What People are Saying about KCP

I am a cancer patient battling advanced Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.  Before any of my therapeutics had started, I thought completing a half Ironman competition less than 9 weeks after a series of chemotherapy treatments was a good idea.  Chemo would start Dec 2 and would finish on Mar 17 with race day for Ironman Chattanooga 70.3 on May 18.  I would train as much as possible during that stretch and then bear down up to race week.  All during the chemo treatments I was repeatedly asked the question, “Are you feeling any joint or muscle pain?”  Apparently, this is one of the many side effects of chemotherapy.  Fortunately for me, most of the typical side effects were limited.   Four weeks after the last treatment, I am thinking that this thing is possible.  Then suddenly, my shoulder, hip, knee and ankle became extremely sore, especially the right shoulder and hip, making it difficult to even sleep.  This side effect made its presence felt after the chemo was over and made even attempting this challenge unlikely.

I had used Joyce Kight and KCP with some issues before and knew her as a teammate at MSA, a masters swim program.  She quickly diagnosed the issue which turned out to be both joint and muscular.  Between her, Ashley and in concert with my GP, they came up with a regimen that within two weeks had pretty much eliminated the joint pain and addressed most of the muscle issues.  One last treatment race week and I was good to go.  I had done 3 half and 1 full ironman races the previous 2 years and was competitive to the point of making the podium in one.  My goal on May 18 was simply to finish this event before they closed the course and was not sure what the body could do.  My result exceeded even my wildest expectations.  Some of the fitness had returned.  While these events are never painless, I had none of the joint and muscle pain seen in the previous weeks.  Mission accomplished in large part thanks to KCP.  I am now signed up for Ironman Washington 70.3 September 21 with the goal to do more than finish.

I am writing to share my updated MRI report with you. I am in absolute disbelief and at a complete loss of words. Thanks to YOU and your office staff and Dr. Welshofer, I am a new person. You gave me my life back and I’ll forever be grateful. God bless you in every possible way. I cannot express adequately in words how grateful I am to you. I hope that we cross paths some time in life again, so I can just give you the biggest grateful hug!

I basically spent a whole Saturday on the couch, and then on Sunday my back hurt so much that I could not get up. On Monday, it was so bad at work. Just trying to get from my office to the bathroom 40 feet away was awful – I had to lean on the water cooler along the way. So, I knew I needed to go back to KCP.

Basically, we started realizing that my core was weak and my balance was horrible. We started some exercises and dry needling and stretching, and then I moved into strengthening and core balance.

Now I do the fitness training with them. I’ve been working out with them now for almost a year. It’s fun.

I don’t know if I could force myself to really do a non-stop hour of working out on my own. They keep me motivated. I really, really like working out with them, and I just want to keep that up.

I have 100% range of motion in my shoulder that was repaired. I cannot tell you how many people I have met who can barely raise their arm to their ear. So, I give KCP all the credit for that. I regained full use of my arm, and now I tell everybody to go to them and to start as early as possible after surgery. It’s really painful, but they tell you ahead of time what to expect. And they tell you what outcome you can achieve if you see it through. And I trusted them. Without that trust, you could wimp out and question the process. They would help you with pain control and listen to how you were feeling. They always knew the balance of how much to push and when to back down. They are so kind and compassionate and encouraging!

I will never go anywhere else. I can walk better today. I have great range of motion in my arms. I have so many things that they have fixed, and I also know that when I call them, I can get right in and not have to wait six months or six weeks. I have seen all three of their therapists, and I think that these three women are some of the smartest women I’ve ever met.

I tell all my friends about KCP, and I have referred several people there, including my husband. And I tell them all that they have freedom of choice. You can pick your physical therapist. You do not have to go to the practice that is affiliated with your surgeon. Just because they are big and their physicians are good doesn’t mean their PT’s are good. If you want to be part of a cattle herd, go ahead. But I don’t want that. And after my friends have gone to KCP, they come back and thank me and tell me they wish they had done it long ago!

At the first session, we had to see what kind of range of motion I had after all the weeks after my shoulder surgery. We got it to move about six inches. It was so painful, but the goal was to get me back to full mobility. I had to go three times a week – mostly with Joy but sometimes with Joyce.

