By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Photo/submitted
Northborough – When you are in pain, whether it is temporary or chronic, all you want is to feel better so that you may start enjoying your life again. At Flaherty Physical Therapy, owner Kevin Flaherty and his staff are committed to helping their patients not only feel better as soon as possible, but also to teaching ways to prevent future problems.
Throughout his 27 years of practice, Flaherty worked for several companies in central Mass. before opening his own business in December 2015. Certified in strength and conditioning, he has worked with many athletes both in his practice and as a youth coach.
Flaherty PT works with patients of all ages, from young teens to those in their 90s. Services include exercise training, manual therapy, orthotics, TMJ pain, spine pain, post-surgery rehab, amputee rehab, work with vestibular/vertigo dysfunction and balance and fall training.
Over the past year, Flaherty has offered a variety of free workshops focusing on different topics such as managing shoulder pain, lower back issues, neck pain and balance and dizziness. Each workshop, which lasts approximately one hour, covers how physical therapy treatments, exercise, proper stretching and breathing techniques can help you. Workshop participants also learn a few easy exercises designed to help them feel better right away.
The sessions are held during business hours allowing participants to see therapists in action.
“It gives them a chance to get a much better sense of what they might be able to do as well,” he said.
After each session Flaherty offers participants a free screening to see whether or not they might be a good candidate for physical therapy.
“Many times when people sign up for physical therapy somewhere they really don’t know what they are actually signing up for,” he said. “We make sure that our patients have individualized treatment plans that get them back to where they want to be.”
Another issue that often might make someone hesitant is the question – “Does my insurance cover this?”
Flaherty noted that his clinic does cover most insurance plans; he also has staff members on hand to assist potential clients to see if they are covered.
Educating people on the dangers of relying on opioids for pain management is another focus at Flaherty PT.
“We want to help people learn what they can do to avoid getting hooked on opioids,” Flaherty said. “We want to teach them how they can improve their life without using these and think of using PT and exercise instead of meds.”
Flaherty also has a program designed to help senior citizens assess their level of balance and risk factors for falling.
After a half-hour assessment, the team assesses the client’s risk of falling and recommends specific exercises that will help the senior strengthen and achieve better balance in their everyday lives.
Another program Flaherty PT offers is vertigo/vestibular training. Working with a therapist, clients receive specific treatments and learn exercises that will help them function better as they work toward recovering from this debilitating condition.
Flaherty also offers a free 60-day follow up for all of their clients after they finish their course of therapy.
“We do this as a way to help our clients stay consistent and encourage them to keep working so they don’t lose all their gains,” Flaherty said. “This allows us to also assess to see if more improvements are still needed.”
Flaherty has six other physical therapists along with Flaherty to better serve their clients.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 508-393-9000 or visit www.flahertyphysicaltherapy.com.
Flaherty Physical Therapy is located at 411 West Main St., #3, Northborough.