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Welcome Nikki Kimball, MSPT to the Excel PT Team!

By Tiffany Coletta
tiffany@excelptmt.com

Excel Physical Therapy team is proud to welcome Nikki Kimball, MSPT to the team. One-on-one specialized physical therapy with the ultra running expert dedicated to helping people.

Nikki Kimball is a Physical Therapist, Runner’s World Health Advisory Board Member, 2008-2016, Professional Runner, and a RRCA Certified Running Coach.

Nikki specializes in the treatment in running injuries and has been treating runners since 1999. She graduated with her MS degree in physical therapy from Arcadia University in 1998 and won the school’s Health Sciences’ Alumni Achievement Award in 2017 for her work integrating professional running, physical therapy and advocacy for people with mental illness. She is certified in ASTYM soft tissue mobilization and in dry needling. She has been an expedition physical therapist for running events in Africa, China and India.

Prior to her professional running career, Nikki was a cross country skier and biathlete. She raced NCAA Division I for Williams College where she won the Alumnae Ski Award two times. In 2018 she won the Distinguished Alumni Award at Holderness School for her using her athletic achievements as a platform to provide service “for the betterment of humankind” in areas of advocacy for health care and gender equity. She is a three-time North American Ultrarunner of the Year and three-time United States Track and Field Association Ultrarunner of the Year. She has won 11 National Championship titles and has been named to 14 US National Teams across three athletic disciplines.

Nikki presents on exercise prescription and physical therapy at psychiatric and adventure sports medicine conferences on the west coast and Rocky Mountain states. She has spoken professionally about running and injury prevention on three continents and at the US Embassy in Beijing, China. She has published articles in major print sports magazines in Asia, Europe and the US, including 13 pieces on injury prevention for Runner’s World. She has appeared in various films including a starring role in the regional Emmy winning feature, Finding Traction

Her treatment philosophy is to combine her physical therapy training and continuing education with decades of practical experience as a high-level competitor and coach to achieve the best possible results, particularly in the realm of complex running injury. When not working or adventuring, Nikki enjoys archery, wire sculpting, and cooking at home with her friends and pets.

Call the Excel Physical Therapy Bozeman office, 406-556-0562 to schedule your physical therapy appointment with Nikki.

 

Jackie Oliver adds OCS to Physical Therapy Title...Team Excel is Celebrating!

By Tiffany Coletta
tiffany@excelptmt.com

 

 

Jackie Oliver, DPT, OCS passed the rigorous Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) examination in March 2019. Orthopaedics is the specialty dealing with the musculoskeletal system: bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and joints. This examination covered everything pertaining to orthopaedic physical therapy from head to toe. In order to sit for the exam one must have completed at least 2,000 hours of direct orthopaedic patient care within the last 10 years or have completed a post-professional residency in the field or orthopaedics.  

The Orthopedics Clinical Specialist (OCS) advanced certification is coordinated by The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists (ABPTS). The organization oversees a specialist certification process from the nine different specialties one can attain within the realm of physical therapy.  The ABPTS mission is “to advance the profession of physical therapy by establishing, maintaining, and promoting standards of excellence for clinical specialization, and by recognizing the advanced knowledge, skills and experience by physical therapist practitioners through specialist credentialing.”

Under the ABPTS advanced certification programs, we have 1 Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (Jason Lunden) and 2 Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialists (Megan Peach and Jackie Oliver). As of 2018, there are only 86 Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialists in the State of Montana, making this designation a well respected and prestigious title.  Excel Physical Therapy’s team values incorporate investing in and encouraging advanced training and certifications for all of our physical therapy providers to help ensure excellent care and outcomes for our clients. 

How to Build Muscle Faster: Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

By Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS
jason@excelptmt.com

Blood flow restriction training (BFR) is a relatively new technique being used in physical therapy and gyms to increase muscle strength.  We have been using BFR therapy at Excel Physical Therapy with promising results.   BFR therapy utilizes compressive forces from a specialized blood pressure cuff to restrict venous blood flow from a muscle group while allowing for continued arterial blood flow to the muscle.   The result of the restricted venous blood flow is a state of ischemia to the exercising muscle.  Exercising in a state of ischemia seems to cause a physiological cascade that results in increased signaling that promotes muscle growth, even at lower loads on the muscle. 

