PT business branches out

Bri Brasher
NLJ Reporter
 
Physical Therapy of Wyoming is branching out from its home base in Gillette to also include clinics in Newcastle and Douglas. Matthew Fuhr, a doctor of physical therapy, and Katrina Tysdal, physical therapy assistant, will head the Newcastle location. 
While Newcastle’s clinic is located in the old North Platte Physical Therapy building, Brandy Johnson, owner of Physical Therapy of Wyoming, said the new clinic is not affiliated with North Platte. Johnson said North Platte has completely vacated the space, and Physical Therapy of Wyoming has moved in. Tysdal said the Newcastle location will open the week of March 18, and the clinic plans to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
“We promise to provide the most up-to-date techniques in manual therapy, modalities and exercise management aimed to decrease pain, increase motion, increase strength and improve overall function, in addition to, or in place of, drugs or surgery,” said Fuhr and Tysdal. 
According to Tysdal, the business originated as Hand Therapy of Wyoming in 2017 by owners Brandy Johnson, Annie Stafford, and Brittney Siefert. Now, Tysdal said, Physical Therapy of Wyoming “is set to provide a wide variety of physical therapy (and occupational therapy) services, including and not limited to screening, evaluation, education and treatment of joint/muscle/tendon injuries of the upper and lower extremities, pre- and post-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation, PORi cancer rehabilitation before, during and after oncological treatment, integrative dry needling, cupping and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization IASTM, neck and back pain, balance and coordination, sports injury, wound care, general weakness, neurological rehabilitation and home health.”
Tysdal said the company anticipates hiring more staff in Newcastle as the need arises and the business becomes established. Meanwhile, she and Fuhr will man the Newcastle clinic. 
“Matt is excited to live in Newcastle, as it is an area
he has always enjoyed,”
Tysdal said. 
Tysdal said she too is happy to be rid of her commute to Gillette. The Newcastle High School alumnus of the class of 2004 said that after nearly five years of commuting, she is “so excited to be able to work and provide services to her community.”
Fuhr, also a Wyoming native, majored in biology at Black Hills State University, where he also played football for four years. Fuhr said that between graduating and awaiting acceptance to physical therapy school, “he worked in construction and construction materials testing in Gillette, witnessing firsthand the positive changes physical therapy can make on the aches and pains heavy repetitive labor can cause.” He then attended the University of North Dakota School of Physical Therapy, where he did clinical rotations in hospital acute care, rural PT, sports medicine and neurological rehabilitation. 
Fuhr then settled in Gillette, working for Campbell County Health in the outpatient setting. He also worked in a rural clinic in Wright, where Fuhr said he “developed a strong interest in pre- and post-orthopedic rehabilitation, as well as the high diversity and hardworking people of small town rural physical therapy.” Fuhr also said he enjoys all that outdoor recreation Wyoming and Newcastle have to offer. 
Tysdal loves the Newcastle area too. Born in Spearfish but raised in Newcastle, Tysdal said she originally wanted to go into elementary education, though after working at a physical therapy clinic, she “found her passion” and pursued her path to become a physical therapy assistant. She graduated from Laramie County Community College in 2013, after which she worked in home health before working part time at Campbell County Health, starting in 2014. Tysdal, her husband and two children live on a ranch north of Newcastle, where they “enjoy spending time together, listening to music and dancing.” 
“I am looking forward to bringing our services to our amazing community I am proud to call home,” said Tysdal.
Tysdal said that she is experienced in in-patient, long-term care, home health and outpatient services. She said she enjoys treating a wide variety but has a “special place in her heart for the cancer population.” 
Physical Therapy of Wyoming is meeting a need in the Newcastle community, according to Tysdal, who said the only other option for physical therapy is through the hospital. Tysdal said patients are encouraged to call (307) 746-2220 to make an appointment or stop by 360 W. Main St. According to Tysdal, the clinic accepts all insurance without a doctor’s referral, and cash pay is accepted without insurance. 
“Physical Therapy of Wyoming can’t wait to be your first choice for all your physical therapy needs. We (Matt and Katrina) look forward to working with you to develop a plan of care customized to your diagnosis or condition that will lead to optimal body function, decreased pain and prevention of further dysfunction,” Fuhr and Tysdal said.