Physical & Occupational Therapy

Our Physical & Occupational Therapists

We’re not just here for your orthopaedic needs; we have therapists with over 10 years of experience serving those with physical or occupational therapy needs.

Gordon Estlack DPT

Kaylee Ohnmeiss DPT

Emi Shoemaker MOTR/L, CLT-LANA

Heather Smith MOTR/L

Kyle Shroll DPT

Kristin L. West DPT

Contact Info & Hours

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy, often called P.T., is a type of healthcare that helps people improve their movement and manage pain. It often involves exercises, stretches and other treatments to help with recovery from injuries or surgeries to regain strength, flexibility and function. In addition to helping you return to your original level of activity, our therapists will advise you on lifestyle changes that promote healing and prevent further injury.

What Conditions Are Addressed With Physical Therapy?

Our physical therapy services address a variety of pain and injuries for people of all ages, including:

• Sports injuries: Treating injuries sustained during athletic activities, such as sprains, strains and fractures
• Chronic pain: Managing long-term pain conditions, including back pain, neck pain and joint pain
• Non-operative conditions: Providing care for conditions that do not require surgery, such as muscular sprains, tendonitis and ankle injuries
• Postoperative rehabilitation: Assisting patients in recovering from surgeries, such as shoulder surgeries and knee and hip replacements
• Neurological conditions: Supporting patients with conditions like stroke, vestibular disorders and other neurological issues to improve balance and coordination
• Geriatric conditions: Enhancing mobility and reducing pain for older adults dealing with age-related conditions

Whatever your ailment or affected body part, our team approach provides comprehensive care from start to finish, optimizing your recovery and helping you regain function and mobility.

Benefits of Physical Therapy

Undergoing a full physical therapy program can seem daunting at first since it involves daily work over an extended period. However, the benefits you stand to gain from maintaining your program are numerous.

Physical therapy can:

• Reduce pain
• Maximize mobility
• Aid recovery from an injury
• Prevent an injury or a fall
• Avoid surgery or narcotic drugs
• Manage health conditions

All this gives you the tools and resources to become a more active you. Our philosophy is to educate you, empower you and ultimately guide you in taking control of your health and well-being. You are the most important part of this team.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy, often abbreviated O.T., helps people do everyday activities that are meaningful to them. When we hear occupation, we may first think of work-related functions, but occupational therapy addresses the roles of daily living too: dressing, cooking, parenting/caregiving and hobbies like painting, golfing and playing musical instruments. We generally don’t think about our daily occupations until we have lost the ability to perform them.

Throughout our lifespan, you experience a range of occupations: a young child develops skills for play; an older adult learns how to maintain or regain independence in their home; a middle-aged adult rehabs an injury to safely return to work. If you are recovering from an accident or injury, your valued occupations may be disrupted. Occupational therapy incorporates these valued occupations into the rehabilitation process.

Occupational therapy practitioners are either occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. These skilled healthcare professionals use research and scientific evidence to ensure their interventions are effective. With a strong knowledge of a person’s psychological, physical, emotional and social makeup, occupational therapy practitioners can evaluate how your condition (or risk for one) is affecting your body and mind, using a holistic perspective. Our occupational therapists work on strengthening the upper body, allowing patients to perform daily tasks that will enable them to operate independently. In some cases, special equipment or alternative methods may be recommended to accommodate injuries or medical conditions.

What Conditions Are Addressed With Occupational Therapy?

Our occupational therapy professionals have a special interest in addressing limitations due to an orthopaedic injury or condition. In general, occupational therapy addresses a variety of conditions, including:

• Physical disabilities: Assisting those with injuries or conditions that limit their ability to perform daily tasks, such as arthritis, fractures or amputations
• Neurological disorders: Supporting individuals recovering from strokes or traumatic brain injuries or those dealing with conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or vestibular disorders
• Developmental disorders: Helping children with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders or other conditions that impact their ability to perform age-appropriate tasks
• Mental health issues: Aiding those with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or severe mental illnesses in developing coping strategies and improving their daily functioning
• Chronic conditions: Managing symptoms and improving quality of life for those with chronic conditions like COPD, heart disease or diabetes
• Aging-related issues: Assisting older adults in maintaining their independence by addressing issues related to aging, such as reduced mobility, cognitive decline and the need for home modifications

Whatever your specific needs, our team approach offers comprehensive care tailored to help you achieve greater independence and improved quality of life. OIO’s occupational therapy department has a combined 40+ years of experience working with upper extremity orthopaedic conditions.

