Our motto at Clear Lake Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists (CLPTRS) is “Restoring Human Performance.” Everything we do centers on that goal. Sports injuries, work injuries, recovering from an accident, and post-op therapy are all reasons for receiving physical therapy. But what if you have day-to-day aches and pains that just won’t relent?

Dry needling is a service we offer at our Turtle Lake location. Tessa Traynor, DPT, is CLPTRS’s dry needling expert. And it can be a remarkably effective way to relieve pain. But what is it? How does it work? Let us tell you!

Dry needling is a well-researched technique to relieve pain and muscle tension. It involves a thin filiform needle. The needle penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points and muscular and connective tissues.

Sometimes when people hear ‘dry needling’ they think ‘acupuncture.’ While dry needling uses the same needles as acupuncture, the primary difference lies in their philosophies. Acupuncture, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, promotes energy flow. Dry needling zeroes in on trigger points within muscles, akin to ‘muscle knots.’ Tessa emphasizes that dry needling also promotes increased blood flow to the targeted tissue, expediting the healing process.

So how does dry needling benefit patients? Tessa explains, “Dry needling benefits patients by targeting trigger points within muscles that cause increased pain.” By reducing tension in the muscles and triggering the inflammatory process, dry needling facilitates healing by promoting blood flow and delivering essential nutrients to the affected areas. The result is akin to a deep tissue massage, but with a quicker and more effective process.

People seek dry needling primarily for pain relief, especially when it originates from muscular sources. Tessa notes that she commonly treats conditions such as tennis elbow, neck pain targeting the upper trapezius muscle, low back pain, and hip pain.

Tessa’s interest in dry needling grew during her education at UW-La Crosse, where the technique was integrated into her training. “I became interested after feeling the effects on myself,” she shares. The personal experience of tension relief fueled her desire to provide the same relief to her future patients. Tessa began practicing dry needling in August 2023. Her joy in providing this service is evident in the positive responses from patients. “Most of my patients respond well after a few sessions,” she notes.

With a foundation in Western medicine principles, Tessa’s expertise in dry needling offers patients a path to faster and more effective relief, unlocking the body’s innate healing capabilities. If you would like to know more about dry needling and what it might do for your chronic pain, we encourage you to call our Turtle Lake office at 715-986-4103.

Physical therapy isn’t just about helping people recover from injuries or rehab after surgery; it’s also a powerful force driving economic growth. When someone has surgery, is injured, or faces chronic health issues, physical therapy steps in not only to heal but also to boost the economy. Let’s explore how physical therapy supports individuals and communities, making a significant impact on our lives and our towns.

At Clear Lake Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists (CLPTRS) we contribute to both individual lives and the prosperity of the communities of Amery, Clear Lake, Prairie Farm, and Turtle Lake, as well as the communities surrounding our four clinics. We do this through fueling the economy, reducing long-term healthcare costs, promoting community well-being, and serving student athletes and athletic programs.

One of the essential roles of physical therapy is in the workplace. Imagine if someone hurts their back and can’t work. CLPTRS physical therapists help our patients get better quicker, ensuring employees can return to their jobs faster. When people can work efficiently, businesses do better, leading to more productivity. This increased productivity means more money flowing into the economy, benefiting everyone.

Physical therapy also significantly reduces long-term healthcare costs. By treating issues early on, physical therapists prevent health problems from getting worse. When problems escalate, they often require expensive surgeries or long hospital stays. Our therapists at CLPTRS help stop these issues from becoming major, costly concerns. This not only saves individuals from hefty medical bills, but also reduces the burden on the entire healthcare system.

But physical therapy doesn’t stop at individuals; it positively affects entire communities. With clinics in Amery, Clear Lake, Prairie Farm, and Turtle Lake, we serve these towns and surrounding communities. By focusing on prevention and helping people recover, physical therapy creates healthier neighborhoods. When people in a community are healthier, they don’t need to visit the doctor or the hospital as often. This means medical resources can be used for more critical situations. It also creates a ripple effect – healthier people can work better, take care of their families, and contribute positively to society.

Over the years, we have hosted the annual FastBreak 5k, raising thousands of dollars for Clear Lake High School Athletics. The funds we have raised, while promoting community wellness, have eased the school district’s budget. This has afforded the district more equipment, safety, and transportation that benefit student athletes.

