We provide comprehensive rehabilitation programs for people of all ages, addressing varied rehabilitation needs following injury, surgery or for chronic conditions. Our advanced diagnostic techniques enable our clinicians to identify the pain sources, then develop customized plans for each patient using proven treatment techniques that improve motion, reduce pain, reduce swelling, increase muscle strength, improve endurance, restore function and prevent disability.

We offer goal-oriented programs that utilize a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, giving patients an active role in their own care.

Who benefits from Physical Therapy?

Postoperative Patients who need to regain muscle strength and coordination
Athletes who are recovering from injuries (as well as those trying to prevent injury)
Accident Victims such as from car crashes, job related mishaps, etc.
Employees who are returning to work after an injury
People with Arthritis who seek pain relief and increased joint motion
Cancer Patients who are seeking relief from discomfort
Pregnant Women who develop back pain and other muscular or joint problems due to pregnancy
Many More…physical therapy can improve a number of chronic or acute injuries and ailments.

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 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

Treatment methods that can be utilized in a patient’s 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

Balance, endurance, stabilization and strengthening are emphasized with the goal to enhance function and advance to higher activity levels. Prior to discharge your home exercise program will be updated accordingly. You are welcome to call your physical therapist should any questions arise after your discharge from treatment.

Physical Therapy and Your Body

Visit the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) online www.apta.org to obtain a wealth of information about how physical therapy can help with arthritis; your back; balance and falls; carpal tunnel syndrome; fitness; issues of the foot, ankle, knee, hip, hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder; incontinence; neck pain; osteoporosis; posture; scoliosis; women's issues; and those who are young at heart.

A physical therapist is a skilled, licensed health care professional that evaluates and treats people with a variety of dysfunctions. The therapist will assess joint motion/stability, muscle strength/endurance, flexibility, cardiac/pulmonary function, functional ability, and performance of functional activities. The therapist will also evaluate patients’ needs, diagnose physical therapy problems, establish plans of care and evaluate effectiveness. In a dynamic approach, which combines functional exercises and manual techniques, the therapist work to restore or maintain the patient’s strength, mobility and function. The main goal is for patients to achieve freedom from pain to prevent future injury and to return to an independent lifestyle at home, work and play.

Becoming a Physical Therapist

PTA: Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) graduate from universities, community colleges, or technical colleges with an associate's degree after two years of study. PTAs work under the direction of a physical therapist (PT). PTAs' duties can include assisting in instructing patients in exercises and activities of daily living (including physical modalities), using special equipment, collecting data on the patient's progress, and documenting and reporting on the patient's response. There are currently 234 PTA programs across the country.
PT: Professional (entry-level) physical therapist education programs are offered at two degree levels: doctoral and master's.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs: The majority of DPT programs require students to enter with an undergraduate degree, though some will admit students after three years of undergraduate work, and a few admit students at the freshman level. Students are in the program between six and nine semesters. As of September 2005, there are 142 DPT programs across the country.
- Master's degree (MPT, MSPT, MS) programs: The majority of these programs require that students have at least three years of undergraduate work. Some require students to enter with an undergraduate degree, and some admit students at the freshman level. Like the DPT programs, the students are in the program between six and none semester. As of September 2005, there are 68 programs across the country offering master's degrees.

For more information about the physical therapy profession, please visit www.apta.org