Services

Whether you're an athlete, weekend warrior, or are managing a busy schedule, you should not be in pain. We'll teach you preventive techniques, develop programs to help you manage pain and recuperate from injuries. We'll also assess when you are safely ready to return to physical activity.

We'll help you develop, restore and maintain movement and functional ability through evaluation, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive and multidisciplinary care to help you return to your favorite hobby, sport and life.

Harrington Physical Therapy has been trusted by hundreds of patients for rehabilitation after total knee, total shoulder and hip replacement surgery.

When you choose Harrington Physical Therapy:

• You will see the same physical therapist on every visit
• You'll average about 12 physical therapy visits
• You'll receive written progress notes on follow up to your physician
• There will be communication to your physician if problems arise
• You will receive an individualized exercise program on your first visit
• You'll get to use specialized equipment (the only Biodex System in Helena) to help reach your range of motion goals including specialized strengthening for both the upper and lower extremities

Looking to improve your balance and prevent falls? Harrington Physical Therapy uses the Otago Exercise Program and the STEADI method.

The Otago Exercise Program (Otago) has been proven effective to reduce balance impairments and lower body weakness through individually tailored instruction. Otago uses standardized exercises of progressive difficulty to improve strength and balance, combined with a walking program.

STEADI – (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, & Injuries). This evidence based STEADI tool kit was created by CDC for use by health care providers who treat older adults at risk of falling or who have fallen in the past.

These programs help improve:

• Balance
• Muscle Strength
• General fitness
• General well-being

Christel Harrison, OTR/L, certified Hand Therapist, completes on site work ergonomic assessment and education. She has recently authored a Chapter on Ergonomics in the 2013 publication of "Sustainable Ceramics."

Ergonomics is the science of modifying and designing a work site that maximizes a your comfort and reduces injury.

Ergonomic Assessment Address:

• Proper fit of your chair
• Correct work station height
• Ergonomically designed keyboards and computer mouse
• Correct height and distance of computer monitors, phone or calculator
• Appropriate lighting

John Harrington, MPT and Dallas Vanluchene, DPT offer comprehensive foot evaluations and custom foot orthotics. John and Dallas have professional training in foot mechanics and orthotic fabrication.

Abnormal foot mechanics often lead to foot, ankle, shin, knee, and hip pain.

Evaluations includes:

• Comprehensive assessment of standing, walking and running foot alignment and mechanics
• Recommendations for orthotics or other interventions (such as strengthening and stretching exercises) based upon the above assessment
• If orthotics are warranted, inexpensive temporary foot orthotics are fabricated on site. If these devices are effective, then permanent custom foot orthotics can be fabricated

Whether you have hindered hand mobility because of an accident, illness, or repetitive activity, our certified hand therapist will help you heal.

Tana Cromwell, MPT and Dusty Lindeen, DPT have specialized training to address complaints of vertigo and dizziness.

Dizziness and vertigo can be caused by inner ear dysfunction that can result in problems with balance and activities of daily living.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a form of physical therapy that uses specialized exercises and positioning techniques to improve or resolve your symptoms. Most exercises involve head movements that are essential in stimulating and retraining the vestibular system and can be benefit people of all ages.

Tana Cromwell, MPT and Dusty Lindeen, DPT have specialized training to address signs and symptoms post concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Our Concussion Team
Tana Cromwell, MPT is a core member and Dusty Lindeen, DPT is a past member of Save the Brain - Helena.

Save the Brain
Helena is a multidisciplinary group of medical professionals dedicated to promoting brain health and safety in the Helena region by providing the most current concussion related education, training and treatment recommendations to athletes, parents, coaches, educators and health care providers. Save the Brain - Helena has partnered with the Montana based Save the Brain organization whose mission is to assist communities by providing tools and training to prevent concussion-related deaths and injury.

What is a Concussion?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) cause by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, stretching and damaging the brain cells and creating chemical changes in the brain.

Medical Providers may describe a concussion as a "mild" brain injury (mTBI) because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, the effects of a concussion can be serious.

What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?
Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury.

• Appears dazed or stunned
• Is confused about assignment or position
• Forgets an instruction
• Is unsure of game, score or opponent
• Moves clumsily
• Answers question slowly
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes
• Can't recall events prior to hit or fall
• Can't recall events after hit or fall
• Headache or "pressure" in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Concentration of memory problems
• Confusion
• Just not "feeling right" or "feeling down"

How can Harrington Physical Therapy help?
Tana and Dusty all have extensive training in treating post-concussion issues including:

• Pre and post concussive screening using the SCAT-5
• Coach, parent, student, teacher & community concussion education
• Vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness and vertigo
• Balance training
• Vestibular-ocular training for visual dysfunction including: light sensitivity, difficulty focusing and tracking, concentration issues, fatigue
• Headaches and neck pain
• Exercise prescription for aerobic activity to help reduce fatigue and return to activities
• Return to work
• Return to play

Brooke Clinch has specialized training through the Herman and Wallace Institute

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
It is a treatment to help address dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. The type of therapy prescribed
will depend upon the symptoms you’re experiencing. Some will require relaxing and lengthening of the
muscles, while others may require strengthening the muscles.

How can pelvic floor physical therapy help?

• Stability: pelvic organ prolapse, strength/coordination, return to sport, biomechanics/posture, low back/SIJ dysfunction/sciatica
• Spincteric: bowel/bladder dysfunction, stress/urge/mixed incontinence, constipation
• Support: pelvic pain, pregnancy/postpartum, diastasis recti, pelvic surgery, coccyx pain
• Sexual: painful intercourse, sexual dysfunction