Coach Amy Coach Amy

An Interview with Coach Amy

Once in a while, after a treatment session, I will ask a patient, “how much do I owe you for today?” 
— Coach Amy

Coach Amy answers common patient queries about her path into the wide world of healthcare and the physical therapy profession.

Did you always plan to work in healthcare? 

No, I was a journalism major, and as a sophomore in college, I realized that career would not fulfill my desire to help people - I didn't feel it would be rewarding for me. So I took a 180 and became a pre-med student. All those journalism and marketing classes went by the wayside, but I retained some communication and writing skills, which have served me well in running a business. Plus, destiny played a role in my career; I remember as a child tending to my neighborhood friends with Bactine and Bandaids in my bathroom "clinic" if they ever sustained even the slightest scrape! 

When did you decide to become a Physical Therapist? 

I graduated from the University of Kansas as a pre-med student with a major in human biology and a minor in chemistry which I still can't believe because I was not fond of chemistry. But to satisfy the requirements for medical school, I took enough to qualify for a minor.

After graduating, I married and took a gap year before it was commonplace. It was primarily to study for the MCAT, but I also questioned my career path: was it one where I could also raise a family? I was fortunate enough to secure a job as a Physical Therapist Technician or PT Tech during that time. And I liked the profession so much that I ditched the MCAT for the GMAT and applied to PT school. Funnily enough, it was harder to get into PT school than medical school because fewer spots were available then. I remember being notified that I was accepted to the KU Med physical therapy master’s program. I was elated!

Why did you decide to open a private practice? 

Starting my physical therapy practice was unplanned; I never envisioned it for myself. But the timing was right in my personal and professional life. With the current state of healthcare creating pressures and pinches on how a physical therapist practices, I thought about retiring but decided to try instead to provide quality care in a way that I was proud of, and it ended up working out! I couldn't have succeeded without the support of my family, friends, and patients, and I am grateful to them every single day. I get to do what I want, how I want, and I treasure that. 

How did you choose the specialty of orthopedics and sports injury? 

I think it chose me! My plan in physical therapy school was to become a pediatric specialist. However, after one 6-week rotation at Children's Mercy, I realized I didn't have the creative stamina to keep up. Pediatric physical therapists are a unique breed with incredible energy.  

Instead, I unceremoniously landed in outpatient orthopedics, where I honed my manual skills while, at the same time, my love of running and endurance sports rekindled. About a decade later, my coach and former KU physical therapy classmate, Steve Hinman, retired and entrusted me with his established running club business, Personal Best Running and Fitness, now Roadrunners of Kansas City. This surprise gift led me down a path I couldn't have imagined. Endurance athletes began to seek me out for coaching and treating their injuries because I understood the sport professionally and personally. I would never have predicted the marriage of my love of running and endurance sports with my professional life. It chose me, and I'm so lucky! 

Do you treat conditions and injuries that are not running-related or sports-related? 

Oh, yes! I get this question a lot from current patients who want to refer their mother, brother, parent, friend, etc., who has an injury or chronic pain that isn't sport-related. My specialty is treating musculoskeletal injuries, encompassing many issues plaguing nonathletes and athletes. My niche is running and endurance sports, but I relish treating conditions outside that bubble because it provides me a lot of variety. 

How can you see problems with running form without taking a video? 

I get this question from students of physical therapy. I remember that sense of amazement and frustration as a student and a new grad. I'd watch seasoned physical therapists assessing walking and running gait and couldn't see what they saw; it seemed they were making stuff up. It took lots and lots of practice. It helped to take video at first, so I could rewind, pause and replay. But after a while, picking things out became more natural and easy.

Now, my brain translates what is happening in real time in slow motion. If I were a student reading this, I'd want to punch me in the face, but trust me - it comes with time and lots of consistent practice. Infrequently assessing run gait will not do it. But on the flip side, the more you study it, the more you realize that the science of running gait is a vast universe we have yet to understand fully. So, there is some "winging it," but when you fit the gait assessment in with the other puzzle pieces gleaned from an evaluation, it begins to take enough shape to make informed decisions for a patient. Warning: once you become a seasoned gait assessor, you'll find you can't turn it off; I struggle to ignore it when I run a race or attend a race to cheer!

What is your favorite part of being a physical therapist? 

That is a two-parter. First, I like when a problematic case throws me a challenge. I enjoy solving a puzzle no one else has or at least fitting in more of the pieces. In other words, I like when I can help a patient improve who otherwise wasn't. 

