Physical Therapy in South Dakota: Meet Adam Halseth

Physical Therapy in South Dakota: Meet Adam Halseth

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We’re giving you a peek into what makes Orthopedic Institute (OI) tick by shedding some light on our best and brightest.

Today’s featured team member is Adam Halseth, one of our physical therapists (PT). Adam graduated from the University of Minnesota and earned his doctorate from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. He additionally is certified by the Titleist Performance Institute and provides golf medicine services to OI patients.

Let’s take a deeper dive into what motivates Adam and keeps him passionate about treating patients at OI.

How did you decide to become a PT?

I decided to become a PT after my competitive athletic journey came to an end. I had a fascination with health, fitness and medicine. I quickly learned that physical therapy encompasses each of these aspects and found that it was a perfect job for me.

What led you to join the OI team?

Growing up in Sioux Falls and being around those who were injured, I always knew of the high reputation OI had. My family and I decided to move back to Sioux Falls from the Twin Cities. I always thought of OI as the standard for sports medicine in Sioux Falls, which is why I actively pursued a career here. They also gave me an opportunity to continue my passion and develop a golf program I started in the Twin Cities.

What is your favorite part of your job?

So far, the best part of my job is the support I have had in developing our golf medicine program. The facilities and support I have access to have been the best of my career thus far. Also, the interaction I  have with physicians is excellent, as I can give my patients the best possible care.  If I have any questions, I can walk down the hallway and speak with the physician about ongoing treatment and plans.

What are the strengths of OI’s PT team?

The knowledge and experience of the staff is incredible. I learn every day I am at work just from watching and interacting with colleagues.

What is the best part about working with patients?

I enjoy getting to know the patients and building relationships. I feel when doing this, I gain their trust, they know I am a professional, and it allows for a better recovery. I also, obviously, love the end result of PT. I know how hard they worked in PT and seeing them return back to their sport or other activities they love is very rewarding.

If you could tell every patient one thing before they came in, what would it be?

Our job is not to cause pain. Everyone has this idea that PT will be very painful; however, this is not the case. There are times when it is uncomfortable, but I try to always keep discomfort very limited. Also, if you truly want to get better and quickly, you have to do your exercises at home!

What is your career highlight?

My career is still in its infancy. But one thing I did while working in the Twin Cities was create and instruct a golf fitness class at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minn. Because of this, I had the opportunity to play at Hazeltine two months before the Ryder Cup, which was an incredible experience.

How do you spend your time when you’re not at OI?

I spend as much time as I can with my wife and two-and-a-half-year-old son. When not doing this, I try to golf as much as I can during the nicer months. I tell my wife that “golf is part of my job” now, which is my excuse to play a little more often!

What is your ideal way to spend your birthday?

I have a winter birthday, so I can’t do much outdoors. I like to keep it simple, ordering dinner in and watching a movie after we put our son to bed sounds like a perfect night.

Get to know more about the PT team at OI here.

Senior Health: When Injuries Are Serious Enough for an Orthopedic Visit

Senior Health: When Injuries Are Serious Enough for an Orthopedic Visit

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Injuries can be difficult to evaluate if you’re not a trained professional. Especially if symptoms don’t start to act up until well after the injury occurred. So how can you tell if your injury needs to be examined by an orthopedic specialist?

Here are some signs for seniors to watch for after an injury.

Foot or Ankle Injuries

Did you twist your ankle stepping off a curb or drop a heavy box on your foot? If you notice swelling that doesn’t go away or pain when you place weight on the injured limb, you might require a visit to our clinic or to a foot specialist on the Orthopedic Institute (OI) team, such as Dr. Watson.

You definitely need to get checked out upon difficulty walking or if you can’t manage to move more than a few feet.

OI actually offers walk-in hours for immediate check-ups, weekdays from 3-7 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. You can also make an appointment online here.

