Homer Physical Therapy

Testimonials

1) I have learned how to strengthen and engage my core muscles in daily movement and to avoid injury.
2) I have learned to focus my mind, as well as my body, when I stretch and work muscles.
3) I know what neutral spine is for my body, how to find it while laying down, sitting or standing. I know      how to keep my body in alignment while I exercise, work, or relax.
4) My body is more flexible.
5) I am more aware of my body and how to offset aches and pains by correct alignment.
- Geneil Ballentine, 60, Homer

  The instructor for our Core Strengthening Class is highly skilled and is very adept at modifying virtually all of the activities to meet individual differences and needs. As a senior citizen with a herniated disc, regular attendance in this class has meant the difference between chronic, miserable pain and episodic pain due to the numerous benefits that I have received from regular class attendance where I have benefited from the postural, gait, balance, flexibility and strength skills taught in the class. It is a class that I would heartily recommend for adults of all ages who have challenges with these and probably other problems
- Roger Clyne

   This place makes me feel like my "second home" - sweet smells, flowers, oils and just wonderful people that heal in all facets. You are the best.
Thank you.
Sharon Smith

"Walking through the doors of HPT has been one of the best things I've ever done for myself. A back injury motivated me to come, but with a teen history of anorexia (lost muscle mass), a past injury to my sternum, and a serious childbirth injury 30 years ago, Sallie found more that needed work.
  The commitment has involved exercises, retraining muscles, manual therapy sessions, and lifestyle changes to accommodate all of this, but it has been worth every minute, every dollar and every change. I am not the same person, and this I find beyond exciting!
  The changes I see and feel in myself motivate me to continue, as do all the sweet staff gals at HPT, now my friends. They exhibit just the right blend of highly skilled professionalism and personal caring. They are efficient and able to think outside the box, all the while keeping advice practical. They are a blast to work with!
  I have benefited and learned so much from physical therapy, massage, and an exercise class offered by HPT, all of it excellent. I appreciate the way the staff collaborates as needed and thereby provides a unified approach to helping clients reach their goals. I am so grateful to have discovered this place, these people, and for all they are helping me to accomplish. THANKS... you've changed my life."

Sally Fisher
Age 54

 I have found ALL therapy at Homer Physical Therapy to be excellent. Sallie's people skills are as outstanding as her flexible and inventive physical therapy skills.

Amy Bollenbach
March 17, 2009

Homer Physical Therapy Helps

" I had been living with chronic shoulder and elbow pain for at least two years. It started out with a touch of tennis elbow in my right arm (self diagnosed) after I threw a ball for the dog. The arm just didn't get any better and at some point my right shoulder began to ache. I didn't give the injury the respect or attention it needed until finally it started to wake me up at night. There didn't seem to be a comfortable way for me to lay that my arm and/or shoulder wouldn't ache. There was no making peace with it. I needed help.

I made an appointment with our family doctor who ran me through some tests in which he determined that there was no damage to my rotator cuff. He recommended Homer Physical Therapy. Sallie met with me, listened to my laundry list of aches and pains, examined the shoulder and arm and gave me a few exercises to work on at home. I had three appointments at HPT over the course of a month. What I found was that doing the exercises or movements decreased the pain which motivated me to stay on the exercises. Pain is a great motivator. I have been mostly pain free for about 6 months now, and sleep the night through.

Before Sallie, when I would shake hands with someone I would have to control my face so as not to cringe because it would make my elbow hurt. The help I received from HPT was excellent care, I felt that I was given the time to learn and understand what was going on with my body. There was a little deep massage but mostly that helped to rebuild the shoulder support muscles.

Homer Physical Therapy was just what the doctor ordered. "


Bryan H

  "I am a music teacher and I always tell my students to practice, practice, practice. Many people say, "I wish I could play the (fill in the blank)." But wishing alone will not make an instrument play. Only daily, sustained, committed practice creates a fine musician.

  A few years ago I went to Homer Physical Therapy because I was in pain. I had pains in my legs and my right rotator cuff. Sallie Rediske, PT diagnosed the causes of my pain and together we set out to change the way I have moved for decades. It was a slow, steady, often tedious but always enlightening process. At every session with Sallie I learned specific exercises to practice. For years I had said, "I wish I could get rid of this pain in my (fill in the blank)." But wishing alone did not make my pain go away. Only daily, sustained, committed practice of prescribed PT exercises creates a pain free person.

  Occasionally one of my former pains will return. That's when I hear Sallie's instructive admonitions in my head. I have a marvelous repertoire stored in my brain. Sallie teaches you how to correct your lazy habits all by yourself. What a sense of autonomy that instills. My incredibly talented, efficient, articulate and engaging PT taught me to self correct my movement foibles FOR LIFE !"

  "Thank you Homer Physical Therapy and staff."

  Renda Horn
  Homer, Alaska
  Age: 60

  "I thought the incontinence I was having was part of getting older and exacerbated by being pregnant (at age  41). After giving birth, at which time I sustained significant pelvic injury, I thought surgery was the only way to get the problem fixed. While I did require surgery to fix the tissue damage, before I went into surgery, I was incontinence free! Sallie's expertise with bio-feedback and deep tissue physical therapy, and the exercises she taught me, put me in control before the surgery. Her help allowed me to lose very little muscle control post-op and I continue to be without incontinence. It was not only Sallie's knowledge but also her empathic nature and encouragement that helped make my experience completely worthwhile. I highly recommend Sallie and PT for incontinence."

  Lisa Zatz
  Age: 43

"I am so excited about what Sallie accomplishes!"
  Barbara Petersen

"I personally have never found anybody in the medical profession with a success rate even close to what I have experienced with Sallie at Homer Physical Therapy. She first cured my chronic ankle pain by modifying some of my weight training. Then she fixed my knee by adding some new exercises and stretching. After that I experienced shoulder pain due to improper weight training motion, and Sallie waved her wand and cured it in two weeks. I had my lower back fused in my thirties and then developed upper back/rib pain due to tight muscles. Sallie gave me some really neat stretches and said it would also help my lower back. Well, it completely eliminated all upper back pain and most definitely helped my lower back. I fully credit Sallie with keeping me in a condition where I can Alpine ski all day long, seven days a week, compete in bike races and do most anything else I desire. Hopefully Sallie will be in my corner when I hit my 60’s and 70’s for I do not plan on giving up any of these activities without one heck of a fight."

- Michael Warburton

"When I was 12 years old, in 1950, I was afflicted with polio. I was very sick, and spent 10 months away from home recovering. I basically did recover and lived a normal life. I married and had four children.
 
Around 1985 I started having problems with my back and leg muscles. I was made aware of post polio syndrome, or the late effects of polio, through articles I read in various publications. I went to a chiropractor for several years and he helped me. But, there came a time when that didn't help anymore. The medical profession was uneducated in the matter, for the most part, and I was even told at one point that mental health might help me. I had been sent to physical therapy where they employed the "use it or lose it" theory.
 
In 2001 I found Sallie Rediske right here in Homer, Alaska! What a blessing! She was actually trained in a post-polio clinic and knew how to approach my problems. She taught me that I should
conserve what I had left and planned a routine of stretches and non-stressful exercises that have been very beneficial for me. She has been very encouraging and is interested in me and my physical problems. I feel truly fortunate to have her as my physical therapist and friend."
- Ramona Bracht

"Wow! I've had back pain for months and months. I went to the chiropractor twice and had relief for two minutes. But Theresa (HPT massage therapist) with just one session gave me lasting relief. I haven't had to use ice or heat since. I want to make another appointment!"
Sue W July 2007

  

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