Each session, the goal was to get that motion just a little bit further. I have to say it was one of the more painful experiences I’ve had, but they know what they have to do and they are there to support you on the journey.  It took about three months, but we finally got there.

At this point, I know where to go on an as-needed basis. Later in life, things get harder and harder, and knowing someone that knows how to deal with these things is very important.

They just really know what they’re doing. They’ve got all the equipment necessary to treat just about anything. And they have the space to do it. And they’re not only helping with the range of motion issues, they’re also helping to strengthen the muscle groups so that you won’t have issues anymore. Even now, I’ve got several exercises that I do at home to keep strengthening my shoulder. They help you function without pain.

At  first I was concerned was that I am so much older than Ashley. But I found out that she is so mature and so good at what she does. She makes it so easy to talk and ask questions. She told me ‘You can’t say anything I haven’t heard before!’ I was so surprised – it wasn’t awkward at all!

During our sessions, she always made it very clear that if I was uncomfortable, I should give her a signal and we would stop. Pelvic floor physical therapy can be uncomfortable and we think we shouldn’t say anything. Ashley makes sure to get input all along the way and make sure that I am always comfortable. I really appreciate the way she does her job.

She has made a world of difference in my life. I’m almost where I need to be, and it’s all because of her.

Ashley was the physical therapist assigned to me and was an absolute gem to work with! She has a wealth of knowledge that she shared in a way that was easy to understand. Every time I met with her, I felt that she genuinely cared about my well-being.

During our sessions, Ashley taught me how to use a pelvic wand to release muscle tension. She also taught me how to perform abdominal massages on myself to break up scar tissue from previous surgeries.

While I will always experience pain due to my endometriosis, I now have the tools to specifically address the pain resulting from muscle tension and scar tissues related to my endometriosis. These tools have allowed me to have sex again without severe pain.

From the beginning, they really listened to me. We started slow and just went from there. Initially they thought we could shoot for 10 minutes of activity, but we had to stop after two. And they said that was okay. We went from there. We made it to four minutes and kept building. They told me I could do what I wanted, but I just might have to do things differently than I was used to. It was all about alternatives. Let’s try things a different way. They listened, and they helped me figure it out. The confidence that they gave me after five years of hearing what I couldn’t do was incredible.

Now, I’m doing anything I want to. I see them once a week, and they have become my family and friends — I’m never going to leave! I love every single person there. And the other patients are just fabulous, too! These are just MY people.

The way Joy (Pfuhl) asked questions about my goals made me feel like she cared about what my feelings were versus just being a body at therapy. I felt like this was going to be a very positive experience, and it would get me to my goal.

I wouldn’t be where I am today or have the attitude I have without them.

I can’t say how much I value KCP. Anytime I have an ache or pain, they have a suggestion. I think that I’m often able to head off more serious injuries. If I come for a couple of sessions and Joyce thinks I need to see the doctor, she gives me questions to ask. It gives me more confidence when I’m talking to the doctor and helps me make the visit more fruitful.

The value is in the consistency and showing up, even when you don’t feel like showing up. There are days I’d like to roll over and go back to sleep, but I’m always glad when I finish. I feel like I’ve rewarded myself and that it’s been time well spent.”

I have been going to the fitness classes both in person and over Zoom. Everybody there is a little bit like me – dealing with current injuries or injuries from the past. I like to go in person when I can since I’m retired; it’s good to be with other people my age.

I’ve been to gyms where the women show up in their Barbie doll costumes, and I feel like a beached whale. I’m not obese, but I’m not slim. I feel like I belong at KCP. I feel comfortable. They know me. They treat me like I’m a person. They make everybody feel special. You won’t find that in every gym.

I’m so grateful. I work out four times a week now; it helps keep me out of pain. And I need the discipline!

I know it’s a haul from my house to their office. I have other options, but I don’t want to go anywhere else. I’ve been to quite a few other physical therapists, but KCP is not like any of them. They’re not cookie cutter in their approach; they personalize the experience. I don’t know how to explain how much I like Joyce and Karina. They’re going to get me back to where I want to be.