Benefits of Occupational Therapy

There are numerous potential benefits of incorporating occupational therapy into your program, including the ability to:

• Strengthen muscles used for daily activities
• Relearn basic home-making activities
• Improve physical function in frailer adults
• Recommend modifications in the home for greater function
• Help adults remain independent for as long as possible
• Design and fabricate bracing for surgical and non-surgical conditions
• Planning and making the most of daily routines
• Returning to work, school and leisure activities

What to Expect During Your First P.T. or O.T. Visit

When you visit the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio for physical or occupational therapy, you can expect a thorough evaluation and a personalized treatment plan. Your first visit will include a detailed assessment of your condition, medical history and goals. Our therapists will then develop a customized plan that addresses your specific needs and outlines the steps necessary to achieve your desired outcomes.

We work closely with your care team to optimize your therapy results. Our goal is to help you achieve the highest level of independence and quality of life.

Our Specialized Therapy Services

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a minimally invasive treatment used in physical therapy to manage acute and chronic pain. By inserting fine needles into trigger points, the therapy helps reduce pain, regulate inflammation and improve tissue function. This technique is particularly effective for conditions like neck and back pain, tendinitis and muscle strains.

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

IASTM is a technique we use in physical and occupational therapy to treat soft tissue injuries. By applying precise pressure with specialized instruments, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization helps reduce pain, improve range of motion and promote healing. This method addresses conditions like scar tissue, tendinitis and muscle strains.

In physical therapy, IASTM is used to enhance mobility and function. In occupational therapy, it aids patients in performing daily activities by reducing discomfort and improving flexibility.

McKenzie Method

The McKenzie Method is a diagnostic and treatment approach focusing on spinal and musculoskeletal disorders. It uses tailored exercises to relieve pain and improve function. In physical therapy, it helps with back pain, degenerative disc disease and other spinal issues by using specific movements to reduce pain and improve mobility.

BetterU Program

The BetterU program at the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio integrates physical and occupational therapy principles to enhance sports performance and overall wellness. It offers personalized coaching, injury prevention education and recovery techniques. Experts, including physical therapists and personal trainers, tailor sessions to individual needs, promoting strength, flexibility and functional independence. This program complements physical and occupational therapy by focusing on optimizing health, preventing injuries and supporting recovery.

Sports Medicine Program

Our sports medicine program addresses both the prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries. It caters to professional and amateur athletes and those with active lifestyles. Services include diagnostics, physical therapy, surgical treatments and performance optimization. The program aims to quickly and effectively return individuals to their activities after an injury.

Pediatric Therapy

Children have unique needs when it comes to therapy. Pediatric therapy is tailored to help children with developmental delays, injuries or congenital conditions. Our therapists use age-appropriate techniques and activities to engage children and promote their physical and cognitive development. We work closely with families to ensure that therapy sessions are fun, effective and supportive of the child’s overall growth.

Geriatric Therapy

As we age, maintaining mobility and independence becomes increasingly important. Geriatric therapy focuses on helping older adults manage age-related conditions and improve their overall function. Through targeted exercises and treatments, we aim to enhance strength, balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and promoting a higher quality of life.

Physical & Occupational Therapy at OIO

Both physical and occupational therapy are integral components in our treatment plans at Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio. Because the programs are located within our facility, doctors and therapists can work closely together to produce the best outcomes for our patients.

To learn more about our physical and occupational therapy programs, contact the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio today at 419-222-6622.