SRMC therapists help pave rehab road

Patient-driven care is the goal of Kristin Schmidt, a physical therapist at Sidney Regional Medical Center.

Schmidt is part of a team at SRMC that ensures each patient is provided meaningful therapy.

Schmidt and her husband, Ty, both work as physical therapists at SRMC. A career in physical therapy suits Schmidt's passion for health, fitness and processes of the human body. The rural setting of Sidney suits her as well, providing variety as a practitioner.

"I am able to work with different ages, and I don't get bored," Kristin Schmidt said.

She also enjoys the opportunities and emphasis SRMC places on continuing education opportunities.

"I have a duty to be a life-long learner," she said.

As a therapist, she focuses on making the work meaningful to the patient.

"I know what good movement looks like, but the patient needs to accomplish their goals."

Each therapy session begins with asking the client what their goal is and then reminding them of what they are working toward when times get tough. She reminds each patient that therapy is work.

For Wendall Gaston, the former Sidney mayor who is recovering from extensive shoulder surgery, the reminder means eventually getting him back on the golf course. Gaston has a minimum six-month recovery, and attends physical therapy three times per week.

He's unable to work his day job as a pharmacist at the local Safeway, and he said he's getting tired of the lunches that only one working arm can make. Despite the time and physical effort, he's committed to following through with therapy.

Gaston said he sees people who try to get away without physical therapy right after surgery, and "those people have less success" in their long-term recoveries.

Golfing seems a long way off to a man wearing a sling that doesn't allow movement. Just four weeks out of extensive surgery, Gaston's shoulder is immobilized 24 hours a day except for passive stretches led by his therapist. Passive means that as his therapist, Schmidt does the movement for him.

"He isn't allowed to help me move his arm," said Schmidt as she stretched his shoulders at a recent therapy session. It's easier said then done, since muscles have memory and try to engage when they feel movement, explained Schmidt.

As part of the community outreach, the Sidney Regional Medical Center rehabilitation department offers therapy services to area high school athletes by meeting with them weekly at practices, as well as providing a sideline presence at home games.

Members of the community can also meet with a therapist from SRMC for injury screenings at the Cheyenne Community Center on Mondays.

Individuals utilizing the rehabilitation services at the hospital have access to preoperative, in-hospital treatment, at-home care, post-operative services and rehabilitation services. The constant care available provides continuity of care for every step of the way, Schmidt said.

In her free time away from SRMC, Schmidt enjoys running the trails or biking as she works on her personal physical fitness through her two favorite exercises.

"I also include weight training to avoid injury," she said.

Schmidt offered a little advice on achieving personal fitness goals: "Make the goals realistic. That might mean doing 30 squats in your kitchen or five minutes of body weight exercises in your living room."

Unrealistic goals lead to frustration and cause people to quit trying, she said.

And, for individuals fighting pain or needing the guidance of a professional, the rehab team including eight physical therapists, three physical therapy assistants, four occupational therapists, a speech therapist and an on-site massage therapist at SRMC.