Beech Tree News Network

Casie Stivers, physical therapist, recently joined the staff at Orthopedics Plus Physical Therapy. She recently took part in a Q & A interview regarding her profession and her position at OPPT.  Here it is:  

 

I have been a physical therapist for over 4 years now. I received bachelors degrees in both Biology & Exercise Science from Western KY University in Bowling Green, KY in 2013. I then attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN and received my doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2016. I have had experience in a variety of setting ranging from outpatient, hospital-based settings and home health. My passion and love has always been outpatient orthopedics and most of my training and education has been centered around this. When I am not in the clinic, my husband, Jesse, and I enjoy spending time with our 5 month old daughter, Isla. We also are very active and enjoy doing Crossfit in our home garage gym and attending classes at Orange Theory Fitness in Bowling Green. 

 

- Why be a PT? How is it rewarding? What is most enjoyable?

 

I always tell people that I have the most fun and rewarding job ever! I knew that I wanted to be a PT after  my grand father suffered a stroke. I was able to see how therapy helped him regain his independence and I knew that I wanted to help others do the same. 

 

In the clinic, Everyday is new and challenging. The most enjoyable part of my job is helping people reach a new goal or milestone that they weren’t able to do beforehand. I love watching people reach their goals and being their cheerleader along the way. I always tell my patients that their success is based on their work. I just simply tell them how to get there but they are the ones putting in all the hard work. 

 

 

 

I see a wide variety of patients in the clinic ranging from post operative orthopedic surgeries, low back pain, headaches and neck pain, vertigo, and neurological conditions including Stroke and Parkinson’s. I also perform trigger point dry needling, which is a specialized skill used to alleviate musculoskeletal pain and improve mobility. I am currently taking continuing education courses through the McKenzie Institute and learning how to empower and effectively  treat patients who suffer from mechanical musculoskeletal pain, including: chronic and acute low back pain, neck pain, and headaches. My goal is to continue my education and receive certification through this institute, which few clinicians in our state have. I also took a few continuing education courses on how to safely manage patients and  continue exercise during pregnancy and postpartum. As I mentioned, fitness is very important to me and I wanted to remain very active during my pregnancy with my daughter and share that knowledge with other active mommy’s! 

 

 

I chose Orthopedics Plus and Med Center health for a variety of reasons. After having my daughter, I wanted to get back to the community that I love. There is something so special about treating in your home town! You feel like your treating your family, and in some instances you are! Med center also has a variety of clinicians that specialize in different conditions and skill sets . They offer a lot of opportunities for learning and developing skill sets as a clinician.