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About Us

Optimal Therapy of NWA is locally owned and committed to providing an exceptional patient experience through the integration of quality care, technology, education, research and advocacy. We treat everyone with respect and promote a positive environment where people feel valued.​

About me

Darin Bell

Darin has over 29 years of experience with an emphasis on orthopedic and neurological injuries/disorders. He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 1990 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. He has spent his entire professional career in northwest Arkansas and has practiced OT in various physical disabilities areas, acute hospital care, SNF and out patient settings.

Credentials

Degrees Held: BS, University of Central Arkansas     

Years Practicing: 29

Darin-Bell

My Services

Occupational Therapist

I am committed to providing personalized one-on-one care that will be geared towards your individualized, specific needs. I will provide out patient therapy that covers a variety of upper extremity injuries/disorders.

Manual Therapy

Functional Capacity Evaluations

Joint mobilization techniques

Exercise: Therapeutic exercises, Home exercises programs nerve gliding exercises, soft tissue mobilization.

Splinting: Customized orthoplastic splinting

Upper extremity strengthening: Personalized strengthening program

Conditions Treated

Wrist, finger, elbow and shoulder fractures, tendon injuries, rotator cuff injuries, adhesive capsulitis, tendonitis, complex regional pain syndrome(RSD), and cumulative trauma disorders.

Arthritis

Ligament injuries

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About me

Dr. Brian Kent, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Brian Kent PT, DPT is a born and raised Arkansan with over 10 years of experience as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. He received his Bachelors of Health Science from the University of Central Arkansas in 2005. He then received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009. Brian enjoys finding evidence based treatment techniques that are effective and currently has IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) RockBlades and RockBlades Advanced Certifications. He has also received RockPod (Cupping) and RockFloss Certifications. He enjoys decreasing pain and improving function, as well as building positive relationships with his patients in a fun environment.

Credentials

Specialty: Physical Therapist

Degrees Held: Doctorate in Physical Therapy, University of Central Arkansas Bachelors, University of Central Arkansas

Years Practicing: 10

Associations

American Physical Therapy Association(2009)

Brian-Kent

My Services

Manual Therapy

Joint Mobilizations, IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) RockBlades, Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), Nerve Gliding

Exercise: Therapeutic Exercise, Strengthening Programs, Home Exercise Programs (HEPs)

McKenzie Technique: Progression of exercises to address neck and back pain with focus on extension and regaining mobility/decreasing pain.

RockPods: Certified in RockPods Cupping techniques for Soft Tissue Mobilization, Improvement of NeuroMuscular Pathways to improve performance, Scar Tissue Management, Nerve Entrapments

RockFloss: Certified with Rockfloss. Soft Tissue Mobilzation

Conditions Treated

  • Neck/Back/Hip/Knee/ Ankle/Foot Pain
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Degenerative Joint Disease
  • Orthopedic Injury
  • Acute Injury
  • Herniated Disc
  • Vertigo
  • Joint Replacement
  • Chronic Injury
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Fractures
  • Sprains and Strains
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About me

Brittney Wheeler, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Brittney Wheeler has over 13 years experience working with adults in the acute, SNF, home health and outpatient settings.  Brittney graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2006 with her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She then went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas in 2008 with her Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology. Brittney has spent her entire professional career in Northwest Arkansas. Brittney is certified with Vital Stimulation Therapy, LSVT LOUD Therapy and has completed numerous hours of training with Dementia Care Specialists. 

Credentials

Specialty: Speech Language Pathology

Degrees Held:
Bachelor Science-Speech Language Pathology: University of Central Arkansas

Master of Science-SpeechLanguage Pathology: University of Arkansas
 
Years Practicing: 13

Associations

American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) member since 2008

Brittney-Wheeler

My Services

Voice Therapy-LSVT LOUD certified 

Resistive Breather training for improve breath support with phonation 

Cognitive Communication treatment for reversible and non-reversible dementias

Stroke Recovery-Aphasia, Apraxia, Dysarthria

Aural Rehabilitation for learning to communication with a new assistive listening device

Dysphagia Treatment for swallowing disorders resulting from various disorders or incidents 

Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery 

Conditions Treated

  • Stuttering and other Fluency Disorders
  • Voice Disorders
  • Articulation and Phonological Disorders
  • Language Disorders
  • Cognitive Impairments
  • Swallowing Disorders 
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