Holly Milligan, the new physical therapist at St. Rose Health Center, brings to the job almost a decade of experience in a variety of settings.
“At St. Rose, my colleague, Melanie Schroeter, and I work with people who experience joint, neck and back pain from arthritis or a fall. We also work a lot on strengthening and balance to improve safety.”
A population Milligan believes is missing out on the benefits of physical therapy are those between the ages of 30 and 60.
“I hear women say, 'I had a baby a year ago. I thought it was normal for my back and hips to still hurt,’” Milligan related. “Others tell me 'my neck began to hurt six months ago but that is just part of getting older.’ With earlier treatment and education, the hope would be to help decrease and prevent more significant or intense symptoms later on.”
When discussing with others the option of physical therapy, Milligan states, “I think it is important to focus on how their day would look differently if they could walk through the grocery store without having to lean on a cart and stop to rest five times; or if they could get down on the floor and play with their children or grandchildren with more energy. If physical therapy could help them do these things better, how would that change their day-to-day living?”
In Kansas, a doctor’s referral for physical therapy is not necessary; insurance provider requirements vary.
At St. Rose, physical therapy treatment depends on the patient’s circumstances. It could entail one to three visits a week for a few weeks. “But I have patients come in for one or two sessions for a tune-up treatment and education,” Milligan noted. “And then they are good to go.”
Milligan, who is originally from Larned and now lives in Great Bend, received her undergraduate degree in kinesiology at Kansas State University in 2004. She then earned her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2007.
Milligan is currently being trained in Fascial Strain Counterstrain, a new technique that uses a gentle approach to release the fascia, a connective tissue located throughout the body, in order to treat a variety of dysfunctions.
She has experience in outpatient treatment; acute and skilled nursing; home health; and pediatric care of children age birth to 10.
The St. Rose Physical Therapy Services number is 620-786-6515.
St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, Imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. St. Rose is co-owned by Hays Medical Center and Centura Health.
