Welcome to Dawn Thomas Physical Therapy, where we deliver customized care right to your door. Our in-home services blend convenience with quality therapy tailored to your lifestyle, helping you move better, feel better, live better.
Virtual Physical Therapy
The process of working together virtually can be done on any device including phone, laptop, tablet or computer. You don't need special skills to connect with us this way. We can walk you through the process. Our problem solving process is the same as in person. We work together on education, movement re-training, exercise and make modifications to meet your goals. Often times the self treatment techniques we teach people virtually are extremely effective and can meet your needs just as in person.
Embark on your journey to convenience and personalized care with Telehealth. If you're contemplating whether virtual physical therapy aligns with your needs, we've made it simple to find out. Just fill out a quick form, and let’s assess together how Telehealth can seamlessly integrate into your lifestyle for effective treatment.
In Home Physical Therapy
The evaluation will include a deep dive into your medical and functional history as well as your present status to determine the root of your main problem. If you have a problem that has not been solved despite prior efforts or treatments we can determine a thorough approach to strategies to solve your problem. If you are willing and ready to learn how to make changes to your habits, your current exercise routine and don't want to accept the status quo for your decrease in function we can help you.
Senior Fitness
Together We Will Transform Your Functional Life!
You will stand taller, Walk longer in your community, Breathe easier, Be safer, Learn how to MOVE BETTER, Reach further, Squat lower with grandkids and Lift better in the garden
When you have medical issues and some aches and pains it is hard to know how or if you can learn how to exercise and stretch safely. Senior fitness is about smashing those age brackets and feeling functionally younger than your age in years.
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Call us and tell us your functional goal. You will be surprised at what you can do.
Goals
We will discuss what your goals are at present and for the future. These goals can be anything from being able to get up from the ground or stairs with more ease, to participating skiing, gardening or walking with less limitation.
Assessment
We will test and measure:
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Health
Functional Strength, Power and Muscle Endurance
Flexibility and Range of Motion
Aerobic Capacity and Activity Tolerance
Balance and Coordination
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Functional Outcome Measures
This means test and measures that tell us how much functionally younger you are as we put in the work. They have names like the 6 Minute Walk, 2 Minute Step, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment, 30 Second Sit to Stand, Arm Curl Test, and the Activities Specific Balance Scale. You will be proud of your score tracker!
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Exercise
Here is where the fun starts. We will work toward incorporating strengthening, cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility and balance and coordination.
Neurological PT
We break down your movement and mobility problem into manageable strategies to help you function how you want to. This could be to be able to garden, walk the dog, improve safety in the home, or hike a trail.
Neurological physical therapy is a treatment that focuses on improving the function of your movement and motor control when you have a diagnosis related to your nervous system. These could include stroke (CVA), Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis or Balance Disorder. Over the years, we have been able to merge our experience in all stages of rehabilitation of patients with neurological issues with our expertise in orthopedics. This allows us to address both systems with an expert eye and allows us to facilitate your progress toward the goals we set together.
You could benefit from neurological physical therapy if you have had a stroke in the past, or have a balance deficit that is impairing your ability to participate meaningfully in the activities that you enjoy.
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Treatment is focused on solving your movement problem by improving your balance, coordination, motor control of your trunk and extremities as well as build up your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Let's Discuss Your Specific Situation
Taking the first step towards a partnership that focuses on YOU opens the door to personalized care. Our dedicated team is eager to understand your challenges, aspirations, and goals. With our comprehensive assessment, we tailor a therapy plan that's as unique as you are, promising not just improvements but a journey towards lasting wellness.
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Your health and comfort are our utmost priority. Let's take this step together because your optimal health is our shared goal.
Orthopedic PT
We specialize in fixing pain and stiffness in muscles and joints to get the mature athlete back to the sport they love.
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Orthopedic Physical Therapy is a treatment that focuses on improving the function of your musculoskeletal system which includes your bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This is our true area of expertise. With advanced training in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT), we are able to use these advanced skills and knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to efficiently evaluate and treat your orthopedic conditions.
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OMPT is a specialization in the understanding, evaluation and management of complex orthopedic pathology. Treatment utilizing these skills could include education and self management techniques, medical exercise instruction, functional massage, joint and soft tissue mobilization and joint manipulation.​
​You could benefit from orthopedic physical therapy if you have any issue involving joints, or soft tissue that is impairing your ability to participate meaningfully in the activities you enjoy.
