A Woman Owned Business / July 2005
First Settlement Physical Therapy
 Hema Hargas |
By Pat Lawrence
When clients give Hema Hargas a hand, it’s hope, not applause. Appreciation comes later, after she has applied her considerable
concentration to their problem and her healing touch to their pains and strains. A physical therapist and certified hand therapist,
Hema trained in Bombay India and practiced in England before coming to West Virginia. After her successful private practice
in the Mid Ohio Valley was acquired by a national health care provider, she recognized an opportunity in Marietta The original First Settlement Physical Therapy clinic was opened in Marietta in 2000. Now, Hema directs the rehabilitative and educational
activities of five locations, including Marietta, Barlow, Parkersburg, Belpre and Vienna. Belpre is the largest with over thirty five employees.
Hema is joined by ten physical therapists and five physical therapy assistants with two year degrees in providing restorative and therapeutic
care to about a hundred patients each week. They provide treatments, exercises and techniques that help restore function, improve movement, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disability. Their patients include victims of accidents or injury, but also individuals with disabling conditions like low-back pain, arthritis or cerebral palsy.
Hema says, “Therapists” assess, test and measure the patients’ strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. They also determine the patients’ ability to be independent after injury or illness. Next, physical therapists develop treatment plans describing a treatment strategy, its purpose, and its anticipated outcome.”
Treatment often includes exercise for patients who have been immobilized and lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. Hema says, “We encourage patients to use their own muscles to increase their flexibility and range of motion before advancing to other exercises that improve strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. Our goal is to improve how an individual functions at work and at home.”
Hema sees patients herself from 8-5, dividing her time between the Parkersburg and Vienna clinics. Her husband Phil, manages the business side of First Settlement. She says her 21 year old son, enrolled at O.U. “is leaning toward physical therapy himself!”
She says, “I was interested in a career in health care very early. This is a very interesting field, each case is a challenge. It’s very fascinating.” Certified in hand therapy last November, Hema is one of only two hand therapists in the Parkersburg area. “The hand is such a complicated part of the body. The proper therapy is very important, from making splints to getting the individual back to full function.” She says arthritis is a common reason people require physical therapy for their hand and, “We can often help in rehabilitation after surgery for rheumatoid arthritis. Tendon injuries from trauma also benefit from physical therapy.”
Patients with arthritis, back injuries or “anyone walking with crutches” appreciate the therapeutic swimming pools at two of the clinics. “The water is nice and warm, kept at 92 degrees.”
Since the restoration, maintenance and promotion of overall fitness and health is an essential component of physical therapy, workout equipment and a variety of exercise classes are available at First Settlement. Hema says, although physical therapy treatment requires a doctor’s prescription, “The classes are open to anyone, daytime and evenings. We have yoga, Pilates Tai Chi and arthritis classes in the pool, with exercises that focus on core strength.”
Hema admits she works long hours. “Time-wise, it’s hard, juggling all the things that have to be done. But you know what you want to do and how you want to do it. The best thing about owning the business is having control of your own destiny.”
For more information, call First Settlement Physical Therapy, 304-489-2231.
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Femme Fair 2006
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