Physical Therapy

Susie Croke, M.P.T., C.S.C.S.

Susie Croke, M.P.T., C.S.C.S., received a B.S. in Exercise Science/Physical Education from Arizona State University in 1991, where she was a N.C.A.A. Division I All-American member of the swim team.  She is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles receiving her Master's degree in Physical Therapy in 1993.  Susie has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist since 2002. Her clinical emphasis has been in orthopedic manual therapy and rehabilitation with an interest in sports conditioning.  Susie has had experience training and competing in powerlifting, and continues to swim and compete in open water races.

 What is Orthopedic Physical Therapy?  

Orthopedic Physical Therapy is a health care specialty involved with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as rehabilitating patients post orthopedic surgery.  Joint mobilization, strength training and corrective exercise instruction, mobilization to soft tissues (muscular, connective tissue), low level laser, electrical stimulation, and use of hot packs/cold packs are all modalities often used to expedite recovery in an orthopedic setting.

What to expect from your first physical therapy appointment...

The assessment begins with a subjective examination when the therapist will ask questions about your health and about the problem you're seeking treatment for.  During the objective examination or physical assessment, the physical therapist will examine posture and bony alignment, and perform tests on strength, range of motion, flexibility, and joint and soft tissue mobility.  Based on information provided in the subjective and objective exams, the physical therapist will make a clinical diagnosis and provide treatment that may be as simple as home/gym exercises, or more complex such as joint mobilization, soft tissue/trigger point mobilization and massage, or modalities such as low level laser or electrical stimulation.