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Healing Physically, Mentally and Emotionally: Elizabeth’s Success Story

June 26, 2024 | Patient Success Stories
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By, Allison R. Weder

“I would spend many of my days laying on the couch or in bed. Just doing everyday tasks was difficult for me. Eventually, I had to stop working.” Elizabeth Eppenbach was experiencing debilitating headaches and terrible dizzy spells. She sought help from doctors and specialists, but no one could find the cause of her headaches or offer relief. She learned physical therapy may be an option for her. “I went in open minded, and really hoped to get some relief. After many visits to various doctors with no real relief, I was skeptical that it would work.”

Elizabeth needed to find a Physical Therapist with expertise in relieving headaches and one who was caring and compassionate. After going through months of pain, she was struggling physically and emotionally. “A few of my family members had been going to Phoenix Physical Therapy in Watsontown, (Pennsylvania) for different reasons and have enjoyed it.  When my daughter had to go for her shoulder, they were very patient and understanding with her.” Elizabeth felt comfortable knowing her friends and family saw real results with Clinic Director, Castan Kiersch, PT, MSPT and the Watsontown team.

Each Phoenix patient spends their first appointment with a Physical Therapist discussing the reasons they are including physical therapy on their road to better health. It is a time to talk about pain levels, mobility issues, and goals, and ends with a unique therapy plan created specifically for them. Elizabeth recalls that session. “When I had gotten there, Castan and I sat and talked a little while so he could understand the nature of my headaches and dizziness. We talked about putting a plan in motion to try to relieve some of my pain.”

With a plan in place, the therapy could begin right away. “It started with me working on some neck stretches and some c-spine massages. I had ice packs placed under the back of my head to help with headaches. Then, they wrapped heat packs around my neck to help relieve the pain.” Each session progressed with new exercises and techniques building on the earlier ones. Physical Therapist Assistant, Kathleen (Kate) Carey, PTA, teamed up with Castan to complete many of Elizabeth’s sessions. “Later, we added some isometrics, which are other types of neck stretches. Kate did some muscle massages, and several body stretches. I also used the arm bike to help with my shoulder muscles that needed to be loosened from holding my head a certain way to help with my headaches.”

It did not take long for Elizabeth to start seeing progress. “My very first appointment was amazing. I went in with a horrible headache. I went home and took a four-hour nap. I hadn’t been getting good sleep because I couldn’t get comfortable enough. After a few visits I was sleeping so much better. My headaches started to become more manageable, and my dizziness started to get better.”

Elizabeth attended therapy three days a week for several months. She got to know the whole Watsontown team, including Physical Therapist, Hope Becker, DPT, and Patient Care Coordinators, Kylie Wagner, and Joni Weaver. “Every person there was so understanding and patient with me. I came with a lot, and they helped me more than just physically. My mental state and emotional state needed some help too. They went above and beyond to help me in every way that they could. Kate is such a good listener and supporter. I feel she helped me in more ways than she had to being my Physical Therapist. I am very thankful for that. If I was having a bad day the team would help me work through whatever the situation with no pressure and no judgement. If I couldn’t do a certain exercise for any reason, they would just give me something a little easier that I could do.”

Elizabeth has reached many of her goals and is grateful she is once again able to do many of the things she loves to do and needs to do. “Because of physical therapy I can spend time with my family, and I can leave my house a little more. I can drive again and as silly as it sounds, I can do the dishes and the laundry. I’m able to do some of those everyday tasks I was not able to do before.” She has this to say to people who may unsure physical therapy will help them. “I have often expressed to many people how physical therapy has helped me. I tell them they should give Phoenix in Watsontown a try. The team there will help you in any way that they can. You can’t lose by going. You will be so pleased that you did.”

Choosing Phoenix PT-Watsontown was easy for Elizabeth. But she did not expect to find a group of people she can trust with her mind and body. “My injury story is not something you hear about very often. After hearing it they helped me work through some heavy things weighing on me. They understand that I have issues with putting trust in others. They were very understanding and patient, and for that I am very grateful. To Castan, Kate, and Hope I want to say thank you for everything you did and continue to do to help me heal mentally, physically, and emotionally though this journey!”

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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