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NCCH Physical Therapy Dept. helps area patients recover
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Ainslee S. Wittig/Range News STARTING OVER: Northern Cochise Community Hospital physical therapist Mark Limb, left, helps Bradley Givens regain strength in his knee following surgery on it. Limb sees about 14 patients a day. |
By AINSLEE S. WITTIG/Arizona Range News
Mark Limb is not a doctor, but about 14 patients a day visit him. And when they leave, they often feel worse than when they arrived.
Well, at least a bit more tired and sore.
Limb, 35, is the physical therapist at the Northern Cochise Community Hospital.
Without him, nearly 250 extra trips per month would be made to Tucson, Safford or Sierra Vista for physical therapy appointments -- a must for those recovering from anything from back or joint injuries to strokes.
About 50 percent of Limb's patients come in with back and neck problems; 20 percent have knee or hip injuries or replacements, or arthritis; 20 percent have shoulder injuries; and the other 10 percent, anything else, such as stroke, balance disorders, or injuries to hands or fingers, he said.
Limb has assistance in the department from Ramona Torres, physical therapy aide and office administrator.
Speech language pathologist, Amparo Martin, comes in to help those with speech disorders.
Cardiac rehabilitation is not available at the physical therapy department.
The department has equipment to help the array of patients that come in, including weights for building strength; bikes for strength, endurance and improving mobility; bars for stability walking; stairs with railings for "teaching people to be useful in the community by being able to climb curbs or stairs in buildings"; and a pool for a "gentler means of exercise."
The pool, he said, is primarily used for those with fibromyalgia, those with back injuries or knee replacements, or some injury requiring "a means of resistance that is light and can graduate strengthening by increasing the force through water."
Limb started as department manager at NCCH in November of last year.
Before this position, he received his master's degree in physical therapy from Andrews University in Dayton, Ohio, and then spent three years at Sun City's Boswell Memorial Hospital and four years at Mount Graham Regional Medical Center in Safford, both in their respective outpatient physical therapy departments.
"Mark has done a great job here," said Ellen Clark, community relations director at NCCH.
A physician's referral is required to receive treatment in the NCCH physical therapy department.
Limb reminded residents of the area that "if people would be proactive (in getting exercise and taking care of themselves), they would need me less."
Well, at least a bit more tired and sore.
Limb, 35, is the physical therapist at the Northern Cochise Community Hospital.
Without him, nearly 250 extra trips per month would be made to Tucson, Safford or Sierra Vista for physical therapy appointments -- a must for those recovering from anything from back or joint injuries to strokes.
About 50 percent of Limb's patients come in with back and neck problems; 20 percent have knee or hip injuries or replacements, or arthritis; 20 percent have shoulder injuries; and the other 10 percent, anything else, such as stroke, balance disorders, or injuries to hands or fingers, he said.
Limb has assistance in the department from Ramona Torres, physical therapy aide and office administrator.
Speech language pathologist, Amparo Martin, comes in to help those with speech disorders.
Cardiac rehabilitation is not available at the physical therapy department.
The department has equipment to help the array of patients that come in, including weights for building strength; bikes for strength, endurance and improving mobility; bars for stability walking; stairs with railings for "teaching people to be useful in the community by being able to climb curbs or stairs in buildings"; and a pool for a "gentler means of exercise."
The pool, he said, is primarily used for those with fibromyalgia, those with back injuries or knee replacements, or some injury requiring "a means of resistance that is light and can graduate strengthening by increasing the force through water."
Limb started as department manager at NCCH in November of last year.
Before this position, he received his master's degree in physical therapy from Andrews University in Dayton, Ohio, and then spent three years at Sun City's Boswell Memorial Hospital and four years at Mount Graham Regional Medical Center in Safford, both in their respective outpatient physical therapy departments.
"Mark has done a great job here," said Ellen Clark, community relations director at NCCH.
A physician's referral is required to receive treatment in the NCCH physical therapy department.
Limb reminded residents of the area that "if people would be proactive (in getting exercise and taking care of themselves), they would need me less."
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