Richard DonTigny papers, 1960-2010

Overview of the Collection

Creator
DonTigny, Richard, 1931-2023
Title
Richard DonTigny papers
Dates
1960-2010 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.4 linear feet, (1 box)
Collection Number
2729
Summary
Richard DonTigny (1931-2023) was a physical therapist from Montana, who practiced for much of his career in Havre. This collection contains correspondence and intruction materails related to DonTigny's physical therapy career, in particular his research on lower back pain and the sacroiliac (SI) joint.
Repository
Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Richard DonTigny (1931-2023) was a physical therapist from Montana who practiced for much of his career in Havre. He was born in Havre, Montana on August 9, 1931 to Emil and Helen (Halverson) DonTigny. He graduated from Havre High School in 1949, attended Northern Montana College from 1949-1952 and received a BS in Applied Science from Montana State University in 1954. He received a certificate in physical therapy from the University of Iowa in 1958.

DonTigny served in the army in the 15th Medical Detachment to the 8th Engineer Battalion (C) in the 1st Calvary Division from 1954-1956. After completing his physical therapy certificate at the University of Iowa, he worked as a phyiscal therapist in Havre hospitals for nearly twenty years and was in private practice in Havre for ten years.

Much of DonTigny's research focused on disfunction of the sacaroiliac (SI) joint. He first published an article on the topic in titled "Evaluation, manipulation and management of the anterior dysfunction of the sacaroiliac joint" in The DO in 1973 and wrote many subsequent articles on the topic. Through this research, DonTigny developed dynamic core stabilization exercises to address issues with pain in the hip and lower back.

DonTigny married Josephine Faltrino in Havre on June 15, 1957. The couple had four children: Debbie, Julie, Laura, and Richard Jr. Richard DonTigny died in Bozeman on March 15, 2023 at the age of 91.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains correspondence and instructional tools related to Richard DonTigny's physical therapy career, in particular his research on lower back pain and the sacroiliac (SI) joint. Instructional materials include illustrations, slides and handout for two courses, "The DonTigny Dynamic Core Stabilization Program for Low Back and Pelvic Pain" workshop offered in 2009 and "Quick, Effective, SI Joint/Low Back Pain Assessment: The DonTigny Manual Manipulation Approach" offered through Great Seminars Online in 2013. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, which includes letters from other physical therapist requesting copies of his articles and discussing his research. The correspondence also includes letters from patients who benefitted from DonTigny's research and practice. Other items in the collection include therapy licenses for the state of Montana and a dossier documenting his career achievements and highlights. Among these materials is a 1964 letter from Dr. Janet Travell, who served as the physician to President John F. Kennedy.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Creator Name], [Date of Creation], [Brief Description of Object], Folder [#], Box [#], [Collection Name], [Collection #], Montana State University (MSU) Library, Bozeman, MT

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated by Debra Gregory as representative of the Richard DonTigny estate, 2023 April.

Processing Note

This collection was processed 2024 August 14.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1-2 Quick, Effective SI Joint/Lower Back Pain Assessment: The DonTigny Manual Manipulation Approach, Great Seminars Online 2013
1 3 "National Award," DonTigny Career Dossier
The folder was originally titled "National Award." Folder contents contain a dossier of DonTigny's career inlcuding his CV, biography, bibliography, and a 1964 letter from presidential physician Dr. Janet Travell.
circa 2020
1 4 The DonTigny Dynamic Core Stabilization Program for Low Back and Pelvic Pain, Workshop Slides and Handouts 2006
1 5-12 Correspondence 1962-2022
1 13 Physical Therapy Licenses, State of Montana 1987, 1998

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Medicine--Montana--History
  • Physical therapy--Montana

Personal Names

  • DonTigny, Richard, 1931-2023--Archives

Form or Genre Terms

  • Instructional materials

Occupations

  • Physical therapists--Montana