Physical Therapy

While it may sound intimidating, dry needling is safe, minimally discomforting, and often an effective technique for patients with certain musculoskeletal issues.

Dry needling is a treatment performed by our skilled, trained physical therapists, certified in this procedure. A thin needle is inserted into the skin and treats underlying muscular trigger points for managing neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments.

So, what is a trigger point? A trigger point is a tight band in a muscle fiber that can disrupt function, restrict the range of motion, or cause tenderness. When dry needling is used on a dysfunctional muscle or trigger point, it can decrease banding or tightness, increase blood flow, and reduce local and referred pain.

To learn more about Dry Needling at Memorial Medical Center, watch the video below:

Physical therapy wound care is for patients who have open wounds as a result of pressure, poor circulation, trauma, surgery, and/or diabetes. Most common wounds  treated by wound care specialists are:

• Necrotic wounds
• Stage III, IV or unstageable pressure ulcers
• Diabetic wounds
• Chronic wounds
• Venous and/or arterial wounds
• Extremity wounds with edema
• Non-healing surgical wounds

What does physical therapy wound care involve?

Patients must be referred by their physician to physical therapy wound care.

Physical therapy wound care begins with an evaluation and development of an individualized care plan. Common treatment approaches can include:

• Measurement and documentation of the wound characteristics
• Cleaning of the wound
• Debridement (removal) of any dead tissue
• Selection and application of wound dressing
• Application of compression if necessary
• Education of the patient, caregivers and/or family members regarding wound care and dressing changes

To learn more about Wound Care at Memorial Medical Center, watch the video below:

Vestibular rehabilitation, within the scope of physical therapy, addresses symptoms of vertigo and dizziness. These symptoms affect how you move throughout the day.

Vertigo may lead you to avoid certain positions because of fear of intense room spinning sensations. Dizziness affects your ability to move throughout your day, and both vertigo and dizziness affect your balance.

Physical therapists use vestibular rehabilitation methods to help eliminate and reduce symptoms, as well as teach you ways to compensate for symptoms that interfere with your activities.

Click the video below to learn more about Vestibular Therapy at MMC:

Dynamic Stretches

Kathy Chenier, PT

Kathy received her masters in physical therapy from the College of St. Scholastica with an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology. She has a particular interest in orthopedics, joint replacement, pediatrics, sports/athletics, and deep dry needling. She enjoys running, hiking, cross-country skiing, camping, and spending time with her family.

Jill Gibbon, PT

Jill received her bachelor of science in exercise and sport science from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN, and her doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of North Dakota. She sees patients of all ages with all types of conditions. She is a certified wound specialist, has advanced training in TMJ/TMD, performs dry needling, and enjoys problem-solving to get at the root of her patient’s symptoms. She enjoys outdoor time with her husband and two sons. Fun fact: Jill was a three-sport college athlete competing in soccer, hockey, and track and field. She now coaches her sons’ hockey and soccer teams.

Nikki Gleeson, PT

Nikki grew up in Ashland and was a three-sport athlete. She continued on in athletics by receiving her bachelor of science in exercise science followed by a doctorate of physical therapy. She primarily sees athletes and children, but she’s also certified in dry needling, a process that treats pain and movement impairments by inserting a thin needle through the skin into areas of the muscle. She plans to further her education in pediatrics and sports physical therapy, including emergency athlete assessment and treatment. She enjoys the outdoors with her family and black lab.

Cassandra Gray, PT

Cassandra graduated with a bachelor of science in psychology and a doctorate of physical therapy from Carroll University. Since then, she has gained experience with home health, skilled nursing facilities, and now outpatient and inpatient acute care. She’s certified in “LSVT BIG” for Parkinson’s, as well as other neurological disorders. She enjoys working back in the northland with a variety of patients!

Barb Jusula, CNP

Barb is a certified wound care specialist and has been employed with MMC since 1999. She earned her associate degree in nursing in 1999 from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, her bachelor’s in science of nursing in 2010 from Northland College, and her master’s in science of nursing/family nurse practitioner in 2019 from Purdue University. During her off time, she loves being with her family.  Outdoor activities she enjoys most include road cycling, hiking, cross country, and downhill skiing, and snowshoeing.

Mitch Kontny, PT

Mitch received his bachelor of science in biomedical science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where he also played college hockey. He continued his educated receiving a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. He has extensive training in vestibular, orthopedic, and sports physical therapy. Recently has received certification from the Titleist Performance Institute in 2021 to treat golfers with pain or who want to enhance their body’s capabilities.

Betty Madison, PT

Betty has been practicing physical therapy for 30 years. A graduate of St. Scholastica, Betty is a certified lymphedema therapist who can help people manage arm, leg or trunk swelling caused by damage to the venous or lymphatic system. She is also a certified diabetic wound care specialist. She enjoys cross-country skiing, road bicycling, and general outdoor activities.

Bernadette Mattila, PT

Bernadette received her physical therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She sees patients of all ages and specializes in vestibular and concussion therapy. She is also the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Memorial Medical Center.

Courtney Roush, PT

Courtney has worked at Memorial Medical Center for 14 years. As a physical therapist, she sees patients of all ages but also specializes in lymphedema therapy which seeks to reduce swelling in an arm or leg caused by an impaired lymphatic system. She is also certified in dry needling, inserting thin needles into the skin at specific areas throughout the body. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor of science in physical therapy.

Mike Weispfenning, PT

Mike has a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and a doctorate of physical therapy from the College of St. Scholastica. He likes working with patients in many different areas of physical therapy practice and he enjoys outdoor activities.