Crabapple Physical Therapy

Life Can Feel Great Again

By Cindi Braun

A High-Tech Practice with a Down-to-Earth Atmosphere

When you or a member of your family are injured or in pain, the last thing you want to do is travel far for relief, or spend weeks finding the right specialist to help you. Families in the surrounding downtown Crabapple community now have pain relief close to home where they will be treated by an esteemed and accomplished physical therapist with a proven record for getting results.

Kim Chastain, a doctor of physical therapy, has earned recognition and respect from physicians and patients over the past 23 years while in private practice in Cobb and Cherokee counties as well as with various leadership positions. Having earned high trust from the medical community, Georgias largest hospital healthcare system reached out to Dr. Chastain to be the executive director of their new outpatient rehabilitation division. After partnering with them in 2012 through acquisition of her company, OrthoSport Physical Therapy, Dr. Chastain developed a strategic plan and subsequently greatly expanded their outpatient rehabilitation footprint in Georgia.

Not long after accomplishing that mission, Dr. Chastain found that she missed treating patients and the autonomy of private-practice life. She took several months to search for the right hometown atmosphere before deciding to go back into private practice. I found the right fit in this friendly and emerging community of downtown Crabapple, a community that my family has patronized for twenty years. Downtown Crabapple is close to my home, and the residents are forward-thinking in their family community planning. Our doctors and our sons school are here because were very happy with the family resources that are provided, said Dr. Chastain.

Dr. Chastain said her dream is to help as many families as I can in the Crabapple area until Im old and my hands are worn out! She was so set on opening her practice in Crabapple, that she waited for months for a space to become available. When a sign was posted that one last office building was being built next to the new Milton City Hall, she called immediately. I am really looking forward to being here every day and getting to know the families of the Crabapple community, Dr. Chastain stated.

During her 31 years as an orthopedic physical therapist, Dr. Chastain has become an invaluable resource for her patients. Her curious, empathetic and resourceful nature is what sets her apart from other therapists. There are so many hands-on and high-tech tools that I can use to help patients in the majority of cases. I never get tired of learning, and I never give up on my patients, she said.

To stay current with evidence-based physical therapy, Dr. Chastain is an avid reader. Her mission is to provide treatment that will address what the patient states their goals are for therapy. Too often, patients are over- or under-treated only to reinjure a month later. So, Dr. Chastain strives to always choose the right techniques and tools, for the right amount of time, rather than try to fix what aint broken. She said, I must be a genuine and attentive listener for my patients. As a patient myself, I only return to a health practitioner when I feel that they really listened, understood what I needed and had a real solution for me. So, I live for those wonderful moments when a look of hope appears on my patients face. They know when the right questions are being asked and when Im on the right track to provide them with relief.

Pain and loss of physical ability is debilitating and often negatively affects the patients entire family. Patients desperately want relief and are often exhausted from pain and long-term medications. They miss out on work and memory-making opportunities with friends and loved ones. So, when Dr. Chastain is successful in helping a patient, it actually helps the entire family. Most of us can relate to that. Its frustrating for me when patients tell me how much unnecessary and painful treatment theyve endured over months and years. Theres a better way, which is why research shows that before surgery or injections, quality physical therapy should be a patients first stop when faced with pain, injury or loss of physical ability, Dr. Chastain said.

Among diagnoses such as neck or back pain, headaches, joint pain, sports injuries, arthritis, loss of balance with falls, or post-surgical pain or limitations, Dr. Chastains extensive skill set with modern technology is a true asset for her patients. I have equipped my practice with many hi-tech tools. We have the newest aquatic therapy technology with a multi-directional treadmill with many bells and whistles; the most powerful Lightforce Laser available for fast pain relief to any small or large body part; a computerized medical balance system for all ages, and the only research-based, computerized, low back testing and strengthening machine called the MedX, Dr. Chastain explained. The Lightforce Laser produces superior pain relief results for new onset or chronic pain of the joints and muscles. Crabapple Physical Therapy is the only physical therapy provider of LightForce Laser Therapy in the north Fulton area. Dr. Chastain is also certified in dry needling, which is another strong pain relief tool that uses very fine acupuncture needles. Crabapple Physical Therapy is designed for patients of every pain level, so that they can succeed without fear of increased pain with treatment.
Crabapple PT treats patients of all ages with orthopedic and neurological issues, work injuries, athletic injuries, new onset or chronic pain, pre- and post-surgical issues, and older adults with balance issues or a history of falling. Dr. Chastain also treats neuro-pediatric patients with coordination, balance and physical challenges commonly seen with children on the autism spectrum.

People ask me where my passion for PT comes from, and I answer with a patient story, Dr. Chastain said, as she described treating a gospel singer who had lost her ability to sing due to a severe neck injury. After being discharged, the patient stopped by to give Dr. Chastain her new CD that she was able to record without pain. Moments like that are why Im back in private practice. When I can make a difference, its food for my soul, and thats something that I want to experience every day.

Kim Chastain BS, PT, DPT, Cert. DN, is the Founder and CEO of Crabapple Physical Therapy. Kim is a 1986 graduate from Hunter College in NY and earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010. She is also Certified in dry needling and has been board-certified in orthopedics with the American Physical Therapy Association for twenty years.

Crabapple Physical Therapy is currently accepting and scheduling new patients and is officially open the 2nd week of September.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit CrabapplePT.com, or call 770-686-3700.
You can also email questions or inquiries to Kim: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

12220 Birmingham Highway, downtown Crabapple, adjacent to Milton City Hall