Rehabilitation Niches

Physical Therapists work with patient’s injuries to reduce pain and restore/improve mobility which can result in a reduction of the need for surgery or long-term use of prescription medication. Physical Therapists focus on teaching patients how to prevent or manage their injury so that they can achieve long-term health benefits. Many PT’s plans of care will include the promotion of movement, restoration of function, reduction of pain and, often, fitness related programs; for promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Occupational Therapists work with people of all ages that need assistance in leading productive and independent lives due to a physical, emotional, social, or developmental disorder. Occupational Therapists care about the importance of a task to each individual patient. They manipulate their plans of care to adapt the task and environment to assist the patient in achieving their goals instead of focusing on the injury.

Women’s Health Physical Therapy is a profession that consists of physical therapists treating patients with pelvic and abdominal health issues. Women’s Health Therapists utilize the latest evidence-based physical therapy services to assist everyone from childbearing women to peri-menopausal mothers, young athletes to men with incontinence or other pelvic health complications.

Physical Therapy for Seniors (Geriatrics) has numerous benefits. Therapy can give seniors back their independence and make daily tasks easier. Seniors can gain strength and balance along with a renewed sense of confidence. Working with a physical therapist will provide options to enable a senior to develop their overall strength and ability, which eases pain, helps reduce their risk for injuries, and maintain a higher quality of life.

The first-line treatment for lymphedema is complex physical therapy provided by Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLT). CLT’s treat lymphedema of peripheral body parts through decongestion exercises, compression, and massage. These therapists have a goal to restore function, reduce physical and psychological suffering and prevent the development of infection.

A hand therapist is an occupational or physical therapist who has obtained advanced knowledge of upper extremity conditions through continuing education. These therapists use custom orthotic devices and activity exercise programs to treat conditions such as, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Frozen Shoulder, Tennis Elbow and more. CHT professionals can also train patients in healthy work habits to prevent further injury.

When Physical/Occupational therapists have provided therapy for a patient who is still unable to return to work due to a deficit in their functional capacity they will switch to a different therapy plan that includes work conditioning/ hardening. Work conditioning focuses on strength and endurance and may include work related activities. Work Hardening focuses on work simulation, vocational counseling, and behavioral management. These treatments may occur once a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) has been performed. An FCE assesses a patient’s capacity to perform work activities related to his/ her profession. The therapists’ function is to provide an analysis to the individual’s employer with recommendations.

Physical/Occupational therapists play a critical role in identifying the need for orthotics. The decision to use orthotics is based on the assessment of range of motion, alignment, voluntary control of movement, muscle tone, and functional level of the patient. These custom DME (Durable Medical Equipment) products greatly improve the stability and function of an injury by controlling the range of motion and posture.

Speech and language therapists (SLP’s) are professionals able to assess and treat delays, disorders or injuries that effect the speech or language of their patient. These therapists can assist with articulation, fluency, or resonance issues for patients of all ages by creating plans of care that exercise the tongue and mouth muscles. SLP’s can also teach exercises that strengthen the jaw and throat to correct any difficulties with eating, swallowing or drooling.

Pediatric physical therapists collaborate with the families of their patients to promote development and create specified intervention programs for their children. These patients have been thoroughly evaluated to assess their mobility, sensory, neuromotor development, muscle and joint function, posture and balance and oral motor skills. The pediatric PT uses this evaluation to adapt toys for play, position toys to derive patient’s best function, expand the child’s mobility options with effective equipment use and smooth external transitions for both patient and parent.

Physical and Occupational therapists must assist their patients in reaching their plan of care goals. Patients whom have shown difficulty with traditional therapy often show an improvement with aqua therapy. This therapy works best with those that suffer from chronic conditions or acute injury by providing therapy in an essentially weightless environment. Aquatic therapy makes exercise less painful, the warmth of the water reduces tight muscles, and the water resistance strengthens the muscles. The therapists ultimate goal is to bring the patient back to traditional therapy within 3-12 sessions so they can continue to improve in an environment that is closer to normal circumstances.