Services
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is a conservative form of treatment for musculoskeletal disorders.
Each program is designed by a licensed Physical Therapist who works closely with your physician. Treatments may consist of joint specific treatments, soft tissue mobilization, an exercise program, modalities, and patient education. This means we help you feel better with hands-on treatments; and personal attention to your needs in a comfortable setting.
A referral from a physician, nurse practitioner, podiatrist, or chiropractor is required for treatment. Areas of expertise include but are not limited to the following:
Geriatrics
Neurology/Stroke rehab
Pediatrics
Orthopedics
Sports Injuries
Industrial Services
Patient Education
Life Skills/Daily Activities
Injury Prevention Programs
Functional Capacity Evaluations
Hippotherapy
Why would I see a therapist?
The conditions a Physical Therapist treat may vary from children with developmental delays, to sporting/work related injuries, to helping combat arthritis and degenerative changes.
A Physical Therapist is a specialist who works closely with your physician to reduce pain and help you return to regular activities. Pain may be a result of headaches, back pain, a sprained ankle, or a variety of other concerns. Physical Therapy is also useful to speed the recovery process after surgery.
Customized Physical Therapy Solutions
A Physical Therapy solution can be put together for your injury or specific area of pain including:
Back and neck pain
Shoulder and arm pain
Hand and wrist pain
Leg, hip, knee, ankle and foot pain
Postsurgical Rehabilitation
Pain Management
Modalities:
Modalities are procedures to retrain a muscle and decrease pain and swelling. The following is a list of the many modalities that specializes in:
- Moist Heat/Ice
- Ultrasound
- Phonophoresis
- Combined EMS
- Fluidotherapy
- Iontophoresis
- EMS
- TENS
- Near Infrared Light Therapy
Ask your doctor for more information about Physical Therapy!!
Geriatric Rehabilitation
Adult Aging is a normal process. Some age-related bodily changes may be misunderstood and unnecessarily limit daily activities. Normal aging need not result in pain and decrease in physical mobility. A Physical Therapist is a source of information to understand these changes and offer assistance for regaining lost abilities or develop new ones. A Physical Therapist, working with the older adult, understands the anatomical and physiological changes that occur with normal aging. The Physical Therapist will evaluate and develop a specially designed therapeutic exercise program. Physical therapy intervention may prevent life long disability and restore the highest level of functioning.Through the use of tests, evaluations, exercises, treatments with modalities, screening programs, as well as educational information, Physical Therapists:
- increase, restore or maintain range of motion, physical strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and endurance
- recommend adaptations to make the home accessible and safe
- increase overall fitness through exercise programs
- prevent further decline in functional abilities through education, energy conservation techniques, joint protection, and use of assistive devices to promote independence
- improve sensation, joint proprioception
- reduce pain
Common Conditions A vast number of conditions are treated effectively with physical therapy intervention. Examples of specific diseases and conditions that may affect older people and be improved with physical therapy include:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke)
- Cancer
- Parkinson's Disease
- Amputations
- Cardiac and Pulmonary Diseases
- Coordination and Balance Disorders
- Functional Limitations related to mobility
- Sports/Orthopedic Injuries
- Joint Replacements
- Hip Fractures
For more information please see: http://www.geriatricspt.org/clients/resources.cfm
Neurologic Rehabilitation
Neurologic Physical Therapists work with individuals with either congenital (from birth) or acquired neurologic disease, dysfunction, or trauma:
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Arterialvenous Malformation
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cerebellar Disorders
- Central Nervous System Tumors
- Dystonia
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Huntington's Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Parkinson's Disease
- Peripheral Nerve Injury
- Polio / Post-Polio Syndrome
- Radiculopathy
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Sub-arachnoid Hemorrhage
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Vestibular Dysfunction
Many of these individuals can have certain types of problems:
- An inability to perform activities of daily living such as
- Getting in and out of bed
- Walking
- Going up and down stairs
- Carrying out life roles in a safe, independent and efficient manner
- An inability to return to work or recreational activities
- Loss of flexibility or strength
- Loss of sensation
- Reduced vision
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion or diminished mental capacity
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination
- Decreased endurance
- Poor balance
- Falls
- Caregivers have difficulty or are unsafe assisting with patient mobility
- Home or Work is not accessible to the individual
Neurologic Physical Therapist Rx
- Perform an examination and evaluation to establish
- A functional diagnosis - A prognosis for functional recovery
- The need for physical therapy services
- A plan of care
- Provide intervention which may consist of
- Direct intervention
- Coordination of services
- Discharge planning
- Interventions list
- Therapeutic exercise
- Strengthening
- Stretching
- Aerobic conditioning
- Sensory training
- Coordination of movement
- Balance training
