We are dedicated to the health and wellness of our patients in everything we do. We have had a great year full of continuing education course bringing additional specialized services to our patients. Most notably we have started providing a technique called trigger point dry needling. This technique is designed to target localized pain in trigger points when combined with manual therapy techniques provide instant relief. This technique is somewhat like acupuncture but when combined with manual therapy is tremendously effective in pain reduction. The needle provides local muscle fiber stretch and results in collagen reorganization and restoration of normal tissue tone in knotted up regions within the muscle itself. We have seen some amazing results with this technique.

We also have had some exciting changes with our staff.

 Carrie Matter (Anderson) MS, PT and her husband welcomed their first born, Liam in August. She has been on maternity leave since August but is planning to come back on a part time basis in January. Mom and baby are doing wonderfully. We are looking forward to her return in January!

To ensure there was no interruption of care with our patients we were excited to welcome Christy Lawson, PTA. She comes to us with 20 years of physical therapy experience. Her special interests include aquatic therapy, pelvic floor therapy for pelvic pain and incontinence, wound care and orthopedic manual therapy. She also has a great deal of experience in balance and gait training. She has been a great addition to our staff.

 Ashley Lyons (Dutro) PT, DPT continues to provide excellent patient centered treatments in orthopedics, gait/balance , vestibular therapy, headache sand craniofacial pain including tempormandibular joint therapy. She is also our new dry needling provider and is really excited about the fantastic results she has observed in her patients. She plans to continue her dry needling education in 2011.

 Amber Carpenter BS, MPT is our provider for specialty services in wound care, pelvic floor rehabilitation and pilates. She keeps busy providing wound care services to patients in their homes if they are unable to find appropriate transportation which is a tremendous service to our patients. More and more she is seeing patients respond positively to pelvic floor rehabilitation. Specifically, following internal manual therapy techniques, patients with multiple years of coccygeal pain are reporting relief for the first time and are able to sit comfortably for the first time in years!

We have had a wonderful year in 2010 and look forward to your continued support in 2011 in our mission to provide customized compassionate care to the members of our community.

Sincerely,
Amber, Ashley, Amy, Carrie, Charlene, Christy, Erin, Kelsey and Tina

Clinical roles
1. Modalities for patients
2. Clean Rooms, gym and equipment
3. Laundry
4. Remind patients to schedule their follow up appointment
5. Supply notification – if running low on anything must notify.
6. Water level in hydrocollator
7. Refill Gel
8. Tidy up
9. Magazine clean up and weed out
10. Electrode transfers to discharge
11. Answer phones
12. Help with any and all tasks that have yet to be completed.

 Please submit resume’s by email to acphysicaltherapy@gmail.com or by fax to 303-432-2296.

Ergonomic snow shovel

An ergonomic shovel will help prevent injury to your neck shoulders and back. Its worth the money to avoid needless injury because we all have to shovel during the winter season. It is important to be especially aware of your body mechanics during the spring because the snow is very wet and heavy. Rather than lifting the shovel, try to push the snow. Here is a link to an ergonomic snow shovel.

At AC Physical Therapy we utilize the reformer (pictured on the left) for rehabilitation based Pilates instruction.

Pilates teaches body awareness and posture with easy, graceful movements that improve flexibility, agility and motion.  Pilates is designed to develop a strong “core” or center of the body. The core consists of the deep abdominal muscles, and the muscles closest to the spine, which are critical to spinal health. The exercises are designed to develop core control while moving your arms and legs.

Pilates is safe, sensible exercise using a floor mat or specialized equipment. One piece of equipment is the Pilates reformer, which can be modified to provide the right amount of resistance or assistance for people of any age or fitness level. The reformer provides finely tuned exercise resistance that allows one to work very precisely to develop good alignment, core strength, and flexibility. No other exercise system is so gentle to your body while giving it a challenging workout. Many of the exercises are performed in reclining or sitting positions, and almost all are low impact and partially weight bearing for those recovering from surgery or with significant arthritis.

No matter age or condition, it can work for everyone. Pilates exercises train several muscle groups at once in smooth, continuous movements. By developing proper technique patients are actually re-training the body to move in safer, more efficient patterns of motion – invaluable for injury recovery, sports performance, good posture and optimal health.

In conventional workouts, weak muscles tend to get weaker and strong muscles tend to get stronger. The result is muscular imbalance – a primary cause of injury and chronic back pain. Pilates conditions the whole body, even the ankles and feet. The major benefit of Pilates is that it does not compartmentalize the injury; rather it works with the injured limb as it relates to the rest of the body. The body is an amazing machine requiring cooperation between all of the joints in the upper or lower extremity in order to achieve optimal performance. No muscle group is over trained or under trained. Musculature is evenly balanced and conditioned, helping patients enjoy daily activities and sports with greater ease and less chance of re-injury.

I’m not just another diagnosis. I am a patient and I am a person. I feel that Amber genuinely wants to see me get better and I trust that she can help me get there. – Gina B.

