Plains Physical Therapy

07/22/2025

Red flags for back pain: lasts more than a few days, shoots down your leg, causes numbness or tingling, or follows an injury. Don't tough it out - these signs mean it's time to see a physical therapist. When to seek help: https://www.plainsphysicaltherapy.com/summer-proof-your-back

07/17/2025

Walking is a skill achieved by most children between 8 and 17 months of age. An atypical walking pattern, or gait deviation, is when a child walks in a way that is different or unexpected for their age.

07/17/2025

Quick back relief that works anywhere: the Cat-Cow stretch. Get on hands and knees, arch your back up like an angry cat, then let it sag down. Do 10 slow movements. Great for long work days or after sitting too long. More stretches: https://www.plainsphysicaltherapy.com/summer-proof-your-back

07/11/2025

Update HB 585: Veto Override

We are getting down to the wire, and this is our final chance.

Current Results: https://sosmt.gov/elections/veto-polling-results/

What We Need to Succeed:
✅ 67 YES votes in the House
✅ 34 YES votes in the Senate
If a legislator does not vote, it counts as a NO vote.

As of now, we still need 46 more Representatives to cast their vote—hopefully with a YES.

This is it. Please take a moment to contact your legislators.

Urge them to vote YES to override the Governor’s veto of HB 585 and stand up for small businesses, fair Medicaid reimbursement, and access to care across Montana.

Thank you for being in this fight with us.

07/08/2025

🎉We are thrilled to share that Plains Pickleball has been selected to receive a 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant! Through this grant we will add courtside amenities at the two new outdoor pickleball courts at WSA. These amenities will include an equipment shed, perimeter pavers, benches and a windbreak.
AARP Livable Communities
AARP Montana

07/06/2025

Preventing a fall is easier and much better than treating a falls-related injury.

The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act would establish an Office of Falls Prevention tasked with identifying and treating veterans at risk of falling. Let your voice be heard: https://www.choosept.com/resources/advocacy?utm_campaign=choosept-nonguide&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation

06/28/2025

Dislocating the shoulder is a common traumatic injury for athletes, nonathletes, children, and adults. People who dislocate their shoulder usually need a health care professional to guide the joint back into place.

06/26/2025

Staying steady is important for preventing falls in people of all ages and abilities. Physical therapists help you maintain the strength and balance you need to age gracefully and prevent a fall.

Learn more from Choose PT: https://www.choosept.com/health-tips/6-exercises-promote-balance-home?utm_campaign=choosept-nonguide&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

APTA Orthopedics

06/25/2025

Our state legislators just received their ballots to override the veto on HB585. Please reach out to them to get this veto reversed.

Podcast Episode · Voices of Montana · 06/24/2025 · 38m

06/23/2025

Are you a swimmer looking to avoid swimmer's shoulder or neck pain this summer? Our latest post offers practical advice on maintaining good swimming form and the importance of gradually incorporating training equipment. Dive into our tips for a healthy and enjoyable swimming season: www.plainsphysicaltherapy.com/stay-active-and-injury-free-this-summer

06/18/2025

ACTION NEEDED: Help Establish Fair Access to Therapy in Montana
House Bill 585 was recently vetoed. It wasn’t about expanding Medicaid—it was a practical, data-driven solution to fix outdated reimbursement rates for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services.
Here are the voting results for HB 585 during the most recent legislative session:
HB 585: Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Adjustment for Rehab Providers
✅ Passed the House 82–15
✅ Passed the Senate 34–14
❌ Vetoed by Governor Gianforte
Right now, clinics across Montana are losing money every time they treat a Medicaid patient. On average:
• Physical Therapy: –$44/hour
• Occupational Therapy: –$51/hour
• Speech Therapy: –$68/hour
Nearly half of Montana’s therapists work in small businesses like ours. HB 585 would have brought Medicaid reimbursement in line with standards already used across Montana, based on 90% of the physician rate—a level that’s fair, familiar, and already part of state policy for other mid-level providers.
Without this fix, access to therapy—especially in rural communities—is disappearing.
However, we have a chance to override the Governor's veto. Montana Senators and House of Representative members will be receiving mail in ballots this week to vote once again on HB 585. They supported the bill once before, and we're asking for their support again. With a 70% "yes" vote, this bill will be signed into law.
We’re asking you to speak up. Please contact your state senator and representative and ask them to override the veto of HB 585. Find them here:
https://www.legmt.gov/districts
Let’s ensure that Montanans on Medicaid can receive therapy close to home—and that small businesses can afford to keep providing it.

06/15/2025

From walking to tai chi, staying active strengthens both body and mind, no matter your role in the care journey