Second, I enjoy developing relationships and spending time with my patients, which is only possible because I own my practice. In today's healthcare environment, most physical therapists only perform evaluations and monthly reassessments. They don't get the luxury of treating their patients; if they do, they may treat 2-3 patients simultaneously. Spending quality time with patients improves their outcomes and helps me - they have much advice and experience to share. Once in a while, after a treatment session, I will ask a patient, "how much do I owe you for today?" 

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Unveiling New Technology

I exercise prudence when introducing modern technology in my practice of physical therapy; I need to see compelling research proving that a given treatment modality produces results I can't otherwise achieve with current methods.

After a deep dive into peer-reviewed research, I'm confident that this new FDA-approved device will complement my current treatment methods, decrease acute and chronic pain, accelerate healing, and deliver improved outcomes, especially when combined with a thorough biomechanics evaluation and addressing the issues that caused an injury in the first place.

What is it, you ask? Ah, well, I'm not going to reveal that yet because, as most of you already know, I'm all about the thorough education of my patients! I want to provide you with a complete understanding of what it is and is not. An internet search can lead to a wealth of confusing information, at best, and, at worst, false statements and information. Stay tuned for educational blog posts and announcements…

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Reno Complete!

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
— Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Patience is not one of my strong suits. Because of that, I appreciate yours even more. Thank you for enduring the temporary space's not-so-pretty environs and temperamental conditions. Your loyalty to CoachAmyPT warms my heart.

And the wait is finally over. We are excited to announce the completion of our reno project! We are moving back into our permanent digs at 4573 Indian Creek Parkway and will begin seeing patients and teaching classes in our beautifully refreshed space starting March 6th. An open house event is in the works. Stay tuned for details and an invitation.

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Calf Strain and Pain

Calf Injury

Calf strains and pains are common in runners and sports requiring jumping. Mild calf pain due to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) may occur with overuse, a long run, or speedwork. But a "pull" or strain feeling that persists for more than two days could be a Grade 1 calf strain. A severe, slow gripping and grabbing pain in the calf during a run or a shotgun-type sharp pain with a pop in the back of your lower leg may indicate a more severe injury involving muscle tears. 

The most frequent question from injured athletes is, "How long will it take to heal, and when can I return to sport?" The amount of time it takes to heal and return to sport depends upon the severity of your strain. So we must start with an evaluation. 

If you have pain in your calf, follow Coach Amy's acute injury steps and schedule an appointment with Coach Amy

Evaluation of Injury

Coach Amy will evaluate your injury to determine which calf muscle group you injured and assess the severity so she can prescribe a specific rehabilitation protocol. During your evaluation, Coach Amy will also perform tests to rule out other possible sources of calf pain. 

Treatment 

Your rehabilitation care plan will be specific to your sport, the severity of the injury (see above), and the calf muscle you injured. 

There are many calf muscles in your leg. The most commonly injured back of the leg calf muscles are the gastrocnemius and soleus. Sprinters and dancers typically suffer injuries to the gastrocnemius, and endurance athletes typically suffer injuries to the soleus. 

If your symptoms came on as a slow gripping grab that progressively worsened, it is likely your soleus muscle group. If it felt like a sudden shot in the leg, your gastrocnemius was probably injured. 

Week 1 Goals: 

Decrease pain and swelling. Protect the calf from further injury.

  • Schedule evaluation with Coach Amy, including 1/wk follow-up for at least four weeks.

  • Do not stretch or foam roll the calf.

  • Wear a compression sock or a neoprene compression sleeve.  

  • You may use recovery compression boots. 

  • Ice 20 min on/off 3x/day.

  • Use crutches or another assistive device to decrease your weight on the calf if the pain is more than 3/10 with walking. With a grade 3 strain, you will need to be non-weight-bearing during this time.

  • Stop activities that involve running/jumping. 

  • Avoid deep tissue massage or massage guns.

  • Avoid inflammatory foods and eat those that help curb inflammation.

  • Take NSAIDs like Aleve or Ibuprofen to control pain only if needed to sleep or function.

Week 2-3 Goals:

Decrease pain and swelling, promote blood flow and prevent further injury. 

  • Physical therapy 1x/wk. 

  • Gentle range of motion of foot: ankle circles/"air alphabet." 

  • Moist heat. 20 min. 1-2x/day. 

  • Do not stretch or foam roll the calf.

  • Avoid deep tissue massage or massage guns.

  • Continue compression garments, sleeves, or boots.

  • Stationary Bike/Trainer: 10 min, no resistance, no pain.

  • Continue with an assistive device if your pain is more than 3/10 with walking. 

  • Swimming is OK as long as there is no pain while swimming during or after. Do not wear fins, and do not push off the wall.

  • Continue a healthy diet.

