Area Woman named therapist of year

An area woman who not only provides physical therapy but has designed some of the equipment has been named 1994 National Therapist of the Year by the AMBUCS.

Kimberly Packer-Mulka, who provides services at the Radison Plaza Hotel pool and at Kellogg Community College's pool in Battle Creek, was presented the award recently in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Her company, Disability Management Systems Ins./Aquatic Therapy Products and Service, combines aquatic therapy, massage, occupational therapy and psychological counseling in one session.

She has designed and produced three devices that are sold internationally through catalogs, direct orders and other outlets. Her Aquatic Therapy Float provides horizontal support for people in the water, her Water Walker holds people upright in the water while exercising, and her lumbar-sacral support system helps people with spine injuries exercise in the water.

Packer-Mulka has a bachelor of science degree in physical education. She also has master's degrees in adapted physical education, physical education and the physiology of exercise, and clinical mental health and counseling psychology.

She began teaching aquatic therapy 18 years ago and worked for the State Department of Rehabilitation until 1990. While helping people at a state hospital, she realized that she couldn't full heal the body without working on the mind as well, she said. "My goal is to break the cycle of pain," using both physical therapy and psychological counseling, she said.