While just down the road from our Wasilla office, Palmer can sometimes feel SO FAR away!
Patients and our medical partners ask all the time when we would expand. The time is now!
We are thrilled to announce the opening of another physical therapy clinic in the Mat-Su Valley, a step that underscores our commitment to our mission of empowering all Alaskans and proving that movement can heal. This new clinic is designed to extend our premier Physical Therapy services to more individuals, ensuring that everyone in the Mat-Su Valley has access to the transformative benefits of our care. At Empower, we believe in treating our clients like family, and this expansion allows us to offer our unique WOW experience to a broader community. By providing compassionate listening and growth-minded care, we aim to enhance the well-being of more Alaskans and help them embrace an active, fulfilling life. We are excited to continue our journey of gratitude, support, and celebration, and look forward to welcoming new members into our Empower family.
At Empower Physical Therapy, we’re redefining the experience of therapy by breaking away from the conventional, impersonal treatment models seen in other clinics. Unlike those cold and sterile environments where patients are often treated as just another appointment, Empower is committed to creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere where every individual is genuinely heard and valued. We reject the notion of rushed, impersonal care, instead focusing on building meaningful relationships with our clients and dedicating ample time to each session. Our approach is rooted in the belief that true healing begins with understanding and empathy, and we celebrate every step of our clients’ journey. By combining expert care with an enthusiastic, supportive environment, we aim to make therapy not just effective, but enjoyable. At Empower, you will not only experience high-quality treatment but will also feel the difference in our personalized, community-centered approach. Join the Empower Family and discover how movement, paired with genuine care, can truly lead to healing.
We are excited to share that we are embarking on renovations to transform our new Mat-Su Valley location into the ideal environment for physical therapy. While we don’t have a specific opening date just yet, our team is diligently working alongside local contractors to create a space that will perfectly support our mission of empowering Alaskans through exceptional care. The renovations are focused on ensuring that the clinic is fully equipped to offer a comprehensive range of physical therapy services, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our community. Rest assured, we are committed to opening our doors as soon as possible and look forward to welcoming you into a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance your therapy experience. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and the upcoming launch of our new clinic!
You want to take care of some chores or go for a walk — but hip pain is keeping you on the couch. If this sounds familiar, know that you don’t have to suffer! At Empower Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will guide you through a simple process to address your hip pain so you can get active again. This newsletter will take you through that process, from understanding your symptoms to the outcomes you can expect from physical therapy. Still have questions? Call us to schedule an appointment!
Pinpoint Your Symptoms
There are several potential reasons why someone might develop hip pain. To treat your pain effectively, we need to pinpoint what that cause could be.
When you visit us for your initial appointment, one of the first things we’ll do is ask you to share your symptoms. “Hip pain” often causes a lot more than just pain, and being able to describe your pain, mobility limitations, and other concerns helps us get a clearer picture of your condition.
For example, you know that your hip hurts. But when do you experience pain (i.e., during activity)? Does your pain come and go? Where do you experience pain? Is it just in your hip, or do you feel it elsewhere? Is the pain a dull ache? Sharp and shooting?
Make sure to share additional symptoms you might be experiencing, too. Here are some common ones:
• Stiffness/limited range of motion in your hip
• Weakness throughout the lower extremities
• Mobility issues, including walking, going up or down stairs, or struggling to stand up
• Difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as putting on your shoes — and let us know which ones
Identify a Cause and Develop a Treatment Plan
Thanks to your detailed symptom description — as well as a health history and comprehensive physical exam — your therapist should be able to determine the underlying cause of your hip pain.
If you’re 55 or older, there’s a good chance your hip pain stems from osteoarthritis. This degenerative condition causes cartilage and bone tissue to break down, leading to pain and restricted mobility.
However, hip pain can also stem from an injury. If you’re an athlete or particularly active person, you may have suffered an acute injury, such as a labral tear, in which a ring of cartilage in the hip socket becomes damaged. You may have also sprained your hip — that is, damaged the ligaments that hold the joint together.
