HEALTH AND WELLNESS: “One of the biggest benefits of physical therapy is helping to keep patients independent. We work on strength, function, and mobility. We provide an individualized program for each patient, and we always instruct and help people with the exercises.” Physical therapist Stephanie Paluchowski, PT, DPT, OCS, LSVT BIG and clinical director of Strive Physical Therapy At Princeton, is shown in the Strive facility at 1000 Herrontown Road.
By Jean Stratton
Physical therapy is a proven means of helping individuals who have experienced sports injuries, accidents, post surgical issues, or chronic conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease, and other problems.
Many people have been helped to regain strength, function, and mobility after a series of sessions with a licensed physical therapist.
As more people age, but who wish to continue to be active, whether in sports or other activities, the need for physical therapy increases. And it is not only for seniors. All ages, whether children breaking an ankle, middle-aged “weekend warriors” overdoing tennis or soccer, or those recovering from surgery — all are benefitting from physical therapy.
Princeton is fortunate to have a number of health and wellness organizations, including physical therapy, available in the area. Strive Physical Therapy At Princeton is located in The Clock Building at 1000 Herrontown Road.
Quality of Life
As it points out in its mission statement, “Our mission is to provide the highest level of care through clinical excellence and superior customer service. Our objective is to improve the quality of life of every client and community group we have the opportunity to serve.”
A franchise operation begun 20 years ago, Strive now has 40 locations primarily in southern New Jersey. The Princeton facility opened six years ago, and there are also Strive locations nearby in West Windsor and Monroe.
The Princeton Strive doctorate level physical therapists have completed seven years of post-secondary education, and have passed the rigorous National Physical Therapy examination.
Stephanie Paluchowski PT/DPT. OCS, Cert. LSVT BIG, is clinical director of the Strive Princeton clinic. She received her physical therapy training and degrees at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, N.Y., and has served as a physical therapist for seven years. A desire to help people led to her decision to enter the field, and she is also a runner, which led her into other areas of physical therapy.
Patient-Centered Care
“I had started in running, and then thought about becoming involved in the health and wellness field. One way I believe our program at Princeton Strive is set apart from a lot of other physical therapy offices is my ability to work with full autonomy as a therapist, meaning I can treat patients as I see fit without corporate pressure. This allows for true patient-centered care.”
Her focus is one-on-one with patients, enabling her to give each person very individualized attention.
Paluchowski and the other experienced and dedicated physical therapists at Strive Princeton treat patients needing help with a full range of orthopedic conditions, including back, knees, hips, shoulders, neck, wrists, hands, etc. They also treat those who may have suffered concussions.
“Among all the conditions, low back pain is the most common complaint,” reports Paluchowski, “but we are very busy treating all the others too. We work on range of motion, stretching, and strength, and it is primarily manual treatment, although we also have equipment, such as bikes, treadmills, and Elliptical Arc Trainers. We also have free weights, balls, and other tools.”
Sessions are one hour, and typically, depending on the condition, a patient will come two or three times a week for a month. It can be a longer time period for post surgical patients.
In addition to patients with orthopedic conditions, Paluchowski sees individuals with neurological problems, such as Parkinson’s Disease and those recovering from strokes.
Balance Issues
“I am certified LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s patients,” she explains, “and we can help to slow the progression of the disease, help improve motor function, and help patients achieve their potential for improved daily life. We can also help with balance issues and neuropathy.”
Another aspect of the practice is treating children with developmental issues. “We see children who are developmentally delayed, and those with special needs,” says Paluchowski. “This can also include children with conditions like cerebral palsy. We see children as young as three years old.”
In addition, Strive At Princeton treats those with vertigo or vestibular (inner ear) problems. As she points out, “We can help to alleviate the dizziness and symptoms with techniques and exercises, some focusing on eye movements.”
Two other conditions Strive At Princeton treats are Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), also known as hypermobility.
“POTS is a nervous system disorder where heart rate increases above normal limits when an individual rises to an upright position. The autoimmune nervous system is not functioning properly, and symptoms can include fainting, light headedness, heart palpitations, and chronic fatigue, among others,” explains Paluchowski.
“Through a variety of gentle exercises, physical therapy can help, and the goal will be to increase cardiovascular tolerance when rising to an upright position.”
Overly Flexible
EDS is a connective tissue disorder, she points out, and hypermobility is often described as being overly flexible. In EDS, the connective tissue develops incorrectly and it can cause many issues, including “loose” joints. Symptoms may include joint dislocations, easy bruising, chronic widespread pain, poor wound healing, and excessive fatigue, among others.
“When the muscles are strong,” says Paluchowski, “it will aid in increasing the strength of the unstable joint. With physical therapy, we target the muscles with a low resistance and high repetition program to increase endurance.”
Paluchowski emphasizes the need for continuing education to keep up to date with new information. “There are always new advances and techniques. Keeping up with the latest news in the field is extremely important and necessary. This is a strong focus for us.”
With her interest in running, Paluchowski also offers a Running Specialty Program. “This program is cash-based, but operated through Strive,” she explains. “It’s for anyone interested in running, those who want to train seriously and for others who run for fun. We have running analysis and evaluation, prevention exercises geared to running, and training.
Another way in which Strive At Princeton is set apart from some other physical therapy operations is that it is a direct access facility. That is, patients can receive treatment without a doctor’s referral. Many patients are taking advantage of this opportunity, reports Paluchowski.
She points out that home exercises are also an important part of the physical therapy plan for every patient. They need to be willing to do their part to achieve the optimum result.
Teamwork
“We give patients exercises to do at home, and carefully explain how to do them, but people have to realize that they need to do the work.”
It’s teamwork between the physical therapist and the patient that leads to the best outcome.
Stephanie Paluchowski is glad that she has chosen physical therapy as her life’s work and that she is able to help so many people.
“I really like what I am doing! I enjoy meeting so many different kinds of people. Patients have different backgrounds, lifestyles, and are all ages. It is rewarding for me that I can help them and make a positive difference in their health and wellbeing — and their lives. It is a great pleasure when people exceed my expectations!”
Strive Physical Therapy At Princeton is open Monday through Friday. For hours and further information, call (609) 497-1000. Visit the website at: https://strivephysicaltherapy.com/location/princeton/