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Treatment is focused on helping you to build up your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Pre or Post Surgical
If you are planning on having surgery (spine, joint replacement, rotator cuff repair), We can help you prepare by educating you on your specific situation, teach you strengthening and range of motion exercises to maximize your smooth recovery. Our extensive experience in post surgical rehab will serve to speed your recovery. We take your recovery seriously and take the time to communicate with your doctor and research the latest research on your specific situation.
Overuse Injuries/Arthritis
We often find clients that have chronic pain or stiffness due to overuse or arthritis who think they can not be helped. Once they find their way to us and we assess their unique movement dysfunction, identify the specific deficits that CAN be improved upon, work on their specific pattern of weakness and stiffness with specialized techniques there is IMPROVEMENT in function. The client is surprised, empowered to manage their orthopedic issues and enjoy activities that they can return to.
Spine Rehab
The health of the spine with its 24 bones stacked on top of each other with discs in between is very important for the function of our bodies. Degenerative changes, herniated discs, scoliosis and stenosis are a few of the conditions we can help you manage. My background with OMPT and teaching courses regarding the spine to post-graduate physical therapists taught me the respect the intricacies of the spine and its function. Identifying the mechanical imbalances that can include joint and muscle stiffness, muscle weakness and overall core dysfunction are the keys to successful spinal rehab.
Sports Rehab
We have a love and appreciation for sport and athleticism. Our lifelong participation in a variety of competitive sport allows us to relate to athletes on many levels. Through our own competitive involvement and patient experience, we have a particular expertise in sailing, gymnastics, performing arts, diving, swimming, and most recently triathlon. Each sport comes with its unique demands and common patterns of injury. If you know what to look for in terms of muscle imbalance and movement dysfunction you can self-correct problems possibly contributing to your injury.
Community Classes
Elevate your wellness journey with Dawn Thomas PT's Community Classes, where expert physical therapists guide you through science-backed strategies for functional improvement. Conveniently located at the Birmingham First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center, these classes offer a blend of professional care and community spirit. Join us and discover more about our transformative classes.
Walking Class
Join our Community Wellness Classes at Dawn Thomas PT, where our expert physical therapists empower you with the most effective, science-based strategies to enhance your functional abilities. Hosted at the serene Birmingham First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center, these sessions are your gateway to a healthier, more vibrant life.
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This class is currently on hold until further notice.
Contact us for more information.
Balance Class
Step into a space where balance meets wellness at Dawn Thomas PT's specialized classes. Crafted by leading physical therapy experts, these sessions are your pathway to achieving harmony and stability in every step you take. Held in the welcoming environment of the Birmingham First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center, our classes are designed to bring you closer to your wellness goals. Experience the difference professional guidance can make in your journey towards a balanced life. Join us and find your footing in health and wellness.
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This class is currently on hold until further notice.
Contact us for more information.
TPI Golf Assessments
What is TPI?
TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) is the world's leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. For over twenty years, TPI has gathered the world’s largest technical database of the game’s top Tour professionals as well as every-day golfers. TPI collects 3D motion capture, force, pressure, launch monitor, strength, power, and movement data on every player that visits the TPI campus. Using this data, TPI discovered how a properly functioning body allows a player to swing a golf club in the most efficient way possible. Conversely, TPI determined how physical limitations in a player’s body can adversely affect the golf swing and potentially lead to injury. This relationship is what TPI calls The Body-Swing Connection and is the foundation of all professional Certification courses offered by TPI.
TPI’s Mission
TPI’s mission is to educate golfers and industry professionals on the Body-Swing Connection through its one of a kind TPI Certified educational program.
TPI’s Philosophy
TPI believes that golfers should match their swing style to their movement capabilities. The philosophy is simple:
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There are an infinite number of ways to swing a golf club. However, there is one most-efficient way for each player to swing a club and it is based on what they can physically do.
TPI’s Assessment Screen
If you don’t assess, it’s just a guess.
To achieve an efficient swing, a golfer must first be screened. A proper screen involves an assessment of swing mechanics, biomechanics, physical fitness, movement quality, current health, and injury history.
The TPI movement screen is a simple test to quickly evaluate a player’s physical capabilities. The results of that assessment are used to determine how technical elements of the player’s swing could be related to what their body can or cannot do. Once this screen is finished, the results are used to create a plan unique for that golfer. The plan may include fitness training, physical therapy and treatment, coaching of swing mechanics and biomechanics, nutrition, mental strategy or all of the above.