Physical Therapy provided to any ill person who sustained a change in physical function resulting from surgery, illness or injury. Under orders from their physician, patients admitted to the hospital are evaluated by an acute care physical therapist. A treatment plan and goals are established to restore patients back to their prior level of function. An acute care Physical Therapist works closely with the patient’s physician, nurse and social worker regarding appropriate discharge plans from the hospital. Patient diagnoses range from neurological, orthopedic, cardiac and respiratory. Examples of acute care physical therapy interventions include therapeutic exercise, transfer/functional training and gait training with appropriate assistive devices (cane, walker, crutches, etc).

Physical therapy is an integral part of treatment for many orthopedic problems, including fractures, sprains and strains, tendonitis, bursitis, back pain, spinal problems and total joint replacements.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy treatment has several stages:

• Decrease pain and/or swelling with modalities

• Improve range of motion and strength through graded exercise stages

• Normalization of walking and other activities of daily living to return the patient to the best possible level of function.

     Aquatic therapy is the use of water’s natural properties to enhance exercise and create a safe environment for progressive rehabilitation. Aquatic therapy is used to improve circulation, increase strength and endurance, encourage balance and coordination, increase range of motion, decrease tissue swelling and inflammation, normalize muscle tone and decrease joint stress with exercise. Typical conditions treated with aquatic therapy are chronic pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, soft tissue injuries, back pain and postoperative conditions such as arthroscopy and total joint replacements.

     Manual therapy is a clinical approach used by physical therapists to diagnose and treat problems of the soft tissue and joint structures for the purpose of controlling pain utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization. Outcomes include increasing range of motion, reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation, inducing relaxation, increasing the speed of healing, increasing joint stability, facilitating movement and improving overall function.

     The Center for Sports Medicine provides quality enhancement to athletes by using sports-specific training. The Center specializes in football, basketball, and baseball but all sports are included. The focus of the program is on improving strength, endurance, speed, agility and vertical jump by providing exercises that will meet the athlete’s goals. Athletes will have access to state-of-the-art equipment at our HealthStyles facility with private one-on-one training. Services include: comprehensive consultation, one-on-one training sessions, football combine testing and preseason/in season team performance and lifting programs.

     Myofascial release is a form of physical therapy treatment aimed to promote healing and relieve pain. Myofascial release consists of gentle, sustained pressure to release connective tissue restrictions that trap tissues into a painful position. Fascia is a connective tissue that is found throughout the body and encompasses every organ, muscle nerve and blood vessel. Trauma, postural dysfunction, inflammation or emotional stress may cause fascial restrictions. Patients who suffer from back pain, neck pain, headaches or fibromyalgia may benefit greatly from this form of physical therapy treatment.

     Integrative Physical Therapy combines principles of yoga exercise with traditional physical therapy. The focus is on pain reduction and functional improvement through increasing strength and flexibility while incorporating breathing and relaxation techniques into the exercise program. Many of us live with stress in many aspects of our lives. In a chronically stressed state, the body’s capacity to heal is often compromised and recovery is prolonged. In yoga therapy our patients practice nurturing physical postures. This gentle practice helps to reduce stress and tension, so exercise is done with greater ease and rehabilitation is facilitated.