By Chelsea Pyne

Carolina Physical Therapy Specialists is redefining the way physical therapy is provided.  The independently owned private practice opened its doors in 2006 and has since developed a superb reputation for treating orthopedic, sports injury, and spinal problems.  Located in Kernersville, Carolina PT also meets the needs of Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point residents because of their unique approach and the resulting success.  Carolina PT uses advanced hands-on techniques, dry needling (use of a small filament that improves circulation, relieves pain, and loosens taut muscles), Class 4 LASER (concentrated energy that promotes tissue healing, reduces pain and swelling, and reduces scar tissue), and total body corrective exercise to maximize health and function.

At Carolina PT you will find an experienced staff with the highest level of qualifications, a staff that cares about helping others, and a facility using state-of-the-art equipment to deliver the most modern treatments with excellent outcomes.  In fact, professional athletes and their respective organizations spanning from the East to West Coast have used Carolina PT’s services (NBA, NFL, NASCAR, PGA, LPGA, MLS, MLB, and more).  Local ACC schools, officials, and medical programs trust their judgement by often seeking their input with athletes’ recovery status.

One such staff member, physical therapist Matt Zwilling is outstanding in orthopedics and sports medicine.  Matt specializes in spinal and extremity manual therapy and corrective exercises to reduce pain and restore normal mobility and strength.  He also has experience in golf and tennis, geriatric care, and acute care giving him a well-rounded approach when customizing care plans across all ages and activity levels.  Matt has his Doctoral degree and advanced certification in dry needling as well.

Patient’s treatments are always customized to their unique problems and goals.  Many times treatments integrate upper, core, and lower body segments into the plan regardless of the problem because the body learns to adapt to injury, and research has proven it does so through compensation.  Lee Howard, the owner of Carolina PT says, “One advantage of using a system that finds the key areas of restriction is that quicker pain relief can be achieved and normal movement restored, leading to a better rehab experience.  We have often treated the same condition other healthcare professionals have unsuccessfully treated and are able to make significant improvement in the quality of our clients’ lives.  We genuinely get joy from helping others feel and move better.”

One of Carolina PT’s latest and most advanced platforms is the total body screen.  This is a movement screening system that categorizes one’s movement as normal, dysfunctional, painful, non-painful, or any combination thereof.  It is a 7 site process that assesses how the neck, core, upper and lower body, and left and right sides work independently and together.  This information is used to determine any weak links, and once discovered, speeds the recovery process by restoring normal motion and eliminating pain.

A common case that Carolina PT’s team works with is a patient with neck pain.  Whether the cause is unknown, from sports, surgery, work, stress, or any sort of injury to the body, the screen will pick up on the neck problem and find any other relevant issue that may be linked to the neck pain, for example, a shoulder limitation.  Once the target areas are discovered, fixing and keeping away the pain is much more straightforward.

For another example, many people use Carolina PT for their back, hip, knee, or ankle problems.  The body screen is performed and the findings analyzed.  The screen will identify the key problem areas, sometimes these areas will not even be painful, but may be causing pain elsewhere.  From this information, the PTs know the key to fixing the problem, thus resulting in a spine and lower body that works in sync and without aching pains.

Jay Parrish explains his experience working with the specialists at CPT, “What I like most about Carolina PT is their approach.  Long-term relief from joint and muscle pain and surgery prevention is always their goal.  Earlier this year I was having issues in my lumbar disc, which if left untreated, would have been far more debilitating.  So Lee and his team designed treatments and exercises that resolved all my lumbar disc problems.  Even as I worked full-time and continued my athletic endeavors, I had a successful recovery through gentle spinal mobilizations, physical therapy exercises, dry needle therapy, and laser treatments.  They were able to tailor a program that specifically addressed the muscle and joint issues particular to my body with the Functional Movement Screen.  Overall, I cannot say enough about the programs offered, the ability to heal injuries, and the wide range of programming that can be implemented to prevent further injuries.  It has been a true blessing to work with Lee and everyone on his staff!”

Restoring normal movement, reducing pain, and establishing strength and function is the goal of Carolina PT’s treatment.  They participate with most insurance plans and aside from Medicare products, a referral is rarely needed for treatment.  This means people can just call and schedule an appointment.  With a collective 40 years of rehab experience, the Carolina PT team uses an innovative approach to help athletes, weekend warriors, employers, adolescents, and adults maximize physical potential.  Carolina PT treats a variety of conditions; necks, headaches, post-concussion problems, back pain, sports injury problems, pre and postoperative conditions, scoliosis, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff problems, and much more.

If you would like to set up an appointment with Carolina PT for a new or old problem call 336.992.2787.  Ask to include a total body screen during the evaluation and the rest will be taken care of.  For more information visit www.CarolinaPT.com.