With more than a dozen employees, CLPTRS is proud to create jobs for our community. Skilled physical therapists and support staff live in and around the four towns that are home to our clinics. CLPTRS is part of our local economic engine, driving growth and prosperity.

Physical therapy is a crucial aspect of healthcare that often gets clouded by misconceptions and myths. These misunderstandings can keep people from seeking the help they need, resulting in prolonged pain, decreased mobility, and missed opportunities for recovery.

At Clear Lake Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists (CLPTRS) we like to serve our past, current, and future patients by providing correct information. We believe the more educated you are about what physical therapy can do for you, the better decisions you can make when it comes to your health and well-being.

Let’s look at some of the most common myths about physical therapy and shed light on the vital role it plays in improving the lives of countless individuals.

Myth 1: You need a doctor’s referral for physical therapy!

While many people assume they must see a doctor before consulting a physical therapist, this isn’t the case. In Wisconsin, you can seek the services of a physical therapist without a doctor’s referral. And if you do see a doctor, you do not need to use the physical therapy services they are affiliated with or suggest. You are always free to choose your physical therapist.

Myth 2: Physical therapy is painful!

Some individuals may shy away from physical therapy because they fear it will be painful. Physical therapists are highly trained professionals who use a variety of techniques and exercises tailored to your needs and comfort level. The goal is to alleviate pain, restore function, and improve your quality of life, not to cause additional discomfort.

Myth 3: Physical therapy is only for post-surgery recovery!

Physical therapy is not exclusively for post-surgery recovery. While it plays a crucial role in helping individuals recuperate after surgical procedures, it is equally effective in managing and preventing a wide range of non-surgical conditions. From chronic pain management to injury, physical therapy offers comprehensive care for various health issues.

Myth 4: Physical therapy is only for athletes!

Contrary to popular belief, physical therapy is not just for elite athletes recovering from sports injuries. While athletes can benefit greatly from PT, we are a versatile healthcare profession that caters to people of all ages and activity levels. Whether you’re an office worker with back pain or a senior citizen looking to maintain independence, physical therapy can help you.

Whether you’re someone with an upcoming surgery, tired of nursing an old joint injury, or a looking to safely go about your daily life, physical therapy can be a key part of your healthcare journey. Don’t let misconceptions hold you back from the incredible benefits that physical therapy can offer.

Even though the calendar says it’s August and summer is winding down, we still have a long time before cold weather settles into Western Wisconsin. Until it’s time to pull out the winter boots, many people continue to wear flip-flops and sandals.

We all love the feeling of freedom that flip-flops and sandals offer during the warm months. But did you know the wrong choice of shoes can lead to foot pain and discomfort? Fear not, though, as physical therapy from Clear Lake Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists (CLPTRS) might hold the key to finding relief and making the most of these last few warm weeks.

How do flip-flops affect our bodies? As we walk, our feet naturally help distribute impact and maintain our balance. However, flip-flops offer minimal support, throwing off our body’s natural alignment. Over time, this can lead to stress and strain on various parts of our feet, legs, and back. Flip-flops tend to have flat, thin soles and lack arch support. Which can lead to plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, knee pain, and back pain. But don’t despair as physical therapy has proven to be an effective remedy.

Let’s look at how physical therapy at CLPTRS can come to the rescue and help ease the pain caused by these flimsy summer fashion staples.

Our physical therapists are well-versed in designing exercises that target specific muscles affected by flip-flop use. These exercises help strengthen the foot, ankle, and leg muscles, providing the support needed to combat the strain from wearing sandals.

We can also teach patients stretching exercises that promote flexibility in calf muscles and the plantar fascia. This reduces the risk of injuries caused by insufficient footwear.

One of the greatest benefits of physical therapy is the personalized approach. Our skilled therapists can conduct a biomechanical analysis of your walking and standing patterns, identifying any issues. By understanding your unique mechanics, we can tailor a treatment plan that targets your specific needs.

While we adore the ease and style of these summer icons, flip-flops can bring unwanted pain and discomfort. Thankfully, physical therapy offers a holistic approach to counter the negative effects of wearing them too much.

Remember, it’s essential to listen to your body. So, if you’re experiencing pain, whether it’s from your choice of footwear or something else, please call CLPTRS to schedule a consultation. You do not need a doctor’s recommendation or referral to see us. The phone number of our Clear Lake location is 715-263-4103. If you call and live closer to one of our other locations, we would be happy to help you schedule an appointment at one of our clinics in Amery, Turtle Lake, or Prairie Farm.