They really connected on a human level, which kept me going back. The staff is very welcoming – they all recognized me and used my first name, and they were always so accommodating.

I’m so thankful that I can exercise again. I was really into exercising before my pregnancy, and now I can do everything that I did before. I can pick up the baby without any pain, play on the floor, and do tummy time again. I know I can come back if I need to, but for now I am in a good place!

I had several issues that had required PT. My arch had fallen and I needed some PT to improve my strength and balance. Then I rolled my ankle and needed more PT. This time I decided that instead of graduating from PT I wanted to work on staying fit to prevent future injuries.

It was really bad. I was barely able to hold my baby or stand up – let alone hold a full time job.

I kept getting injured while I was working out and I finally realized that I need to be supervised! i joined the group exercise classes at KCP and the results are amazing. I never imagined that I could work out with a group.

I will keep coming to KCP. The individual care and attention that I’ve gotten, with interest in my specific case, has been so great. I could tell from the first appointment it was going to work out. They asked so many questions about how my body was functioning on a daily basis, and they were really interested in me holistically. They were completely customized in their approach,. They will catch me in the middle of a workout  doing something not quite right and will stop me so that I can keep from hurting myself again. That’s exactly what I need right now!

I think of the PT’s at KCP as angels on earth. They don’t try to keep you longer than they feel they can help you. When they see the point where you’ve gotten through, they tell you how to keep it up and send you on. I like that.

Everyone there is just awesome. I’ve been to other PT places in the past, and they’re like factories. You feel like you’re a number and they’re just pushing you through their system. But the staff at KCP genuinely care about you and want you to get well. You’re not just a number to them.

They’re like a family to me. There’s so much love and care. I get hugs from Joyce and Joy and Karina and Pam. I can’t find the words to say what they mean to me.

I’ve never been to someone like Joy before. She took my whole history into account, and instead of just focusing on my shoulder, she helped with everything – my leg, my shoulder, my core, and my balance. The results were amazing. Treating the whole body and addressing all my issues – it was amazing.

Whenever something needs attention, she (Joy) is available. She just works her magic. It’s been amazing and I’m grateful.

I was referred to KCP by the surgeon that I saw about my fecal incontinence. I was a little embarrassed to tell my story again, but I figured there was a reason my doctor sent me there. So, I just told Joy how it was. Her bedside manner is fantastic. She makes you feel so comfortable. And she just listens without being judgmental.

I’m just so thankful that they understood how I felt and that they weren’t critical of me or my condition. The surgeon that I saw basically just said, ‘If you want surgery, come back, but otherwise I can’t do anything else for you.’  At KCP, I always felt like they had time to listen. Joy spent so much time listening, helping, and asking questions. That was just so important to me. Everyone treated me with such kindness and compassion.

I have a body that is vulnerable to injuries and issues. Over the last several years, I have had surgeries for a bone spur, a torn meniscus, double hip replacements and knee replacements. Joyce and Joy have gotten me through my surgeries and also gotten me involved in the fitness classes at KCP. Everything just keeps getting better and better.  I am in better shape now than I was when I was younger, and I’m stronger than ever. This has dramatically changed my life.

Read more about Bonnie’s recovery

Joy was literally a godsend.

I had a full recovery from rotator cuff surgery. I know that not everybody does.

KCP has changed my life. It’s remarkable. I highly recommend what they do and how they do it. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this whole thing without them.

The staff is fantastic. They hire good people. The whole KCP operation is very friendly and familial. It’s just a tremendous place. It’s local, and it feels like it’s part of the local fabric of our community. They’re not an industrial office – it’s personal. My wife and I just adore them.

Read more about Thomas’ recovery from rotator cuff surgery

I’m stronger at 62 than I was at 50. It blows my mind. For someone like me that was insecure about their body to begin with –never had a history of being in shape, playing sports, or doing any physical activity – and then to have three significant back surgeries, to give up, and to be depressed…to be able to heal and get stronger…that’s why I love KCP.