 

I came to Amber at AC Physical Therapy with complications about 9 months after I had a L5-S1 fusion. I spent most of that 9 months going from surgeon to doctors to a neurologist to a pain management specialist to a urologist, to a gynecologist.  They gave me pain meds and told me that I should get better in time. I was frustrated and miserable. I couldn’t drive, excercise, sit, clean, or even sleep with out being in pain. I was hurting all day every day even with the pain medication.  Amber was wonderful.  My case wasn’t an easy one. She tried different techniques all the time.  She would ask me every appointment how I was feeling from the last appoinment.  Depending on whether it was positive or negative feedback determined what we did that appointment. I won’t say that I am completely without pain, but I will say that I can do a lot of the things that I previously couldn’t do with out being in pain.  Thank you Amber for not giving up on me. — Teri

 

I was referred to Amber by my urologist, because even after surgery I was still plagued with urinary incontinence. Not the kind of problem I was comfortable talking about with others, let alone go to a physical therapist!!  When I met Amber the first time, I realized my anxiety was completely unfounded. Amber was compassionate, caring and very professional.  She made me feel at ease and took a lot of time to hear what was going on with me. She helped me to overcome my feelingsof shame, provided me with information and gave me practical things (like Kegels) to work on.  As a result of my treatments with Amber, I am happy to report that I am no longer a slave to the bathroom and Poise pads!  Amber sets the tone, and everyone in the office is a pleasure to work with.  I highly recommend Amber and her staff to anyone seeking physical therapy, especially for women suffering with urinary incontinence. -Michelle H

 

AC Physical Therapy provides care that is personalized, compassionate, goal oriented and effective. Amber Carpenter, the founder of AC  Physical Therapy, is a true professional.  Amber creatively applies her wealth of knowledge to develop customized treatment plans designed to address the patient’s specific needs and goals.

When I first saw Amber I was suffering from pelvic floor issues related to interstitial cystitis and a connective tissue disorder. I had been referred to AC Physical Therapy by my urologist who had told me; “Amber is the physical therapist that you want to see”.  My urologist specifically knew about Amber’s ability to effectively treat pelvic floor disorders.Amber’s first step was to thoroughly evaluate and document my medical history, symptoms and goals. She then developed a personalized treatment plan that would provide symptom relief and help me achieve my goals.
The result? Great symptom relief and the ability to discontinue the expensive medication and repeated visits to my urologist needed to help manage the painful symptoms of interstitial cystitis.

As an age category bicycle racer, I have also seen Amber for
wound care. Unfortunately, I crashed during a race this summer and suffered significant deep wounds to the left side of my body. Once again, it was AC Physical Therapy to the rescue! Amber and her team was able to effectively treat my wounds so that they would heal quickly so that I could get back on the
bike racing again. My testimonial concerning AC Physical Therapy would not be complete without mentioning the the wonderful office staff. Charlene always greets you with a smile and is an expert at negotiating through the often complicated and frustrating process of dealing with medical insurance. Charlene
always has the patients best interests at heart!Amber and her team at AC Physical Therapy truly has made a difference in my life! Thank you! —-Brian H

 

Carrie’s Testimonials

After having shoulder surgery in December, 2008, I started post surgical therapy with AC Physical Therapy.  The trick to getting better is a combination of a competent and positive therapist and a patient who is willing to complete the  home exercise program.  Carrie is a great and competent therapist who works in a very competent way and I listened to her advice and did the exercises.  This resulted in my best hitting year ever playing senior softball and I would highly recommend AC Physical Therapy! – Bob

Carrie has been treating my symptoms of spinal stenosis of both the lower back and neck for six years.  She is a highly competent, inspirational professional who treats both the body and the psyche. The regimen of therapy combined with a sensible exercise regimen have kept me hiking and otherwise enjoying a rewarding lifestyle which seemed out reach at the onset of my problems.   Her dedication to ongoing study in her field, and a deep concern for the welfare of her patients leads to the best possible outcome, within the limits of the problems being treated.  My wife and son have also benefited highly favorable results from her care.  — Jon, Sydney and Jim

Christy’s Testimonials

Thank you and your staff for the fine treatment (of my lower back problems) I just completed at AC Physical Therapy. I started feeling positive results from my very first visit, with continued improvement at every subsequent session. A special thanks to Christy who with her experience and professionalism, combined with her patient, good humor, positive manner has given me the knowledge and encouragement to continue my lower back strengthening and excercise program on my own.  —Richard D.

 

Just want it to be known that I am a huge SUCCESS story!  Amber and Christy are AMAZING THERAPISTS!  The entire staff treated me with respect, were generous and polite! Wish all Dr. offices were like YOU! I felt like a PERSON not just a number! I had a horrible skin INFECTION on my right hip from using an alcohol prep pad that was recalled by TRIAD.  But thanks to Amber, Christy and the great staff at ACPT, I healed in just 3 months!  With NO SURGERY!  They took such good care of me! Please please put it up so everyone can see? Want them to know just how GREAT you are!! — Jayme M

 

Letter of Appreciation:

To Amber Carpenter, Carrie Matter, Ashley Lyons, Christy Lawson, Charlene, Amy, Erin and Kelsey

I wish to express my appreciation for the outstanding performance of duty by all of you during my period of therapy from March 10, 2010 to August 11, 2011.

I witnessed first-hand the enthusiasm, professionalism, and empathy displayed not only to me, but also to all of my peers during my periods of treatment for three different injuries.  The performance was indiciative of a high state of training, emtremely cooperative attitude, willingness to work long hours, and a desire to help achieve the utmost improvement in the health of your patients.

Please express my thanks to all who made my period of treatment almost a joy. With such an attitude toward your duties, I am sure you all will have a most successful and satisfying career in your chosen profession.

Miss you all —-JM