By Gerri Miller
Staff Writer
Top Photo: At left is Nancy Alexander and at right is Dawn Sexton, owner.
Patty Arthurs admits she was a bit of a mess when she first entered a new Prattville company two months ago. She was walking into walls and doors and had lost her ability to drive.
Now the Prattville resident can walk straight, and she has learned methods to control her vertigo, all in a state-of-the-art facility. Arthurs is a patient at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers, a company located at 2092 Fairview Avenue in the Pratts Mill Shopping Center.
Physical therapists are experts in the art and science of the evaluation and treatment of the human body. They care for people of all ages and treat a variety of muscle, joint and neurological conditions.
Dawn Sexton is the owner of the Prattville company. Sexton began her career as an exercise physiologist in Anniston in 1990 after 10 years as a coach and biology and human anatomy teacher. That experience prompted her to return to school to pursue a master’s degree in Physical Therapy. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1996 then returned to Montgomery as part of the Rehab Associates team at Jackson Hospital.
In the fall of 2018, Dawn discovered FYZICAL while taking a CEU course online. It piqued her interest because she knew this approach was cutting edge and surpassed anything available in the River Region. After much research, investigation and prayer, Dawn purchased the franchise for the Prattville area. After purchase, Dawn assembled the best staff members based on client feedback and skill level to complete the FYZICAL team.
Nancy Alexander is also an important member of the team and serves as lead Physical Therapist Assistant. She brings a wealth of knowledge, skill and experience from her time at Rehab Associates and Phoenix Rehabilitation Center.
Nancy was inspired to follow a career path in physical therapy after a family member suffered multiple injuries in a serious accident. She witnessed the recovery process, the difference it made in her loved one’s life and knew she had found her calling.
She earned her degree from Jefferson State in Birmingham in 2005 and specializes in all forms of orthopedic rehabilitation and recovery from surgery. She said she especially enjoys working with athletes to overcome injury, so they return to peak performance.
So, what makes FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers so cutting edge? How many places use virtual reality to help patients? Sexton uses a rehab motion simulator to help patients with a variety of issues such as body imbalance, neurological disorders, strokes, fear of heights, crowds, driving, seasickness, travel sickness and more. Sexton sets a program for the patient, puts a VR headset on the patient, and the rehab motion simulator helps her figure out what needs to be worked on.
In another area of the facility, patients are placed in a harness that extends from the ceiling so that they can practice walking a rectangular track. This type of Balance Retraining Therapy has emerged over the past several years as an alternative treatment for patients with chronic non-resolved motion intolerance, visual sensitivity, and imbalance problems.
The goal is to improve balance function and visual motor control, increase general activity levels, and help the body compensate for inner ear disorders. “We utilize a state-of-the-art balance machine, and our balance therapy programs have a 99% balance improvement success rate,” Sexton said.
FYZICAL Therapy treats a wide variety of orthopedic problems – such as knee replacements, knee surgeries, OA, neck and back pain, shoulder and elbow issues, foot and ankle rehab, muscle weakness, rotator cuff tears and carpal tunnel. They have a GenuEASE for the patient to use after knee replacement that makes it easy to regain the range of motion both in extension and flexion.
Therapists can also help those with neurological conditions such as nerve and pain disorders, Peripheral neuropathy, gait and balance disorders, headaches, Parkinson’s Disease, traumatic brain injuries, strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, spinal cord injuries, Sciatica and radiculopathies and concussions.
“We give everybody who comes in a balance test first,” Sexton said. “We evaluate what’s going on and will reassess the issue later. Most people are here about 12 weeks.”
As for Arthurs, she said she would come every day if she could. “They really bring your spirits up,” she said. “They are friendly and funny. I feel at home here.”
Her husband, Gary Arthurs, said he has seen a huge difference in his wife since she started therapy here. She walks straight, no longer slumping over or bumping into things. “When I found out they were here in Prattville, my eyes lit up,” he said. “Birmingham had been the closest place for this type of therapy before. They have really changed her life.”
FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers has been open in Prattville since July and Sexton said she worked on getting it open for more than a year. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Email at prattville@fyzical.com. Call Dianna Church for an appointment at (334) 595-9990. See More Photos below.
