Accelerating healing

THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL THERAPY and SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGY

Vicki Nordman can play with her grandkids on the floor. And confidently get up.

In June 2018, Nordman could barely stand when she met with ProRehab physical therapist Heather England, who immediately offered her a walker. Recently diagnosed with diabetes, Nordman was rapidly losing strength in her legs. A bad fall November 2018 precipitated an 11-day stay at Mayo Clinic, where she was diagnosed with lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy.

Nerve damage left her unable to even lift her feet.

Nordman underwent 12 cortisone infusions and resumed therapy with England in April 2019. Whatever function she did not regain within the next two years would be permanently lost.

Soon after, Nordman progressed to using a cane. And in October, she walked without it.

“I would not be where I am today without Heather’s help,” says Nordman, 61, who resides in Fargo with her husband, Dale.

“We truly are the place people come for musculoskeletal needs,” England says.

ProRehab is an independent physical and occupational therapy clinic that provides safe, gentle therapy. Its new 7,000-square-feet facility in south Fargo features state-of-the-art technology. The space also allows ProRehab to offer fitness classes to help patients who have completed rehab to continue their wellness journey.

After years of working for large clinics and corporate health systems, physical therapists

Lynden Kurtz and Tom Baumgartner founded ProRehab in 2001 to deliver personalized results-focused therapy. They invited England, who had joined ProRehab in 2002, to become an owner in 2011.

Today, ProRehab’s medical staff consists of nine physical therapists, of which six are women, two physical therapist assistants and three occupational therapists, all women. Most of the therapists have earned their doctorate or master’s degrees. And ProRehab brings in experts for ongoing training.

Not surprisingly, ProRehab is a leading force in therapy in the region offering exceptional therapy and specialized technology to accelerate healing. For example, ProRehab was the first private practice in Fargo to offer the AlterG, an antigravity treadmill. This technology helps post-surgical patients get back on their feet more quickly by re-establishing muscle memory and getting their mechanics back. Likewise, athletes can train unweighted while working through an injury.

Physical therapists provide the latest in successful therapy, including cupping, Graston, strain counterstrain, the Lordex Spine System (low back decompression and strength restoration) and integrative dry needling, to name just a few. They also provide specialty women’s services for osteoporosis, incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. In addition, therapists provide one-on-one aquatic therapy at Fargo’s Touchmark.

From infants to seniors, occupational therapists help patients to develop, recover or maintain optimal daily living skills. They help children with disabilities participate in school, support older adults facing physical and cognitive changes, assist patients with lymphedema care, and perform ergonomic assessments in the workplace.

Most health insurance plans allow for direct access to therapists.

“From the front desk staff to the therapists, we complement each other in experience and personalities,” England says. “We all have a passion to help people get better, out of pain and functioning to where they were before injury.”

Nordman agrees, “ProRehab is like family almost. You just feel welcome.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION about ProRehab, call 701-451-9417 or visit prorehabfargo.com