First Advantage Physical Therapy Serving Northwest Indiana - Locations Valparaiso and Crown Point for Orthopedic Spine, Workers Compensation, General Orthopedic, and family medicine

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WELCOME TO 1ST ADVANTAGE PHYSICAL THERAPY

1st Advantage Physical Therapy is a therapist owned and operated clinic serving Northwest Indiana. With over 14 years experience, we pride ourselves in providing our patients with high-quality, individualized care from our qualified staff.

We are dedicated to our patients’ desire to return to their normal daily functions and to help them accomplish any physical goals they may have.

Physical Therapy

Industrial Rehabilitation

Workers' Compensation

Athletic Enhancement

Performing Arts Rehabilitation

Women's Programs

MISSION

Our goal at 1st Advantage is to provide therapy that is affective and leads to a safe and rapid recovery.

We appreciate the support from health care providers and the community. This support has led to strong partnerships which continues to foster and more importantly continue to benefit the patients.

1st Advantage Physical Therapy and 1st Advantage Athletic Enhancement

Our Athletic Enhancement program provides something for all athletic levels. We can work with people trying to battle weight loss, as well as condition those 'weekend warriors'. We specialize in training athletes of many different levels; working with high school through and up to elite level athletes.

Contact Us for More Information

Crown Point ( 219) 226-1500

Valparaiso (219) 464-1800

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About

Kevin Elo:

President and founder of 1st Advantage Physical Therapy with over 15 years experience in the industry.

Master of Physical Therapy - University of Evansville

Licensed Physical Therapist since 1996

Athletic Trainer Certified since 2000

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist since 1998

Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist since 2005

Owner and President of 1st Advantage Physical Therapy

Owner and President of 1st Advantage Athletic Enhancement

Internships:

Methodist Sports Medicine Center, Indianapolis, IN (Orthopedic and Sports Related Injuries of High-level Athletes.) 1996

Orthopaedic Associates, Evansville, IN (Orthopedic and Sports Related Injuries) 1996

Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee, IL (Impatient treatment of Guillian-Barre Syndrome and General Medical and Orthopedic Cases) 1996

Christian Northeast Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri (Neurological inpatient rotation;primary diagnosis of cerebrvascular accidents and myocardial infartions) 1995

Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, IL (Outpatient Treatment of Generalized Orthopedic Cases) 1994

Kevin's lovely wife Allison is also an Athletic Trainer Certified and is the President of Indiana Workers' Compensation Institute - Northwest Indiana Chapter .

Services

Physical Therapy
Aquatic Therapy
Athletic Enhancement
Performing Arts
Womens' Health

Physical Therapy Physical Therapy 1st Advantage offers a wide variety of Physical Therapy specialties provided by highly-skilled clinicians. We strive to offer the best therapy in Northwest Indiana. 1st Advantage provides outpatient physical therapy for orthopedic, neurological, and select cardivascular needs. Moreover 1st Advantage also offers Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. Some of our specialities are:• Orthopedic• Sports• Strain/Sprains• Fractures• Joint Pain
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Aquatic Therapy Aquatic Therapy (Crown Point location)Our aquatic therapy program is custom designed for patients based on their individual needs. We continually adjust these programs as needed, based on the progress of the patients.Benefits of using Aquatic Therapy• High Intensity and Low Impact• Reduces stress on the body and joints• Soothes and relaxes the muscles• Decreases muscle spasms, relaxes tense muscles, relieves pain• Provides an anti-stress environment for movement• Uses water resistance to build muscle and flexibility• Provides buoyancy for the patient• Excellent program for patients who find land-bearing exercises difficult or painful.For more information about our aquatic therapy programs, contact us at our Crown Point clinic at 219-226-1500.
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Athletic Enhancement Athletic EnhancementOur Athletic Enhancement programs provide something for everyone! We can work with people trying to battle weight loss, as well as condition those "weekend warriors". We also specialize in training athletes of many different levels, working with high school athletes all the way up to professional and elite level athletes. Our programs are created unique to each individual, depending on the desired outcome. Our trainers are Certified Athletic Trainers and are Strength and Conditioning Specialists, so rest assured the program developed for you is a safe and results-oriented program. We encourage losing weight and enhancement in a safe and natural way. A naturally healthy body can come only from healthy foods and modest activity – not a bottle. Forget the supplements and magic pills! Whether your goal is weight loss or sport specific training, we have the program for you! 1st Advantage provides the following:• Certified Athletic Trainer/Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist• Sports Specific Training – both individual or group• Sports Movement Analysis• Speed, Agility and Jump Development• Post-Rehabilitation Training• Competitive Weight Loss Program
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Performing Arts Performing Arts Rehabilitation Our Performing Arts program is proving to be a winner for all those involved! We are educating coaches as well as the athletes and musicians to prevent injuries and to strengthen certain muscle groups to provide a higher level of performance. We offer free injury screenings to those performing artists who may have gotten hurt in a practice or rehearsal. We can then recommend the appropriate action to take, so that there is minimal loss of any performances. We look forward to serving the needs of the areas performing artists. Our head therapist is the Physical Therapy Consultant for Drum Corp International (DCI) and makes all the recommendations for the entire international organization. He also is a preferred provider for the USAG and has worked with Olympic gymnasts, covering various USA Gymnastics Events. He also specializes in dance, having studied common injuries of dancers in New York at the New York University School of Dance. He is a member of the International Association of Dance Medicine Science (IADMS).
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Womens' Health Women’s Health The Breast Rehab Awareness (BRA) Program, a Pre and Post-Surgery program developed by 1st Advantage. Anticipating breast cancer surgery brings many emotional and physical concerns. After surgery, most women are surprised by how much of their shoulder strength and mobility is lost. Our goal through the BRA Program is to accelerate healing and improve the use of the arm, returning the patient to life without limitations. The BRA Program provides:• Individualized and comprehensive program developed for each unique patient• Pre-Surgical: collection of baseline information and teach post-surgical treatment• Improve flexibility and muscle tone before surgery, leading to shortened recovery times• Post-Operative: work on range of motion, strength and girth of the upper extremity• Stretching and massage of the shoulder girth• Guidelines for a home exercise program, providing both positive mental and emotional components• Lymph Edema management, including compression bandaging and a comprehensive home management program with follow-up evaluations. Physical therapy plays a very large role in recovery. That’s why the BRA program should begin as quickly as possible after diagnosis, to prepare the patient for surgery and towards a complete recovery. For more information about our BRA program, please contact us at either one of our clinics.
Yoga Woman

Work Comp

Rehab
Services
Workers' Compensation

Rehab Industrial Rehabilitation Our Industrial Rehabilitation program is a structured and goal-oriented program designed to help identify work capacities and help employees regain their functional skills and return to work after an injury safely. We offer pre and post surgical treatments as well as job analyses. We also work one on one with employers to help develop strategies to reduce the number of injuries that occur at the workplace. 1st Advantage is committed to the patient’s rapid return to work with less pain, increased strength and conditioning, and the enjoyment of life.
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Services 1st Advantage can provide the following: Pre employment screeningErgonomic analysisFunctional Capacity Exams (FCEs)Work ConditioningSafe and rapid return to workSpecificity of trainingInjury preventionPre-employment Screenings
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Workers' Compensation 1st Advantage Physical Therapy's workers' compensation program provides expeditious and expert care for all individuals injured on the job. 1st Advantage understands that work related injuries affect everyone involved; from the worker and their family to the employer. Everyone involved has one mutual goal to return to the workplace quickly and safely.