As the new year arrives, few things are more frustrating than old injuries sticking around. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or committing to building better physical health this year, Green County has local resources ready to help. 

“Therapies are critical in the overall recovery process to help you return to preinjury condition. It’s important to not wait to seek treatment,” said Eric Katzenberger, manager of rehabilitation and sports medicine at SSM Health in Monroe. “The earlier we can assist, the faster your recovery may be.”

SSM Health’s Therapy and Rehabilitation Services includes physical therapy, occupational therapy and sports medicine. Katzenberger describes the differences between the three and the injuries they treat:

Physical therapy focuses on therapies of the muscles and tendons, things like balance, dizziness, and pelvic pains, as well as regaining strength and flexibility after an injury, illness or surgery. Rehab Services provides physical therapy in Monroe, New Glarus, Brodhead, Lena and Freeport.

Occupational therapy focuses on recovery from injuries involving the hand, wrist and elbow. It also can help in regaining hand functions following injury and stroke. Speech Therapy, under this umbrella, helps patients with eating, swallowing, voice and behavioral disorders, including post-stroke and Parkinson’s treatment. Rehab Services offers occupational therapy in Monroe and Freeport, while speech and aquatic therapy are only offered at the Monroe location.

Sports medicine primarily involves outreach to area schools, providing care to athletes and sideline event coverage. This focuses on injury prevention, treatment, sports rehabilitation, and return-to-play guidance. SSM Health provides sports medicine services to 16 schools in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Patients at SSM Health in Monroe can also utilize equipment like Litegait, which can help patients walk or stand when they might otherwise be unable to, and Bertec, a “balance testing and training system,” said Katzenberger.

Therapy services with SSM often, though not always, require referral from your primary or specialty care doctor. Individuals with questions about “direct access” — accessing services without a referral — can contact the clinic directly.

Emily Snyder, a physical therapist with SSM Health in Monroe, described a patient’s first session as an evaluation process to better understand their current condition.

“We then conduct a variety of tests and measures including range of motion, strength, gait, flexibility, posture, balance, coordination and special tests specific to your problem,” said Snyder. 

The physician will then establish a physical therapy diagnosis and patients will be sent home with independent exercises to perform, helping aid the recovery process between any future sessions.

“Due to our rural location and the workforce associated with our community, we frequently see neck and lower back injuries, total joint replacements, and overuse injuries,” she said. “PT due to falls is also very common, which is more prominent in the winter months. We see every diagnosis at our location in Monroe.”

Behring Senior Center in Monroe can also assist with recovery as well as assisting older individuals to be proactive in building strength to prevent future injuries. The Center offers a wide variety of exercise classes at its Wellness Center, stocked with equipment and certified trainers. The programs are open to anyone 55 years and older. More information about the Center’s Wellness Center can be found on their website, monroeseniorcenter.com.

Bridget Cotter, the Center’s wellness specialist and program coordinator, told the Times in 2023 about the importance of “active aging,” both for physical and mental wellness. 

“Staying active with exercise increases mental awareness, energy and improves mood, overall reducing stress and anxiety,” she said. “Adding in the physical benefits we see preventions or delays in diseases and cancers, improvements in overall strength, balance, energy and flexibility.”

The timeline for recovery and rehabilitation can be different depending on the type of injury or ailment, the patient’s overall health and many other factors. While it can be tempting to rush your recovery in order to resume normal activities, it is important to have patience with the process. Snyder encourages patients to practice caution until they feel back to 75 to 80 percent of their normal functions, and until no pain lingers for more than 15-30 minutes after activity.

As we age, Snyder stresses the importance of staying active.

“The saying goes, ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it,’” she said. 

— This story is part of our annual “Best You Yet” series highlighting local services that can help readers be the best version of themselves in the new year. This story focuses on the topic of physical health.