  • Avoid NSAIDs if possible.

Week 3-6 Goals:

Restore range of motion and strength. Grade 1-2 begin, return to sport as tolerated. 

  • Physical therapy 1x/wk. 

  • Stretch protocol prescribed by a physical therapist.

  • Strength protocol prescribed by a physical therapist.

  • Stationary Bike/Trainer: up to 30 min as tolerated. 

  • Gradual, progressive return to walk/run program protocol prescribed by a physical therapist.

  • Massage and modified foam as tolerated.

  • Continue a healthy diet.

  • No NSAIDs. If these are required to control pain, then you are not ready for this stage of recovery. 

Week 7-12 Goals:

Return to sport and injury prevention.

  • Physical therapy 1/wk for Grade III strain. Grade II may graduate or progress to bi-monthly.

  • Progressive, sport-specific strengthening protocol prescribed by a physical therapist.

  • Return to running protocol. 

Early evaluation and treatment with a skilled and experienced physical therapist can help you recover thoroughly, return to sport, prevent chronic pain and dysfunction of the calf, and prevent injury to other areas of the body that occur with long-term compensations. 

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Photo Request for our Snapshot Wall

A successful climb!

Your success is everything to us at CoachAmyPT. To help motivate and inspire others, we want to display photos featuring our patients’ and athletes’ accomplishments in our newly renovated clinic.

Whether you are running a race, climbing a mountain, walking your dog, playing with your grandchildren, or cooking a 5-star meal, we want to share it!

If you are willing to help, please email us a high-resolution jpg of your success photo to amy@coachamypt.com by Feb. 24th.

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CoachAmyPT Reno Update

Treatment Room #1 Expansion

As with physical therapy, renovation is a process. It requires dismantling before growth commences. After permit delays, the demo began, and the new treatment room is taking shape!

Features:

  • Improved lighting

  • Expanded treatment room

  • Barre for strength classes

  • ADA compliant bathroom

  • New waiting area

Follow our progress! Subscribe to Coach Amy Says.

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Welcome to our Temporary Clinic

We are ready for you! We’ve worked hard to create the same welcoming, comfortable, feel-good environment you’ve come to expect at CoachAmyPT in our temporary location. We are treating patients and teaching classes at 4657 Indian Creek Parkway. This is just West of the CoachAmyPT clinic in the same shopping center. Thank you for being patient as we navigate our remodel.

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Temporary Location: 4657 Indian Creek Parkway

Always feed those who help you move. Thank you David, Spencer and Parker!

And it begins! The CoachAmyPT renovation project starts on January 2, and the first step in a reno is to get out of the way! So my very helpful six-foot+ elves moved the contents of the clinic to our temporary camping spot. As of December 28, 2022, the location for strength classes and physical therapy appointments is 4657 Indian Creek Parkway. See the map below.

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CoachAmyPT Clinic is Getting a Facelift in 2023

We are so excited to announce our new project!

CoachAmyPT has lots in store for 2023, including a remodel of the clinic and studio with a new waiting area, a more extensive treatment room, and a barre for strength classes.

Our project begins on January 2, and we will temporarily be camping out at the old Kitchen and Bath Trends boutique in the same Fox Hill shopping center as CoachAmyPT. The address is 4657 Indian Creek Parkway, Overland Park. See the map below.

Follow our reno progress on the Coach Amy Says blog and CoachAmyPT Instagram page.

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Dry Needling for Injury Prevention

Coach Amy is certified by the Dry Needling Institute and uses the Integrative Dry Needling System (IDNS) methodology to treat injuries and prevent them in the first place.

With dry needling, Coach Amy can help prevent soft tissue dysfunction in many cases for pre-symptomatic and non-symptomatic persons. This is especially helpful for athletes and those who participate in repetitive motions (dancers, musicians, etc.) but is also helpful for non-athletes.

IDNS techniques:

  • optimize physical performance by reducing biomechanical and physical stress during the pre-symptom stage

  • prevent chronic soft tissue injures and some acute injuries

  • provide treatments for conditions like overtraining tissue stress

Don’t wait until you are injured or experiencing pain or dysfunction; schedule an appointment with Coach Amy for preventative dry needling.

Scheduling Tips:

  • Choose a Self-Pay or Wellness Evaluation if you are a new patient or have not seen Coach Amy in the past 12 months.

  • Choose a Self-Pay or Wellness Treatment if you are an established patient.

  • Patients already receiving dry needling services as a part of their care plan may be eligible for Just Needling appointments. Please inquire first.

Prevention of soft tissue injury is key to performance enhancement. - Coach Amy

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