Celebrate Physical Therapy Month with a FREE Consultation!
Columbus Physical Therapy, Humphrey Physical Therapy, and Northeast Nebraska Physical Therapy invites you to take the first step toward living pain-free and moving better.
For one day only, enjoy a FREE Physical Therapy Consultation with our expert team.
✅ Identify the source of pain or limitations
✅ Learn how personalized therapy can help you recover, prevent injury, and stay active
✅ No referral needed
Monday, October 14
Spaces are limited—don’t miss this opportunity to start your journey to a healthier, more active YOU!
Find Relief from Osteoarthritis Pain
Are you experiencing persistent joint pain, particularly in a weight-bearing joint like your hip or knee? Do you ever notice a clicking or grinding sensation in your painful joint? If so, you may have developed osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis in the United States.
Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 conditions that cause joint inflammation and lead to pain and restricted mobility. The source of that inflammation will vary depending on the type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage and bone tissue in the affected joint.
Osteoarthritis has no cure and can profoundly impact your overall quality of life, making it harder for you to stay active, keep up with chores, and enjoy time with your loved ones. Fortunately, physical therapy at Columbus Physical Therapy offers several tools and techniques to help you manage your symptoms — often enough that you can delay or even avoid surgical interventions.
If you’re tired of living with osteoarthritis pain, call us to schedule an appointment today!
Understanding Osteoarthritis: Symptoms and Causes
The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the affected joint. These symptoms often manifest in the following ways:
- Pain during activity but not while at rest
- Pain when you press on the joint
- Joint stiffness first thing in the morning
- Joint stiffness after sitting or lying down for long periods
- Noises in the joint, including creaking, cracking, or crunching
While any joint can develop osteoarthritis, it most commonly occurs in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. However, it’s also fairly common in the hands, spine, and feet.
The causes of osteoarthritis are complex, and several factors can contribute to it. One of these factors is age: approximately 73% of people with the condition are 55 years or older. That’s not to say osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of the aging process — plenty of older people don’t have it. But your chances of developing it do increase as you age.
Other possible factors contributing to osteoarthritis include past injuries to the joint, gender (women are more likely to develop it than men), body weight, and even genetic predispositions.
How Physical Therapy Helps Manage Osteoarthritis Symptoms
The good news is that you can control osteoarthritis symptoms with the help of physical therapy. Although movement can be painful with osteoarthritis, exercise is one of the best drug-free ways to manage the condition. Our physical therapists will help you find an exercise program that suits your needs.
Here’s how we’ll do it:
Comprehensive Evaluation:
Provide Pain Relief:
Build Strength and Restore Mobility
Develop An At-Home Exercise Program:
Provide Strategies for Activity Modifications:
Don’t Let Osteoarthritis Pain Hold You Back!
We know that living with osteoarthritis can be difficult, but the physical therapists at Columbus Physical Therapy are here to help you manage your condition and live your life to the fullest. With customized treatment plans, targeted exercise programs, and acute pain management techniques, physical therapy can help you take control of osteoarthritis pain.
Ready to get started? Call us to schedule your initial consultation today!
Exercise of the Month
MEDIAN NERVE GLIDE
Stand tall with your arm extended in front of you at shoulder height, palm facing up. Use your opposite hand to gently grasp your thumb. Slowly extend your wrist and fingers back. Return to the starting position with control. Perform the motion gently and smoothly.
3 Sets, 10 Reps (each arm).
Get Your Health Back on Track This National Physical Therapy Month
October is National Physical Therapy Month, and at Columbus Physical Therapy, PC, we’re celebrating by reminding our communities in Columbus, Humphrey, and Norfolk that physical therapy is one of the safest and most effective ways to overcome pain, restore movement, and improve overall health.
If you’ve been struggling with pain, recovering from surgery, or dealing with an injury that limits your daily activities, our highly skilled therapists are here to guide you back to doing what you love. Unlike quick fixes that only mask symptoms, physical therapy addresses the root of the problem and provides lasting solutions tailored to your needs.
Why choose physical therapy? Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Improved mobility and range of motion: Therapy helps joints, muscles, and connective tissues move more freely so you can return to work, sports, and everyday life.
- Restored strength: Whether from injury, surgery, or poor movement habits, we identify weaknesses and build them back up to support healthier movement.
- Better overall health: PT encourages healthier habits, improved posture, and increased activity, all of which reduce pain and enhance wellness.
- Lower risk of re-injury: By teaching you safer movement patterns, we help protect your body from future setbacks.
At Columbus Physical Therapy, PC, we believe care should be generous, clearly understood, and focused on helping you achieve real results. Our mission is to positively impact lives by combining compassion, encouragement, and expert treatment for every patient we see.
