Therapist joins rehab clinic

Dr. Connor Gillig moved from Michigan to Thompson Falls in January to be the new physical therapist at Thompson Falls Rehabilitation. This clinic falls under the umbrella of service along with the Thompson Falls Family Medicine and the Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) in Plains, Gillig said.

"The job made it possible for me to move to Montana. I have wanted to move here to be near the mountains," Gillig said. He studied Liberal Arts at Notre Dame in Indiana and received his doctorate in physical therapy at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. He has lived in other states but is happy to land in Montana.

As a physical therapist, Gillig offers all types of therapy from muscular and skeletal to vertigo. "Patients can be from 8 or 9 years old to 90 years old and everyone in between," he said. Gillig helps stroke victims with their balance and vertigo issues. "I've seen and I've treated it all," he noted.

Gillig's other specialties include dry needling and blood flow restriction. Dry needling involves using a fine needle that is placed in the muscle to relax and reduce tension and improve the healing ability of the muscle. Blood flow restriction essentially makes the muscle work harder even though resistance doesn't change, he said. A blood pressure cuff is placed on the arm or leg and a pump is used to automatically or manually restrict the muscle's blood flow. "I am waiting on the equipment for this procedure to arrive. It is scientific and a specialized treatment," Gillig said.

"We have had a lot of patient referrals from CFVH and TF Family Medicine. Patient foot traffic has picked up and we average six to seven a day. We have plenty of available time slots for new patients," Gillig said. "Don't be shy to come out and see us. We are willing to work with anybody. We'd love to see anyone who wants to get back into the things they enjoy doing in their lives," he added.

A traveling therapist currently at the rehabilitation clinic will be leaving in April. Gillig said other therapists are available through CFVH, including full-time therapists Kate Latorraca and Glen Notsch and Rehab Director Laurie Endres. Gillig sees patients from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. "Referrals are mostly required. Check with insurance companies before making an appointment," Gillig suggested.