Apex opens clinic in Fairways Plaza

Residents in the residential-boom town of the West Plains' Fairways area have always faced a decision when it comes to seeking physical therapy. That decision is where to go. Do you travel the 8-10 miles to Cheney, or the roughly equal distance to Airway Heights or the longer trek into Spokane?

As of July 1, that decision became, "I hope I am able to get an appointment."

Apex Therapy has opened a fourth clinic at 10511 W. Aero Road in the Fairways Plaza, the small business mall located across from the Petro Truck Stop at Interstate 90's Medical Lake interchange. Up until recently the only tenant of the plaza had been the McDonald's restaurant.

The Fairways Apex is staffed by physical therapist and clinic manager Tracy Kuhn along with physical therapist assistant Tyler Smith. Kuhn, who received a bachelor of science in exercise science in 2008 and doctorate of physical therapy from Eastern Washington University in 2011, has spent the last four years at Apex's Cheney office.

"They trusted me enough to send me out here," she says with a laugh.

Smith received his associates of arts in physical science from Spokane Falls Community College and a bachelor's in exercise science from EWU in 2012. He previously worked at Apex's North Spokane office for two and half years, and is in the final phases of receiving his physical therapist license.

Kuhn said Apex had been looking at locations for a new clinic for some time. The company's research indicated that portion of the West Plains has a fast growing residential population, as evidenced by the housing subdivision going in and the recent additions of Westwood Middle School and Snowdon Elementary School, to complement the existing Windsor Elementary School a few miles northeast on Hallet Road.

"We thought it was a great opportunity to put ourselves right in the middle of it," Kuhn said. "People want to stick close (to home)."

Apex Fairways will provide general orthopedic services for work related issues along with pre- and post-operative therapies. Kuhn also specializes in women's health issues and vestibular disorders such as balance issues, vertigo and dizziness.

Once licensed, Smith said he hopes to focus on sports therapies, noting he has worked a lot with athletes in the past, and is looking at working in manual training, soft tissue disorders and muscle techniques.

"I have a steep learning curve," he said. "But, that kind of learning will come with a little time."

Kuhn said they have been busy at the new location. As of July 9, she said she had completed 40 appointments, some of which were patients that formerly went to Cheney along with some from Medical Lake and four new patients. Kuhn said that averages out to 7 – 10 patients per day, with a full day's load being 13.

Kuhn said in the future they hope to add some of the components of the gait/running analysis program known as "Dartfish," the full program of which is offered at Cheney's Apex.

Fairways Apex Physical Therapy is open Monday and Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Call (509) 413-2140 to schedule an appointment or for more information.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.