Definitely. So often people with heel, arch, ball of foot or toe pain are told that orthotics, shoes, injections or surgery are the only option. So often, these kinds of issues are actually the result of a combination of hip weakness and foot weakness. With this kind of therapy we'll address the movement and strength of your whole lower (and maybe upper!) body from your toes to your hips. We'll look at how you hold your body all day long while you're sitting, walking, standing or sleeping as well as what happens to each body part when you exercise. This is intentional, personalized treatment that ensures you know the intention of each exercise and movement.

As always, this depends. It depends on the actual source of the problem, the length of time it's existed and your general disposition. It depends on the severity and irritability of the problem and on how many muscles and joints are involved. It also might depend on how easily your body picks up and understands the different movements as well as your personal motivation. Some people feel better surprisingly quickly while some people can expect to be in therapy for a year or more. Over the first 6-8 weeks of any exercise program, your body is adapting to the new movement. Actual strength doesn't start to develop until after the initial 6-8 weeks of adaptation. And, just as you know a body builder didn't get those muscles over night, the strength and mobility you'll need to develop to make sure this doesn't happen again will take time to develop as well.

Arthritis is a normal part of aging. Think of it like wrinkles on the inside. We have plenty of research showing us that arthritis itself doesn't actually hurt, but the muscles and soft tissue around the joint can become extremely painful. Through a combination of massage, joint mobilizations, strengthening, stretching & posture changes, arthritis will become something you thrive with, not just something you tolerate. Even if it's "bone on bone."

Dr. Libby can provide physical therapy in the state of Iowa. She provides in-person services for people who can get to Des Moines. She can provide fitness + life coaching all over the world and she speaks fluent Spanish. Virtually, instead of treating the specific joint or muscle that's hurting, you'll work together to make sure your body moves symmetrically. This means the joints on the right side of the body will move the same as the joints on the left side of the body and the strength in the right leg is the same as the strength in the left. With almost 18 years experience as a physical therapist, there are many ways to see a strength or weakness and give personalized advice from afar.

Great question. We hear, "I wish I would have found you sooner," all the time. We look at the tiniest of joints and consider how they contribute to the big picture. Instead of doing simple boring exercises, we look at HOW you're moving your body. Often just changing how you do something makes it hurt so much less and feel so much more effective. With extensive Yoga Therapy, Pilates, Heavy Strength Training experience you'll get a practiced eye on how you move. In addition, your physical body is often only part of the picture. If appropriate (and it's almost always appropriate), you'll even discover how your mindset is blocking you from success. With experience in the mental health of chronic pain as well as certified professional coaching and a heavy interest in functional medicine, you'll find a sturdy wellness companion. You will never feel judged or shamed for how your body is moving, what you got done since last session or how your progress is going, because life happens.

Great question. The main reason is that insurance doesn't pay adequately for the kind of care delivered at LTPTC. It doesn't pay for mindset coaching, trigger point dry needling, or education of any kind, including relating to nutrition. Some sessions with Dr. Libby will be entirely talking and insurance wouldn't pay for that. When PT's provide the care they believe will get you better, they may end up getting reimbursed less than the maximum possible amount. This is a problem because Physical Therapy students have 6 figure medical student loan debt but are paid more like a public school teacher than a medical provider. Medical insurance has paid less and less to physical therapy practices over the last 20 years while the cost of living and the cost of physical therapy school is increasing, making it harder and harder to run a physical therapy practice and accept health insurance.

Of course. LTPTC will communicate with your physician as needed, though most people find LTPTC without a physician referral.

Definitely. As part of comprehensive physical therapy we'll do core exercises and back stretches so that you'll be able to stand, sit, walk, sleep & work with fewer symptoms.

Absolutely. Dr. Libby is actually one of the first pelvic floor physical therapists in the city of Des Moines. She has actually taught many of the pelvic floor physical therapists in Des Moines as a co-founder of Breathe. Physical Therapy & Wellness and as an instructor at Des Moines University. She will holistically help you with pelvic pain, vaginismus, bladder control, endometriosis, painful sex complications from bowel issues like constipation and fecal incontinence. She welcomes people with even the most complicated cases of pelvic pain as her coaching-based approach to physical therapy is uniquely suited to handle the delicate & complicated emotional & relationship-based contributions to pelvic floor problems and pelvic pain.