Utilizing BFR under careful supervision of a physical therapist, allows one to prevent muscle atrophy and increase muscular growth and strength while recovering from injury or surgery.   BFR is not a panacea and therefore is just one component of a proper rehabilitation program.  The ability of BFR to stimulate muscle growth at lower loads of resistance make it a perfect modality to consider for the earlier stages of rehabilitation.   To learn more about BFR therapy and to see if it would be appropriate for you, be sure to ask your physical therapist here at Excel Physical Therapy

 

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Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS specializes in the rehabilitation and prevention of sports-related injuries, with a particular interest in the biomechanics of sporting activities – running, cycling, skiing, snowboarding and overhead athletics. Jason serves as a physical therapist for the US Snowboarding and US Freeskiing teams, along with the US Paralympic Nordic Ski Team, and is a local and national presenter on sports rehabilitation and injury prevention topics. Jason is a Certified Clinical BikeFit Pro Fitter.

Advanced Training...we're at it again! Jackie Oliver, DPT completes shoulder and knee course in Seattle

By Jackie Oliver, DPT
jackie@excelptmt.com

Jackie Oliver, DPTphysical therapist with Excel Physical Therapy of Bozeman and Manhattan, recently completed the Kevin Wilk Shoulder and Knee Course in Seattle, Washington. This advanced-training course presented the most recent, relevant and state-of-the-art treatment options for the most challenging and unusual problems of the shoulder and knee joints. This evidence-based course also focused on the most comprehensive and effective information regarding shoulder and knee post-operative treatment as well as rehabilitation tactics for general knee and shoulder pain. Kevin Wilk is our country’s leading authority in sports and orthopedic injury rehabilitation.

Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS attends US Ski & Snowboard Class at the USSA Center of Excellence

By Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS
jason@excelptmt.com

Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS, of Excel Physical Therapy, recently attended the US Ski & Snowboard Team Medical Emergencies in Skiing and Snowboarding (MESS) Course at the USSA Center of Excellence in Park City, UT. The course focused on concussion evaluation, management and rehabilitation, as well as athlete development for ski and snowboard athletes.   Jason is an owner and physical therapist with Excel Physical Therapy of Bozeman and Manhattan, and he volunteers as a physical therapist for the US Ski & Snowboard Teams.

Advanced training...we're at it again!

By Tiffany Coletta
tiffany@excelptmt.com

Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Jackie Oliver, DPT

Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS and Jackie Oliver, DPTphysical therapists with Excel Physical Therapy of Bozeman and Manhattan, recently completed the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT) Lumbopelvic Spine Course in Seattle, Washington.

The main objective of this course was to guide evaluation and management of treatment programs for people with low back pain or other serious pathologies in the lumbopelvic region. NAIOMT is dedicated to providing physical therapy continuing education coursework that emphasizes biomechanics and mobilization/manipulation while providing a diverse education on interventions for manual physical therapists.

Advanced Training News…we’re at it again!

By Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS
megan@excelptmt.com

Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS, physical therapist with Excel Physical Therapy of Bozeman and Manhattan, recently completed a three day course titled, “Manual Therapy and Pregnancy: An Integrative Approach” in Portland, Oregon. This course, through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT), focused on the physical and physiological changes during pregnancy with an objective to gain knowledge and tools for treating the pregnant patient using manual therapy techniques that are safe for both mother and baby. This course also covered up to date exercise guidelines for the pregnant population and tools for the physical therapist to use during pregnancy as well as in the postpartum period to reduce pain and improve function.

Advanced Training News...we're at it again!

By Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS
jason@excelptmt.com

Jason Lunden, physical therapist and co-owner of Excel Physical Therapy of Bozeman and Manhattan, Montana, recently completed Rehabilitation of the Injured Runner: An Evidence-based Approach course held at the University of Minnesota.  Hosted by the American Physical Therapy Association, the course focused on runner-specific treatment, including gait analysis and runner drills, for running injuries.

Advanced Training News…we’re at it again!

By Tiffany Coletta
tiffany@excelptmt.com

David Coletta performing a bike fitting David Coletta, physical therapist and co-owner of Excel Physical Therapy of Bozeman and Manhattan, recently completed the BikeFit Clinical Level 2 advanced training in Seattle, Washington.  His instruction included upper level road bike fitting and tri-bike/time trial bike fitting.  David provides bike fitting services out of the Bozeman location and offers both health insurance billing and cash pay options. 

"Megan helped me return to the activities I love after a badly broken leg. I am running, skiing, and biking again thanks to her!" -- L.S., Bozeman Patient

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