. It was the perfect step for Brant along her path of bettering the lives of others. “ Vestibular is a unique specialty,’’ said Brant, who calls Rock Valley’s Bondurant clinic (85 Paine Street Southeast # B, Bondurant, (515) 528 2326) home. “People can wake up one day and feel like their world is spinning. It’s an area where physical therapists can play a significant role in helping people regain their lives. In our community, I’ve seen a growing number of individuals dealing with dizziness and balance disorders. “While some conditions, like acoustic neuroma, are considered rare (roughly 1 in 100,000 per NIH data), we’ve seen a higher occurrence locally in recent years,’’ Brant added. “These individuals need the right support, and I want to be as equipped as possible to help them recover.’’ A gifted, compassionate, and knowledgeable therapist, Brant – who also sports an amazing sense of humor – said the goal with her practice is to always stay relevant but expand to help those in need. “The decision is not about adding initials behind my name,’’ Brant said. “I have plenty. It is about continuing to learn the most up-to-date information so I can better serve our community and provide the best care possible. The driving factor is what I’m seeing in our community. There seems to be an increase in people experiencing vertigo and vestibular issues, and I wanted to better understand the underlying pathophysiology, along with how to effectively diagnose and treat these conditions. Ultimately, it’s about helping people get back to living their lives.’’ A Davenport, Iowa native, who earned her undergraduate degree from St. Ambrose University and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University, Brant said an accident involving her father drew her a career as a therapist. She lauded Bondurant clinic manager Chris Cass, PT, DPT, for playing a positive and significant role in encouraging her to seek the certification. “My dad, when he was a child, was involved in a fire and sustained burns over a large portion of his body,’’ Brant said. “Hearing about his recovery process and the role rehabilitation played in helping him regain his life had a big impact on me growing up. That experience inspired me to pursue physical therapy and help others do the same." “And, over time, Chris encouraged me to pursue this certification, and seeing the value of it firsthand made a difference,’’ she added.” It’s clear that the coursework continues to evolve with the latest information, which reinforces its relevance. I appreciate opportunities like this that allow us to continue growing and better serve our patients and community.’’ By: Johnny M arx, Rock Valley Storyteller

Phil Ward is tough-as-nails, but the 80-year-old record-setting powerlifter knew – once he heard the “crunch’’ in his left knee – trouble had arrived.

“It has translated to the field,’’ Schweitzer said of his time with Staab. “Good balance helps with movement, while the speed and agility part continues to play a role. I’m not the same person I was when I began with Jonathan, and that’s been huge. He knows what he is talking about, listens to our concerns, and always

“I don’t know where I would be without Ashley (Schurr, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS),’’ said Hendren, who used to regularly shoot his age in golf, has a hole-in-one to his credit, and also a perfect 300 game in bowling. “She has always been there to get me through whatever I am dealing with. It’s been a lot of years with Ashley

Most people assume physical therapy is something you only need after tearing a ligament, having joint replacement surgery, or waking up with a stiff neck. While PTs are great at those things, treating injuries is only half of what we do. Physical therapy is also one of the most effective, underused tools for preventative wellness. PT can help you move better, prevent chronic disease and help protect your health for decades to come. Exercise Is The Wonder Drug You Don’t Need a Prescription For We all know exercise is good for us. If physical activity were packaged into a single pill, it would be the most prescribed blockbuster medication on earth. The benefits of exercise are incredible: Improves your mood and mental clarity: Triggers natural endorphins and neurotransmitters that combat depression and chronic anxiety Protects against chronic illness: Drastically reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and multiple types of cancer Improves immune function: Studies show regular moderate activity significantly lowers the risk of severe respiratory illness and hospitalization from viruses like COVID-19 Protects brain health: Staying physically active through midlife helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia Improves metabolic health and sleep: Helps regulate insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and circadian rhythm But the CDC reports that fewer than a quarter of American adults meet the full federal benchmarks for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. Why is that? Because for many people, moving regularly hurts, feels overwhelming, or doesn't fit well into everyday life. That's where your physical therapist comes in. Physical Therapy Helps You For Life To stay active, you have to first be able to move comfortably and safely. Physical Therapists are doctoral-level experts in the human movement system. They'll evaluate your entire body to reduce pain, get you moving better, and help you find the best exercise routine for you. They can also work together with your broader healthcare team. Whether your physician has urged you to lower your blood pressure, manage cholesterol, or improve your HbA1c levels, your PT can design an exercise prescription to help with these goals safely, and without pain. Think of your physical therapist the same way you think of your primary care physician or dentist: someone you visit for regular check-ups, movement screenings, and prescription changes. As your body changes across different decades, or as your lifestyle shifts from training for 10Ks to keeping up with grandkids, your PT can help you stay pain-free, capable, and healthy. Aging is inevitable, but losing mobility, strength, and independence is not. You don't have to wait for pain to make an appointment with your PT. Whether you want to run your first 5K, get back in the gym safely, or maintain your mobility and independence, think of your physical therapist as your movement coach and lifelong partner.

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