Read Melissa’s story of rehab and recovery

I got bounced around by different providers for years after I started having back and hip pain. A doctor told me that I had SI joint dysfunction and that I was always going to be in pain. I tried different physical therapists who showed me some lifting and bending techniques, but no one really addressed my pain. No one seemed to even know what SI joint dysfunction was or how to treat it. I finally found KCP when I googled SI joint dysfunction and physical therapy. I went to see Joy and she told me that I had pelvic instability. She showed me exercises to help mitigate my pain and also helped me learn how to exercise and strengthen correctly to manage my instability.

I used to be in severe pain at least once a week and had underlying pain the rest of the time. Now, I might have a flare-up once a month, but it’s not severe. And I know the exercises I can do for immediate relief. It’s not discouraging anymore because I understand what’s happening and how to manage it.

I had a super-positive experience at KCP. It’s just a really nice community. And it’s not just the therapists and support staff – it’s even the other patients. All of us are there for some kind of physical issue, and it’s a really encouraging environment.

I would recommend them to anyone. I want to tell everyone about KCP! I wish that everybody had a resource like them.

Joy listens on a level that I’ve never had any healthcare professional listen. She listens so deeply. She’s really hearing what you’re saying, and she’ll repeat back to make sure she’s got it right.

I started going to KCP when I was dealing with plantar fasciitis, and after that they just became my go-to for everything. I started having some hip and thigh pain, and after a few sessions of PT, Joy suggested that I get an x-ray. Sure enough, there was a tear there that put me on the path to a double hip replacement.

Joy was part of the entire process. From identifying the problem that led to surgery, to having the surgery, to helping me work out at a pace that got me through recovery. She was with me every step of the way.

After we finished with the PT for the hips, I joined the fitness training classes. I look at it as my lifelong maintenance program.

You know when you walk in the door at KCP that you are in a well-run office. It’s clean, there is a place for everything, and it’s just a smooth operation. Even when the rooms are hopping because they’re booked up and trying to accommodate someone having an issue – which they will always do. Even during super busy times, they are organized and efficient. You know that you are in good hands.

Read about Kathy’s Bilateral Hip Surgery Recovery

I started out with a lot of limitations.  I couldn’t feel anything below my hips. I was unable to walk properly. My back was pretty weak, and my core was really weak.

I was a little scared. Especially being seventeen. I didn’t really know what was going to happen from there. But after my first consultation with Joyce, she seemed like she knew what she was talking about and had a very good idea about what I was going through. It was reassuring. I knew that I was in the right hands and that my goals could be accomplished.

Fast forward to today, I’m actually playing football at Davidson College, Division I. I have no limitations and I get to do everything that any athlete can do. It’s really nice and I’m very grateful.

I’m not sure – if I had gone to other places – that I would be here today. I want them to know how thankful I am. Beyond football, just the fact that I can walk and still function normally – that’s something I’m very grateful for. I would never take that for granted again, and I’ll always have that whole staff in mind when I’m accomplishing all the stuff that I’d like to do.

Read more about Josh and his recovery

I went to KCP after my endometriosis surgery. I was feeling better than I had before the surgery but still dealing with too much pain.  I felt relief after my first visit with them.  It’s such a good feeling not to live in pain any more.

I had been in a hospital PT setting before I came to KCP. But I kind of have anxiety about being in hospital environments because of all my experiences in them. A hospital is just not as welcoming.  Can you say a PT office is homey? It’s just very warm, and the staff is so lovely. I’ve only been going there for a month, and they all know me and know my name. It’s just such a great office… they really want to help you, and they are going to work hard to do that.

Read more about Sonia’s story

I was having trouble with my calves when I first went to KCP. Joyce found that my calf pain was being caused by my pelvis being misaligned. I had no idea that was the source of the problem. After Joyce worked on it, I felt the difference immediately and got better so quickly.

Now, I continue to go to KCP for Sports Performance Therapy. I beat my body up, but Joyce takes care of me. If you want to be an athlete, you have to have people around you that can support you. Joyce has become part of my team. This is part of my regime now.

It’s always a relief after I come here. I can do the things I love to do – that I enjoy – because of the support that I’ve received.

I would recommend that other athletes come to KCP too. You’re going to find people who are friendly and kind and consultative. They want to get to the bottom of your issues.

