Courtesy Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy
By Maureen Werther
Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy PC is celebrating its 20th year in business.
Owner Denise Buher opened the business in 1996, after working for several years as a senior therapist on the staff of Glens Falls Hospital. Buher is a certified therapist in mechanical diagnosis and therapy of the spine from the McKenzie Institute. She is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Starting out as a solo practitioner, she hired a physical therapy assistant the following year, and he is still part of the practice today.
Gradually, she added more employees and now, 20 years later, she manages a staff of 15 people, including four full-time and two part-time physical therapists, one full-time and two part-time PT assistants, with six administrative and support staff.
The practice now operates out of two locations. One is a state-of-the-art facility located at 3 Hunter Brook Lane in Queensbury and the other, at 1391 Route 9 in Moreau, opened in 2005 and has been completely renovated.
Buher and her team work to assess musculo-skeletal problems by looking at the body's movement and analyzing pain patterns to determine the cause of the pain. They work with patients suffering from sports and work-related injuries, as well as arthritis and overuse injuries. Many other patients who are recovering from fractures or surgery also benefit from working with Buher and her team.
The team also works with patients on ways to prevent injuries by assessing workplace ergonomics and identifying patterns that can cause future injuries.
The team observes and coaches employees at their work site to correct the root causes of discomfort, while providing education on safe body mechanics and posture.
Buher attributes their growth and reputation in the community to the quality of services.
"I knew that I could create and provide a better environment for both the patients and my employees, and I believe that is why people continue to come to us," she said. "I've had people come up to me in the mall, at the grocery store, or at a restaurant, telling me about the high quality of treatment and support they have received at our clinics."
Buher and her experienced staff pride themselves on providing a warm, friendly, caring and healing atmosphere for their patients.
"Making this our focus and priority has resulted in a culture of caring and treatment of which we are all proud to be a part," she said.
In September, as part of their 20th anniversary celebration, Buher is working with other local business owners, politicians, and nonprofit groups to hold a community service day, dedicated to educating people about the growing heroin and opioid epidemic.
The day-long event will be held outdoors under tents on the property of the Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy in Queensbury. The date has not been determined.
There will be a variety of educational and informative activities for attendees to participate in and refreshments and light food will be available.
For more information about Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy, contact the Queensbury office at 793-0891 or the Moreau office at 793-6333. Its website is www.orthopedicspinept.com.