Physical Therapy Department

Services provided for in-patient care, ambulatory day surgery care, outpatient care and functional capacity testing.

Licensed therapist evaluates and develops an individualized plan of care to assist the patient in recovery from illness, general surgery, orthopedic surgery or wounds.

Department treats patients that range in ages from childhood to geriatric.

Key Benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapists can help...

• Evaluate physical problems

• Increase and maintain muscle strength and endurance

• Restore and increase joint range of motion

• Increase coordination

• Decrease pain

• Decrease muscle spasm and spasticity

• Decrease swelling and inflammation of joints

• Promote healing of soft tissue lesions

• Prevent contracture and deformity of limbs

• Alleviate walking problems

• Educate patients and family

• Decrease stress

There are a number of treatment methods that we utilize in our patients recovery:

• joint mobilization

• soft tissue release

• trigger point release

• manual therapy

• myofascial stretching

• muscle re-education

• modalities

• therapeutic exercise

• re-conditioning program

• specific strengthening of weak muscles

• home exercise program

Physical therapists (PTs) provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.

Therapists examine patients' medical histories, then test and measure their strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. They also determine patients' ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness. Next, they develop treatment plans describing a treatment strategy, its purpose, and anticipated outcome. Physical therapist assistants, under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, may be involved in implementing treatment plans with patients. Physical therapist aides perform routine support tasks, as directed by the therapist.

Treatment often includes exercise for patients who have been immobilized and lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. They encourage patients to use their own muscles to further increase flexibility and range of motion before finally advancing to other exercises improving strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. Their goal is to improve how an individual functions at work and home.

Physical therapists also use electrical stimulation, hot packs or cold compresses, and ultrasound to relieve pain and reduce swelling. They may use traction or deep-tissue massage to relieve pain. Therapists also teach patients to use assertive and adaptive devices such as crutches, prostheses, and wheelchairs. They also may show patients exercises to do at home to expedite their recovery.

As treatment continues, physical therapists document progress, conduct periodic examinations, and modify treatments when necessary. Such documentation is used to track the patient's progress, and identify areas requiring more or less attention.

Physical therapists often consult and practice with a variety of other professionals, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.

Some physical therapists treat a wide range of ailments; others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.