SSM Health Therapy Services is welcoming Ashley Trautschold, DPT, physical therapist, to its 360 S. Mountin Drive location in Mayville. SSM Health offers accredited physical therapy services to treat health concerns resulting from injury or illness. Physical therapy is centered on patients whose medical conditions have limited their abilities to move and function in their daily routine. Licensed physical therapists work to design a treatment plan that helps each patient recover their function and relieve their pain, as well as teach movements to prevent future issues. Physical therapy often is referred for patients dealing with lower back pain; neck pain; headaches; hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder injuries; and dizziness and balance disorders. In particular, Trautschold finds great opportunity in providing health care and support services specifically tailored to individuals with neurological conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, brain injuries, epilepsy, and spinal cord injuries, addressing their unique needs through specialized medical treatment, rehabilitation therapies, assistive technology, and psychosocial support services. She also treats individuals with dizziness or who have been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, as well as shoulder/elbow pain/dysfunctions, neck and back pain/dysfunctions, hip knee and ankle pain/dysfunctions and foot pain/dysfunctions. Trautschold has served with SSM Health Therapy Services for more than nine years seeing patients in Fond du Lac mainly on an outpatient basis, with some inpatient therapy services. “I have always had this passion for helping others and was very much into the sciences along with sports and so physical therapy just seemed like the perfect fit,” Trautschold shares. “I enjoy the outpatient setting because I feel like I get to problem solve and really work with patients to better their lives and become better advocates for their health.” Her goal in helping patients is to help them feel empowered in their care, according to Trautschold. “I am here for them and to guide them in what they need,” she says. “I encourage feedback from patients so that I am providing them the best education, exercise program and resources to fit not only their pain needs/rehab needs but their lifestyle as well. I am well aware that people have busy lives and limited time so I want to be sure that what I am prescribing them to do is worth their while and making a difference.” Trautschold finds great satisfaction seeing her patients improve. “It is so encouraging seeing patients return to activities they had to give up because of pain or weakness or disability and the fact that I played a role in that, and helped to bring joy back into their life is so incredibly motivating,” she says. “My work satisfaction comes from finding solutions or interventions for the tough patient cases and problem solving through them with my co-workers, patient feedback knowing that I helped someone and also being around the staff that I get to work with every day and having a good working relationship with them.” Outside of work, Trautschold finds great joy in caring for her two young boys. “At three and one years of age, they keep me very busy and take up a lot of my time right now but wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I am a huge Wisconsin sports fan and will take any opportunity to attend a sporting event and I always enjoy a good tailgate. In the summer, we do a lot of camping and spend a lot of time outdoors and we like to frequent the Wisconsin state parks.”
