Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the prevention, treatment, and management of movement disorders resulting from injury, disease, or disability.

Myrtue Medical Center is proud to provide a wide variety of therapy services both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Physical therapists use a variety of up-to-date evidence-based techniques such as exercise, manual therapy, and modalities like heat and cold to help patients reduce pain, improve physical function, and restore mobility. They work with individuals of all ages and with a wide range of conditions, from athletes recovering from sports injuries to older adults dealing with chronic pain or recovering from surgery.

Myrtue's Physical Therapy Certified Specialities:

• Aquatic Therapy
• ASTYM
• Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
• Cardio / Pulmonary Physical Therapy
• Chronic Pain
• Concussion Management
• Fall Prevention / Balance Disorder
• Functional Dry Needling
• Home Health
• Inpatient Physical Therapy
• LSVT Big and Loud Parkinson's Management
• Lymphedema Management
• Neurological Rehabilitation
• Oncology Physical Therapy
• Orthopedics
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Sport Medicine
• Vestibular Rehabilitation
• Women's Health
• Wound Care

To learn more about Myrtue's Physical Therapy services, or to schedule an appointment, please call 712.755.4342.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation, also known as respiratory or lung conditioning, is a type of physical therapy that focuses on improving the function and efficiency of the respiratory system. It involves a series of exercises and techniques designed to strengthen the muscles associated with breathing, increase lung capacity, and enhance oxygen exchange. Pulmonary rehabilitation is often recommended for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), or those recovering from lung surgery or injury. The goal is to improve overall lung health, reduce breathlessness, and enhance the individual's ability to perform daily activities without undue fatigue or discomfort.

Myrtue's Pulmonary Rehabilitation specialists address the needs of a wide variety of pulmonary conditions, the most common of which are:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Pre and Post Lung Transplant
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Pulmonary Hypertension

This program is initially designed for a patient to meet with their therapist two to three times per week for up to 12 weeks, but the frequency and duration will be tailored to meet the specific needs of the patient. During a patient's session, deficits that patients frequently develop are addressed and treated such as:

• Decreased walking distances
• Decreased strength
• Poor balance placing the patient at risk for falls
• Pain in common places such as shoulders, back, hips, and knees
• Breathing pattern disorders

Treatments focus on aerobic training with a main emphasis on improving a patient’s ability to walk, recumbent stepper and bicycle, strengthening, balancing, and breathing exercises. Close monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation are being watched during patient’s treatment, and if the patient uses supplementary oxygen, this will be adjusted to ensure the patient is exercising as a safe level.

Women's Health Physical Therapy

Women's Health Physical Therapy is here to improve your quality of life by decreasing your episodes of incontinence, decreasing the number of times you have to use the bathroom per day, improving any pain that limits you from performing the activities that you want, preparing your body for labor, and helping recover postpartum. This service addresses undesired issues including, but not limited to:

• Incontinence
• Pelvic pressure or heaviness
• Pelvic pain
• Increased bladder frequency
• Pain during pregnancy
• Tailbone pain
• Bowel Dysfunction

Women’s Health and Prenatal Physical Therapists uniquely tailor each patient’s session to best help work towards the patient’s goals. This is not a one size fits all service.

Women's Health Physical Therapy services are referral based. Talk to your Primary Care Physician or OB/GYN if you believe this is a service that may benefit you. You can call 712.755.4342 with any questions.

Women's Health Appointment Outlook

Patients will perform a muscle assessment at their first appointment to determine the best treatment for their specific case. They will also go over medical history and possible past injuries. Patients should wear comfortable clothing.

Prenatal Physical Therapy

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery can be very trying on a woman’s body. Prenatal Physical Therapy involves stretches, breathing, and exercise techniques to help prevent long-term impacts that could occur during or after delivery. Myrtue offers prenatal physical therapy consultations to all patients to help prepare each woman for her labor and delivery.

Goals for Prenatal Physical Therapy:

• Prevent injuries or address common pregnancy complaints
• Educate on labor and birth positions and relaxation techniques
• Empower women to improve the likelihood of the birth they desire
• Reduce the risk of tearing through exercise techniques
• Educate on postpartum recovery
• Provide breath work techniques to help during labor

Prenatal Appointment Outlook

During a prenatal consultation, Tina or Claire will teach the expecting mother stretches and position changes she can use to alleviate some of pregnancy’s discomforts. They will also instruct and walk through stretches and exercises that promote proper positioning of the baby and result in optimal labor progression working towards the goal of a vaginal delivery.

For her consultation, a patient should wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows for optimal movement. Also, consider bringing along a support person who will help with these stretches and exercises outside of the appointment.