Ligament Injuries

Consistent pain isn’t the only indicator for a visit to the orthopedist. A torn ACL doesn’t always result in pain but certainly warrants a clinic trip. If your knees feel strange turning corners or they feel unstable, these are signs you need to see a health professional. Torn cartilage and ligaments can also cause problems by causing joints to stick or outright lock up.

Just like for foot or ankle injuries, OI can check out the effects of a ligament injury during walk-in hours, weekdays from 3-7 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., or by setting up an appointment online here.

Muscle Injuries

Muscle pulls, also known as strains, are common. It’s also common, when lifting weights, to experience some minor soreness that dissipates within a day or two.  However, severe tears can require surgery to piece the muscle tissue back together. A strain of this nature can sometimes be associated with a weakness sensation or inability to use the associated muscle or tendons.

Our specialists at OI can complete a series of orthopedic tests on areas of pain in order to pinpoint any possible tears. If more information is needed, an MRI can diagnose the tear’s severity.

Wear and Tear

Over time, areas such as the knees, ankles, shoulders and other parts that see a lot of use, can start to act up. Inflammation in joints can get worse, causing pain and stiffness. When arthritis sets in, it can cause many daily activities to become painful chores. Consistent joint swelling, tenderness and restricted range of movement can be signs of arthritis. Check out our blog on alternative therapies for more on possible treatments.

Time for a Visit

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms and have a concern, it’s never a bad idea to get checked out by an orthopedic specialist. Your health is important to the team here at OI. We can set you up with the right treatment plan to help you recover and once again get your body back in motion.

5 Unique Ways to Exercise Outdoors This Spring

5 Unique Ways to Exercise Outdoors This Spring

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The warm weather is upon us, so it’s time to break out of the indoor exercise routine and hit the outdoors. But now that you’re finally free to comfortably get in an outside workout, what new methods should you try out?

Whether you need new ideas to fit a busy spring schedule or want to try out a new regimen, here are a few unique ways to get your regular exercise this season.

Full-Body Boarding

We’re nowhere near an ocean – but there’s still no shortage of weekends at “the lake” throughout the spring and summer. So the next time you hit the water with family for some boating, tubing or paddleboating try out something new that works out your entire body. Though it looks leisurely, stand-up paddleboarding can be a strenuous and satisfying workout. It works out your core muscles, as well as forces you to emphasize balance in your routine. Give it a shot next time you’re headed for a calm body of water.

Baseball “Breaks”

Whether you’re a parent of a little leaguer or simply a big softball or baseball fan, you might find yourself hitting up some bleachers in the coming months. But instead of letting the likely uncomfortable seating arrangements give you sore “sits bones,” take a break between innings to get some bleacher pushups in. You could even make it a routine or competition amongst your fellow team parents of who can get the most in before the next at-bat. These incline pushups can offer a different level of resistance than flat floors do and work your shoulder and upper arm muscles in new ways.

Fitness Scavenger Hunt

Work out your brain while you’re working out your body. Give yourself a scavenger hunt to accomplish that will get you moving out in nature. Step one is writing out your route, which might be a path you’d typically take for a jog or walk. Step two is writing down various, spaced-out landmarks along the route and assigning them each a “task.” Challenge yourself to perform different fitness activities at each spot, such as situps, crunches or jumping jacks, and increase your reps on each lap through your hunt. It keeps things interesting and works out multiple muscle groups.

Parachute Sprints

If you don’t mind drawing a little bit of attention to yourself (perhaps consider bringing a buddy for solidarity), you can get a fantastic workout by making use of a fitness parachute. Much like the parachute you likely pictured in your mind, these are built to offer you a healthy amount of resistance when running sprints in a wide-open space. And, luckily, since you’re here in South Dakota, the added wind will offer up a fun challenge for parachute sprinting.

Park Playdate

For those busy parents out there who have to couple their outdoor free time with their children’s outdoor free time, one unique way to take advantage of the situation is getting in your own routine when you take your children to the park to play with their friends. There’s nothing saying you can’t get in a few pullups on the monkey bars while you keep tabs on the kids. Turn the jungle gym into a strength workout, and check two things off your list.