However, even if you haven’t had an obvious injury, an injury could still be to blame. Overuse injuries are injuries that develop gradually and, in the hip, generally affect the soft tissue — your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They usually occur due to repetitive movements or improper biomechanics.
Your treatment plan will vary based on the underlying cause of your pain, but in most cases, we aim to…
- Help manage acute pain with manual therapy, modalities, or gentle stretches.
- Improve mobility and range of motion through targeted stretches and exercises.
- Build strength in the muscles surrounding the hip to support the joint.
- Restore your ability to perform everyday movements, such as going up stairs — and for the athletes, we’ll help restore your ability to perform sport-specific movements.
Understand Your Outcomes
As with treatments, your exact outcomes will vary based on the underlying cause. However, other factors can come into play, too, such as age, health status, and the amount of time you can spend with physical therapy (whether in the clinic or performing home exercise programs).
For example, osteoarthritis has no cure, but you can manage your symptoms with regular physical activity. If you stick with your prescribed exercise program, you can minimize pain, slow the progression of your condition, and delay or even avoid surgery.
If you suffered an injury, you likely will be able to resolve your hip pain, usually within 1-3 months. However, if your injury was severe, full rehabilitation — the point at which you’ve fully restored strength and function — may take longer. Continuing any prescribed exercises is important even if you no longer feel pain.
Start Your Own Journey to Hip Pain Relief Today
No matter the reason for your hip pain, the physical therapists at Empower Physical Therapy will guide you toward lasting relief. Call us today to schedule an appointment to get started!
EMPOWERED
PATIENTS
“AMAZING experience! I have so many great things to say about Empower Physical Therapy and I don’t know where to start. All I can say is I 100% recommend, if you’re looking for physical therapy, to go here! The team (physical therapists and staff) are extremely kind, professional, helpful, knowledgeable, and down-to-earth people that will guide you on your healing journey! The whole team worked together to bring me back to full health (listened to my concerns and worked with me each day), and I can confidently say that I feel amazing! I honestly looked forward to going to physical therapy just because of how outstanding the people are there. Not only are they professional, but they make physical therapy fun (definitely have conversations with them as they are knowledgeable and cool people as well). My whole family has gone here over the years and all of them say the same thing, that they are THE BEST!” —Kimmie R., actual 5 star review.
Specialty Spotlights
Dr. Rachel Stokes
Rachel joined the Empower team in December 2022. She moved to Anchorage from Pittsburgh, PA as a military spouse and immediately fell in love with Alaska. Her passion in PT is Pelvic Health. She most recently became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy. This places her amongst a small but elite group of therapists who have each dedicated thousands of hours to women’s health direct patient care. In addition to her physical therapy achievements, she has also obtained an Associate’s Psychology degree from the Community College of Allegheny County which she applies to better navigate the tough and sensitive conversations that can come along with this field.
Dr. Ryan Dupuis
Ryan started at Empower PT back in 2022. A born and raised Alaskan, Ryan has taken her passion for hands to the next level this year by earning her CHT (Certified Hand Therapist) distinction. This is a coveted certification only earned through over four thousand hours & three years working with upper extremities just to have the opportunity to take the exam. Finding a CHT can be difficult, especially in Alaska. Seeking care from Ryan can make a significant difference in your recovery & overall hand health. Her specialized knowledge and tailored treatment plans ensure you receive the best possible care for your hands, promoting faster healing & improved function.
Quick & Easy Healthy Recipe
Feta & Herb salmon
Immerse your taste buds in a crescendo of flavors as rich salmon meets the tangy embrace of feta and the aromatic touch of fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- 1 salmon fillet thawed
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
- 2 Tbsp roughly chopped fresh chives
- Juice from half a lemon
- 1/8 tsp salt
- Pinch of pepper
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil for easy clean up. Combine parsley, chives, Feta, lemon, salt and pepper on cutting board. Run knife through the combination several times, chopping up all ingredients to mix. Spread combined ingredients on salmon fillet. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Serve!
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
