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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.​

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
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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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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: 15

Associations

American Physical Therapy Association (2009)

Brian-Kent
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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

Dr. Jessica Mathis, PT, DPT, GCS

Physical Therapist

Jessica Mathis, PT, DPT, received her Bachelor of Health Science degree in 2008 and her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2011, both from the University of Central Arkansas. She worked at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, NY, after graduating until relocating back to Northwest Arkansas in 2018. Jessica enjoys working with patients to improve their everyday movement and abilities to improve their quality of life. When not working, she enjoys walking her dogs, knitting, reading, and spending time with her husband and family. 

Credentials

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

Bachelors of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Honors College, University of Central Arkansas

Specialties and Certifications: Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, Balance & Fall Prevention Credentialed Professional, PWR!Moves and LSVT Big (Parkinson’s)

Years Practicing: 10-15

Associations

American Physical Therapy Association (2008)

–Geriatric, Orthopedic, and Private Practice chapters

–Arkansas APTA Geriatric chapter State Advocate

Dr. Jessica Mathis
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Samantha Eaton, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Samantha Eaton, PTA, received her  Associate of Applied Science – Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2009 from Northwest Arkansas Community College. Samantha is skilled in manual interventions and myofascial release techniques to help her patients return to pain-free mobility. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, crocheting, and traveling.

Credentials

Degrees Held:  Associate of Applied Science – Physical Therapist Assistant, NWACC

Specialties and Certifications:  LSVT Big and PWR! Moves certified for Parkinson’s Disease

Functional Movement Specialist

Certified in IASTM, Cupping, and Kinesiotaping

Functional Standards for Optimal Aging Expert

Associations

American Physical Therapy Association

-Arkansas chapter

-Geriatric section

Samantha Eaton
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