Physical Therapist Brings Creative Service Model to Lehigh Valley and Surrounding Areas
Dec 29, 2023 06:09PM ● By Sheila Julson
Dr. Kyle S. Kasman has always been intrigued by the body’s musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. After watching a family member who had suffered from dementia gradually lose her functional ability, Kyle was motivated to help others stay independent and maintain a high quality of life. He learned that a career as a physical therapist would offer opportunities to make this sort of impact while also helping others develop the best versions of themselves.
After earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Scranton, Kyle went on to become a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association. He had worked in conventional healthcare for four years after graduating, but he felt that he could best serve his patients through a cash-based model that removes insurance companies as a middleman. The benefits of this include one-on-one appointments, reduced expenses, transparent pricing, and no visit restrictions.
In 2022, Kyle formed Light The Path Physical Therapy, a primary care physical therapy practice that uses a hybrid model. He offers in-home appointments in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania area. He also offers on-site appointments at Competent Compassionate Care Health in Kutztown and at Twin Ponds Holistic Health in Breinigsville.
“This model gives patients the freedom of choice to make their own healthcare deci- sions, without the intrusion of a third-party payer,” Kyle says. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania allows patients to start physical therapy through direct access without the requirement of a physician’s script. Oftentimes, Kyle is the point of entry for patients into the healthcare system.
Kyle primarily treats orthopedic conditions that include, but is not limited to low back pain, sciatica, knee pain, and plantar fasciitis. He offers free consultations to patients upon request, which can be done in person or via phone. During the first appointment of a formal plan of care he will begin by gathering the patient’s subjective history. He will then complete an examination, which includes objective testing to evaluate a patient’s condition. Based upon his findings, he will create an individualized plan of care for a patient.
Through a root cause analysis approach, Kyle focuses treatment on the source of pain, rather than only treating the symptoms. While some people may equate physical therapy to being just about exercising, Kyle says he also incorporates a variety of manual techniques like therapeutic massage and manual mobilizations.
Physical therapy is often used for rehabilitation after a surgery or an injury. However, physical therapy can also treat pain and other impairments not associated with an injury. This includes headaches, balance issues, chronic pain, and dizziness. Kyle associates bad habits such as hunching over smartphones as well as completing daily tasks like lifting, driving, and household chores with poor posture as a contributor to chronic pain.
“I also see people at the gym neglecting functional exercises and working out for appearance only,” Kyle observes. “Completing exercises with improper form, as well as neglecting stretching and mobility activities, can also lead to future injuries.” Kyle incorporates a lot of education into each of his sessions to offer his patients a clear understanding on their conditions. This helps them create better habits to improve their daily lives.
Kyle hopes to grow Light The Path Physical Therapy’s local presence to offer a better solution to those seeking a way to take back control of their lives from pain and injury— and to do it on their terms.
“We offer a more personable and individualized treatment experience. We want to make sure that each of our patients feel heard and not like they’re just another number in the medical system. We offer true pain relief that treats the entirety of each patient’s condition.”
Light The Path Physical Therapy offers in- home appointments within the Lehigh Valley area. On-site appointments are also offered at their offices in Kutztown and Breinigsville. For more information, call 484-781-5341, email [email protected], or visit LightThePathPhysicalTherapy.com.
