Please join us in congratulating Dr. Peterson on a remarkable career in orthopedic surgery. We are extremely grateful for the contributions he has made to our practice and to the musculoskeletal wellbeing of people in Northeastern Oklahoma.
Dr. Peterson is originally from Minnesota, where he earned his MD at the University of Minnesota. He first came to Tulsa for his undergraduate degree at Oral Roberts University.
He completed an internship in general surgery and a residency in orthopedic surgery through the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Over the years, Dr. Peterson has received several awards, including the Commendation for Humanitarian Services to the Veteran, through the VA Medical Center in Northport, New York, in 1982.
Dr. Peterson’s practice has focused on general orthopedics, giving him an opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with families in Northeastern Oklahoma. Prior to joining Tulsa Bone & Joint in 2010, he was in private practice at Broken Arrow Bone and Joint Specialists with Dr. Marcy Clements. He previously served as partner at Broken Arrow Orthopedics, Green Country Orthopedics and Bone and Joint Surgery Associates, S.C. in Madison, Wisc.
Join us in wishing Dr. Peterson a very blessed and well-deserved retirement.
By Anton Urgello, PT, Tulsa Bone & Joint Owasso
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a painful condition that occurs when there is inflammation or irritation of the tendons that attach to the outside of your elbow. This is typically caused by overloading or repetitive motion of your wrist and arm resulting in tiny tears of the tendons of the forearm muscles.
Despite its name, tennis players are not the only people who develop tennis elbow. Other athletes can develop this as well as folks who have jobs that require them to perform repetitive motions with their wrist and elbow (e.g., painters, desk/office workers, plumbers, electricians).
This condition can be really painful and limiting especially with normal daily activities that require twisting, turning or gripping. Fortunately, this condition can be treated conservatively. Stretching your wrist flexors and wrist extensors and performing eccentric exercises, where you are lowering your wrist slowly after raising it, are quite helpful with reducing and relieving your pain.
A visit to Tulsa Bone & Joint Physical Therapy is also a very good option, as we are equipped with the knowledge to educate you about your condition as well as guide you through an exercise program specific to you and the activities that you would like to return to.
Try the Wrist Flexor stretches below to help improve the mobility of your wrist and stretch the forearm muscles.
By Kayla Cheney, PTA, Tulsa Bone & Joint Owasso
The human body has an innate mechanism to promote physical and mental health that is often better than certain pharmaceuticals. Laughing has been proven to help individuals of all ages overcome difficult life situations both physically and emotionally. Thousands of studies have been done all over the world on this very topic. One study from Norway followed over 53,000 participants for 15 years and found those with a better sense of humor that laughed more readily outlived their counterparts by an average of 8 years.
So what does laughter actually do for our bodies? The Mayo Clinic and the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences have compiled a list of physical and mental health benefits of laughing:
● Laughing is a natural painkiller. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, the happiness hormone, which decreases the perception of pain.
● Laughing increases the intake of oxygen-rich air which stimulates heart, lungs, and other organs. This increase of oxygen in the blood improves vascular function and decreases the risk of heart attacks.
● Laughter stimulates circulation and aids in muscle relaxation, which can be especially beneficial for a postoperative patient.
● Laughing can lower blood pressure by releasing endorphins that negatively affect stress hormones.
● Laughing boosts the immune system by combating the chemical reactions created by negative thoughts and emotions. When you laugh, you release infection-fighting antibodies and neuropeptides that help fight stress.
● Laughing assists in weight loss. Chronic stress causes weight gain. Laughing for 10-15 minutes a day can burn 40 calories.
With so much evidence supporting better heart health, improved immune system, and the release of stress fighting endorphins, we would all benefit from more laughter. Did I mention the weight loss thing? Laughter has no negative side effects and is readily available. Perhaps we should take laughter more seriously in living a longer, healthier life.
Although physical therapy is no laughing matter, at Tulsa Bone & Joint Physical Therapy, we strive to make your experience positive, encouraging, and enjoyable.
Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates is pleased to collaborate with Professional Physical Therapy Inc. (PPT) in the opening of its fifth physical therapy location at 4612 S. Harvard Ave. in Tulsa.
Tulsa Bone & Joint Midtown PT combines the expertise of physical therapists Helen Pratt and Cindy Odle, along with Tulsa Bone & Joint DPT Shawn Mayes. PPT has specialized in the care of orthopedic conditions for more than 39 years, so it is a natural fit into the Tulsa Bone & Joint family.
“We are excited to offer Tulsans a midtown physical therapy clinic that combines our 39 years of expertise with Tulsa Bone and Joint team’s excellence in orthopedics,” says Helen Pratt, PT. “We have worked with their patients for years and have a great relationship that can only improve care with closer cooperation.”
All Tulsa Bone & Joint Physical Therapy locations accept prescriptions from any physician – not just orthopedists. Additionally, PT clinics are able to see patients without a physician’s referral through direct access. Tulsa Bone & Joint and Professional Physical Therapy Inc. welcome the opportunity to show all Tulsans our compassionate, patient-centered care at any of our PT locations.
The other four Tulsa Bone & Joint Physical Therapy locations are located at the main campus at 4800 S. 109th E. Ave. in Tulsa, Bartlesville, Owasso and Sand Springs. Tulsa Bone & Joint Midtown PT can be reached at 918-744-1331.
By Sara Murray, DPT
October is Physical Therapy month!
Here at Tulsa Bone & Joint, we currently have 24 PTs and 11 PTAs across 5 different locations, all working hard to provide excellent patient care and get people back to living their lives to the fullest. They have a wide range of experience and backgrounds, ranging from 25+ years to new graduates. Our therapists use a variety of adjunctive techniques, including ASTYM, dry needling, and manual therapy.
Below are some FAQs about physical therapy to help you have a better understanding of the profession.
What is physical therapy, and what does a physical therapist do? PTs are movement specialists. We are trained to assess your movement, strength, and functional ability. We provide evidence based care through exercises, hands-on techniques, and patient education. We evaluate patients and create a plan of care based on the person’s impairments and functional limitations. We strive to restore movement, strengthen weak muscles, improve mobility, and manage pain.
How long do you have to go to school to become a physical therapist? PT school is currently 3 years, and you receive a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, DPT, upon completion. In order to apply for PT school, you are required to have a Bachelor’s degree, take the GRE, complete observation hours, and complete all prerequisite courses. After graduating from an accredited university, you must pass a state licensure exam in order to receive a PT license to practice in your state of choice.
What is the difference between a PT and a PTA? A PT is a physical therapist, and a PTA is a physical therapist assistant. A PT will evaluate you, but both PTs and PTAs are capable of carrying out the plan of care in subsequent visits. PTAs complete 2 years of schooling and are skilled in choosing appropriate exercises and manual techniques that are best for you as the patient, all under the supervision of your PT.
What type of settings can I work in as a physical therapist? There are multiple settings and specialties available to you after graduation. The most common PT settings are outpatient, acute/hospital, inpatient, and home health.
Do I need to see a doctor before starting physical therapy? No! Oklahoma has a limited form of direct access, which means you can be seen by a physical therapist without a referral. However, this is limited to 30 days, and after that time, you will need a referral from a doctor in order to continue with physical therapy.
What should I expect during a physical therapy session? Your first session is typically an evaluation, where the physical therapist will ask you questions, take objective measurements, and assess for impairments. Your physical therapist will also give you a home exercise program with exercises and stretches to get you started on your road to recovery. They may also use manual techniques including joint mobilization and therapeutic massage to address your pain. Subsequent visits will include treatments and techniques based on your specific impairments and what you and your physical therapist discuss during the evaluation.