KCP is my physical therapy family! I’ve had many issues over the years, and they have always helped me to overcome them. I had both my knees replaced and came here for PT, and my knees came back better and faster than anyone I know. I’m able to use them completely. I’ve also had shoulder and hip issues, and I come here whenever I have a problem.

They always took care of me while I was here and gave me things I could do when I left. I didn’t just get a tear-off list of exercises. They were tailored to what I had at home and what I could do.

I also appreciate that they look at you as a whole person. I came in with shoulder issues, and we ended up also discovering that my hips were out of place. As an exercise physiologist, I know about all of this stuff. I think that as people get older, we start to accept that things hurt, and we let them hurt for too long. I think that’s not acceptable, and I come back when things start to hurt. I trust their evaluations.

Read Jane’s story here

A friend referred me to KCP after my shoulder injury. I wasn’t able to cycle, kayak, or even sleep – I was in constant pain. Joyce helped me to communicate with my surgeon when the treatment that we were trying plateaued. I ended up having surgery, and they found a bone spur and a tear that hadn’t shown up on the MRI. I went back to KCP for my rehab after that, and my range of motion is back now. I still have restrictions, but my pain is decreasing and I am progressing.

Read more about Carol’s Story

Well it takes a village! So late August of 2016 I cut my tendon and nerve in my thumb and had it surgically repaired by an awesome hand surgeon named Dr. Lois Osier. Through just some dumb bad luck I developed CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) in my left hand.

I had been working with Joyce Kight (MSA swimmer) on a couple other things related to a spill and goofy stuff that happens when you get older. She mentioned taking a dry needling course and I wondered if this could potentially help my problem. Drugs are not for me. She got certified and game on.

This was trigger point type therapy and I read a lot leading up to the appointment because I am a curious person. The needling can be quite unpleasant but I bought into the goals and understood the purpose. Amazing results……far exceeding expectations for one treatment. As I was driving home 20 minutes after my appointment the pain (burning, prickly, tight) left my hand like I exhaled it out of my body. The skin on my left hand felt normal for the first time in a year and a half. I almost pulled over to cry……my whole energy level and sense of well-being has changed since I had three trigger points that spoke to the hand worked on. Forever grateful to my village and new team member Joyce Kight and KCP Physical Therapy!

Thanks to Joyce Kight and her wonderful team at KCP Physical Therapy for keeping me in one piece. The biggest thanks goes to the Lord. Training during this COVID season, I felt quite lethargic. And lonely, honestly. (I’m betting I’m not the only one?) I had to ask the Lord to accompany me on my runs regularly. I just had less in the tank. And He was always faithful. If He’ll show up for my silly runs, I’m sure He will for your silly (and serious) stuff too.

Much love, my friends.

I want to give a big shout out to KCP physical therapy. A year ago I had a rotator cuff and biceps tendon repair and everyone there helped me thru the recovery. Joyce with her stretches, education and keeping me on task. Joy with her magic hands when I needed deep tissue work. And the wonderful team who hooked me up to the electric stim and heavenly ice packs.

There is no other PT group who gives so much of themselves, never makes you feel like a number, and always makes you feel better. Eventually I transitioned to their wonderful personal training making my arms and the rest of my body stronger. KCP even offers their training classes virtually for this pandemic! Now here I am today, back with my swim team. Training/swimming with paddles and no fins. Best of all, NO shoulder PAIN.

KCP deserves more than 5 stars. They are simply, outstanding!

Thanks to Joyce Kight and her wonderful team at KCP Physical Therapy for keeping me in one piece. The biggest thanks goes to the Lord. Training during this COVID season, I felt quite lethargic. And lonely, honestly. (I’m betting I’m not the only one?) I had to ask the Lord to accompany me on my runs regularly. I just had less in the tank. And He was always faithful. If He’ll show up for my silly runs, I’m sure He will for your silly (and serious) stuff too.

Much love, my friends.

Over time I have incorporated one hour training at least once a week and during some periods twice a week. When KCP added Yoga classes I was all in. I now go to yoga two times a week and one day for personal training. KCP provides a holistic approach to my well being. They know my physical constraints so they are able to build my workouts and yoga around them. I am 68 years old and have never felt better.