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Rehabilitation Services

The rehabilitation department offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, lymphedema therapy, and speech/language pathology services on both an inpatient and an outpatient basis. The department is located in the main hospital building. It includes an open gym area for easy access to exercise equipment, room for many different therapeutic activities that require lots of space, and plenty of privacy for patients.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants work as part of an interdisciplinary team to prevent and treat injury, educate patients and their families, and prepare them for the highest quality of life.

There are several ways to achieve your physical therapy goals. Physical therapy typically includes (but is not limited to):

  • Gait training (retraining to improve the quality of walking)
  • Muscle strengthening and coordination
  • Balance activities for controlled and coordinated movements
  • Pain management
  • Manual therapy (hands-on therapy to improve joint mobility and muscle function)
  • Modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, etc.)
  • Neuromuscular facilitation (hands-on work used to stimulate muscle function)

Vestibular physical therapy services are also available through our PT department. Vestibular PT is a specialized form of physical therapy used to treat vestibular disorders or symptoms, characterized by dizziness, vertigo, and trouble with balance, posture, and vision.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) involves the use of assessment and intervention to develop, recover, or maintain the meaningful activities, or occupations, of patients. Occupational therapists evaluate and treat patients of all ages with disabilities, injuries, or impairments. They coordinate skilled treatment plans and goals with the patient, physicians, families, caregivers and other professionals to obtain maximum benefit from the therapy services provided. Using a wide variety of exercises, treatments and purposeful activities, the goal is to enable the patient to assume or resume the highest quality of functional living as is possible.

Occupational therapy typically includes (but is not limited to):

  • Self-care needs (dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming, feeding)
  • Balance issues (sitting balance, standing balance)
  • Cognitive skills (problem solving, memory, attention, judgment)
  • Independent living skills (cooking, cleaning, money management)
  • Psychosocial issues (stress management, adjustment to illness)
  • Upper extremity rehab (range of motion, strength, sensation)
  • Sensory integration

Lymphedema Therapy

Our OT Department has a Certified Lymphedema Therapist on staff providing treatment to those diagnosed with Lymphedema.

Lymphedema is an abnormal build-up of protein-rich fluid in the space between cells of the body which can cause chronic inflammation, reactive hardening of the skin, and varying amounts of fat build-up in the affected area. In America, the most common cause of lymphedema is cancer, which is usually treated with removal of and/or radiation of lymph nodes in the axillary (armpit) and inguinal (groin) areas of the body, however, lymphedema can occur due to other reasons, including issues with veins and circulation, genetics, unknown onset, and parasitic infections known as “filariasis”.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for lymphedema, however, treatment is available to decrease the symptoms and allow for a normal life without the burden that comes with a lymphedema diagnosis.

Typically, you can expect the therapy sessions to be three to five times per week, with the duration depending on the severity of the problem. The sessions typically combine a form of soft tissue mobilization, compression, exercise and education regarding self management. The sooner you seek treatment, the less therapy is required, and the easier the self management is.

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy can help with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of communication disorders or swallowing problems. Speech therapists also function as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team for patients who require rehabilitation after a major illness or neurological condition that has affected their speech and communication skills. The speech therapist can also provide counseling to patients and their families about communication and swallowing disorders.

Our therapists provide professional, compassionate solutions that will help you become and stay active.

Speech therapy typically includes (but is not limited to):

  • Dysphagia (impaired feeding/swallowing strategies)
  • Oral motor control (treatment to improve the function of the mouth)
  • Neurological communication deficits (difficulty speaking after a stroke, etc.)
  • Cognitive deficits (memory, reading, problem-solving, sequencing)
  • Communication compensation (communication boards, sign language)