At Clear Lake Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists (CLPTRS) we are certainly known for providing physical therapy to our patients before or after surgery or because of an accident, or athletic training services after a sport-related injury. But did you know that we also work with a variety of local businesses?

CLPTRS is a destination clinic for management and treatment of the injured worker. We have made this part of our practice an added part of education and training for all of our provider staff for best practices and industry support. One of CLPTRS’s goals in treating our community members is to help local businesses reduce the costs incurred through injury prevention programs and return any injured workers back to employment in a safe and timely manner. We call this Industrial Rehab.

A big part of Industrial Rehab is caring for those injured on the job. Workers’ compensation patients are one of the many demographics of patients we serve at CLPTRS.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system designed to provide benefits to employees who are injured or become ill because of their employment activities. Businesses purchase workers’ compensation insurance and provide wage replacement and medical benefits to employees.

February 3^rd,  the CLPTRS staff had an all-day training session on how our physical therapist and athletic trainer can best serve those injured on the job. The training was conducted by OccuPro, a software company that CLPTRS uses.

OccuPro is a company that has developed software specifically for physical therapists and athletic trainers that treat those with workplace injuries. Their technology provides CLPTRS with aspects of patient care we need, such as return-to-work reports, programs to bill insurance companies, a network of locations that perform pre-employment testing, and injury prevention software.

Presented by Jim Mecham from OccuPro, our staff went through the course with physical therapists from Optimum Therapies, a PT provider with four offices in our surrounding communities.

During the training, our staff learned about the best ways to manage workers’ compensation cases. At CLPTRS, we take pride in being a leader in the area on ways to best manage this demographic. We place a top priority on working closely with both the patient, their physician, and the employer. This “teamwork” style of care is necessary to return injured employees to work as quickly and safely as possible. This benefits both the employee and the employer.

Through our Industrial Rehab services, we give employers the tools to keep their workforce healthy and safe. And we give employees tools to know how to remain safe and healthy on the job.

Please call us at 715-263-4103 if you are an employer who needs information or education on the following areas: on-site safety and injury prevention, on-location ergonomic assessments, post-offer/pre-employment testing and drug testing, early intervention rehabilitation.

When Emily Monson was growing up in Clayton, she never imagined she would serve her beloved hometown and surrounding communities with a physical therapy practice. She began her practice in Turtle Lake. A second location was then added in Clear Lake in 2009. The most recent and third location, in Amery, opened in July of 2021. And now, we are expanding to Prairie Farm!

As we continue to grow, a fourth office will be coming to Prairie Farm this upcoming spring.

CLPTRS is pleased to expand to this quaint town, nestled in the hills of Western Wisconsin. Several of our staff, including Kyle Larson, Tina Siebert, and Chloe Singerhouse have close ties to Prairie Farm. And they are excited for the opportunity to serve a community that means so much to them.

Kyle will be the lead physical therapist at this new clinic location. Kyle grew up and went to school in Clayton, WI. He was an avid athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. Kyle became interested in physical therapy after being a patient at Turtle Lake Physical Therapy & Rehab specialists due to a basketball injury. After high school, he continued with sports in college and played football at UW-Stevens Point. He then continued to grad school at the College of St. Scholastica where he received his doctorate in physical therapy.

As our reach goes farther into more communities, we need more staff to serve these new areas. Our current locations in Turtle Lake, Clear Lake, and Amery also continue to grow in staff numbers. Part of CLPTRS’s company vision is to serve not only our communities through patient care, but to also provide employment opportunities.

Our practice is more than just the physical therapists providing care. It takes an entire team of “behind the scenes” office staff to keep appointments, billing, and customer service up to the high standard we set for ourselves.

As we expand the area of Western Wisconsin that we serve, we will be looking for the right people to add to our customer-focused and quality staff. We will need both physical therapist candidates and office support staff.

For physical therapists, experienced clinicians as well as new or upcoming graduates are encouraged to apply. For office staff, we look for those who can thrive as a part of our solid team of employees who are valued and appreciated for their strong work ethic.

Serving smaller communities through premium therapy care, giving back to the community, and a personal touch are what CLPTRS is all about. So, we are delighted to be moving into the Prairie Farm area soon to serve the community there.

If you would like more information about our new location or would like to apply to become part of the CLPTRS team, please call our Clear Lake office at 715-263-4103.