If pain or limitation is holding you back, there’s no better time to take the first step. Call any of our three locations today or request an appointment with a click of the button below, or at www.columbusphysicaltherapy.com. Let’s make this National Physical Therapy Month the start of your journey back to health.
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Working Out With Arthritis: Tips from Our PTs
Now that you know skipping physical activity can worsen arthritis symptoms, you’re probably wondering how to keep moving safely. Don’t worry: the team at Columbus Physical Therapy is here to help!
Your first step is to schedule an appointment with us. It’s essential that you have a clear idea about which activities you can safely participate in without putting too much pressure on your joints. We can also work with you to strengthen any muscular imbalances and generally get you ready to get moving.
We can also share which activities are suitable for people with arthritis. You want to select low-impact workouts that go easy on the joints. Most importantly, however, whatever you choose should be fun.
Why? Because the more fun you’re having, the more likely you are to keep doing it!
Physical Therapist-Approved Exercise Ideas
Once you’ve been cleared to start a new exercise program, here are some ideas from our PTs to get you started:
- Walking, either outside (preferably on a dirt trail) or inside on a treadmill
- Golf
- Cycling
- Swimming
- A customized exercise program at Columbus Physical Therapy
If you have any questions about working out with arthritis, don’t hesitate to call us! Our team is happy to guide you through the process.
Your Success Is Our Priority!
Return to Columbus Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Warm, spiced pumpkin baked oatmeal makes the perfect cozy breakfast, packed with comforting fall flavors. It’s hearty, wholesome, and easy to enjoy for a nutritious start to your day.
Healthy Recipe
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
- 2 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 (15 oz) can unseasoned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup, plus more for serving
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- Whole-milk plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt for serving
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 7-by-11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine oats, milk, pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup, oil, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking powder, vanilla and salt in a large bowl; mix well. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish; sprinkle with pecans. Bake until golden on top and set, about 40 minutes. Serve with yogurt and/or maple syrup, if desired.
October Word Scramble
dancy
nlhealeow
mkpupin
rwcrcesao
ealevs
dierc
Answer Key
candy
halloween
pumpkin
scarecrow
leaves
cider
Kaylee Jensen, DPT
Columbus PT
Arthritis Workshop (Columbus)
Whether your arthritis affects your knees, hips, hands, shoulders, or spine — this workshop, Kaylee Jensen, DPT, will give you the knowledge and tools to take control of your pain and get back to doing what you love.
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
Ashely Reestman, PTA
Northeast Nebraska PT
Arthritis Workshop (Norfolk)
Whether your arthritis affects your knees, hips, hands, shoulders, or spine — this workshop, Ashley Reestman, PTA, will give you the knowledge and tools to take control of your pain and get back to doing what you love.
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
Patient Testimonial
“I began with weakness in my hand and arm following ulnar nerve surgery. My hope was to improve strength and dexterity so I could play the piano again and enjoy some of my hobbies. Those goals were accomplished!
I was impressed with the friendly, caring staff, and my therapist, Lindy, was excellent. She guided me through fun and engaging activities, always offering encouragement. She was both knowledgeable and enjoyable to work with, and I could feel progress each week.
This experience was both excellent and rewarding. I truly appreciate everyone who contributes to this place!”
-Annette S.
Staff Highlights
🎉 Spreading the Feel Good Experience
We had such a fun time celebrating Columbus Days this year! Several members of our team, along with their kids, joined in the parade and walked through the streets of Columbus sharing our Feel Good Experience with the community. It was a wonderful day filled with smiles, laughter, and hometown pride.
💍 Cheers to the Rittscher Newlyweds
A big congratulations goes out to Katie and her new husband, Elijah Rittscher! The two tied the knot on May 31st and celebrated their honeymoon in beautiful Jamaica. From scuba diving and beach volleyball to soaking up the sunshine and enjoying local cuisine, their trip was the perfect way to kick off married life together. Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness!
Staff Spotlight: Cheyenne Raine Ballavi McBride
Role at CPT/HPT/NPT: PTA at our Humphrey location
With CPT/HPT/NPT since: HPT since fall of 2022 (3 years).
Education/Certifications: Associate’s in applied science, Physical Therapy Assistant Degree from NECC, APTA member for Nebraska Chapter/National Chapter.
What you love most about your job: I love getting to turn patients worst physical, mental, or emotional times in their lives… into their best come back, success, or wins of their lives.
Professional Highlight: The first time a patient who had discharged dropped by the clinic to say hello to me and tell me how they have been able to go back to normal life stuff without pain.
Get to Know Me
- Favorite hobby: Playing the piano or working out.
- Fun fact: I was adopted at 5 months old from India.
- Favorite movie/sport/team: My Favorite movie is Black Hawk Down, favorite sport is Baseball/Softball, and favorite team is the New York Yankees.
- Coffee order or go-to snack: Carmalicious from scooters for coffee.