- Functional skills training such as moving in bed, walking, wheelchair skills, shopping, and returning to work
- Prescribing orthoses and adaptive equipment
- Instructing patients in directing their own care
- Instructing caregivers in assisting with mobility
- Environmental evaluation
- Discharge planning
- Case management
- Referring to other professionals
- Aquatic exercise
See http://www.neuropt.org for more information
For more information go to: http://www.pediatricapta.org/
Orthopedic Rehabilitation
This area encompasses many of the various injuries seen by Physical Therapist on a day-to-day basis. Examples of the injuries/problems we care for include:
- Rotator cuff tear, tendonitis
- Dislocating shoulder
- Arthritis
- Cartilage tear
- Fractures
Elbow:
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis
Hand/Wrist:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trigger finger
- Fractures
Hip:
- Arthritis
- Failed joint replacement
- Hip Fractures:
- Cartilage (labral) tears
- Loose bodies
- Hip Replacement
- Arthritis
- Failed joint replacement
- Meniscus tear
- ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL tears
- Bursitis
- Chondromalacia
- Recurrent dislocations
- Fractures
Ankle:
- Arthritis
- Recurrent sprains
- Pain
- Fractures
Neck/Back:
- Degenerative disc disease/Arthritis
- Sterosis
- Herniated disk
- H/A
- Back pain
- Scoliosis
- Fibro myelgia
Aquatic TherapyWhat are sports injuries?
Industrial Rehabilitation
The term sports injury, in the broadest sense, refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise. Some sports injuries result from accidents; others are due to poor training practices, improper equipment, lack of conditioning, or insufficient warm-up and stretching.
Although virtually any part of your body can be injured during sports or exercise, the term is usually reserved for injuries that involve the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, bones, and associated tissues like cartilage.
For more information go to: Handout on Sports Injuries
Therapists Provide:
- Aid in pain control
- Instruction of proper lifting and body mechanics
- Ergonomic assessments
- Instruction in injury prevention
- Communication with the employee, physician and employer as appropriate
- Activities that are focused on the patient being able to complete the essential functions of their job and return to work
- Assistance in determining appropriateness for return to work
- Work Hardening for those who need special care in returning to work.
Work Hardening focuses on:
- Simulating work activities
- Increasing endurance for work.
Functional Capacity Evaluations:
Functional capacity evaluations objectively quantify the physical capacity and vocational abilities of workers after they have incurred work-related injuries. FCE's can help determine the ability of injured workers to do their jobs safely by measuring such things as flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination. Functional Capacity Evaluations are performed by licensed physical or occupational therapists at the request of physicians, insurance companies, rehabilitation nurses, or attorneys.
When to request an FCE:
- Client who is nearing the end of a rehabilitation program.
- There is a question as to whether or not the individual can return to a previous job.
- Someone is returning to work, but needs to know what restrictions may be necessary.
- To determine the need for further treatment programs.
Who Should Be Referred for an FCE?
- Individuals who have achieved maximum medical improvement but continue to have issues related to re-injury and return to work.
- Individuals who need quantification of their physical capacities for determination of disability status.
- Individuals who need their function quantified prior to vocational job search and/or return to work
- Individuals who require quantification of their physical function for medical legal reasons.
What can I expect?
The functional capacity evaluation assesses the individual's flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, cardiovascular condition, and body mechanics. An effective FCE determines whether there is a match between the individual's functional capabilities, and the physical demands of work. Typically, an FCE focuses on a job goal rather than on individual aptitudes, interest, and temperaments. The individual's psychosocial behaviors are assessed in relation to appropriate worker traits.
There are two types of FCE:
- Baseline FCE - An objective assessment of the individual's physical abilities to perform a variety of tasks related to the physical demands of work
- Job specific FCE - An evaluation of the individual's physical abilities to function within the parameters of an identified job. The job specific FCE is based on critical physical demands of the essential functions of the job. Work simulation activities are often an integral component of the evaluation.
A physical or occupational therapist trained to administer FCE's will evaluate you. The session lasts between 2 and 6 hours depending on the individual's needs. The process involves filling out pain and function questionnaires and completing physical tasks that have been selected by the evaluator and that will best meet the individual's needs. The FCE evaluator will analyze the data collected from the session to reflect the specific objective information regarding functional work ability in the determination of occupational disability status.
How Can I Get an Appointment?
Case managers, physicians, nurse practitioners, state or local agencies, workers compensation, insurance companies, attorneys, or private payers can obtain a referral for an FCE. Once the referral has been made, an appointment can be scheduled.
Hippotherapy
Click here to become a rider or volunteer.
Why the Horse?
The horse's walk provides sensory input through movement, which is variable, rhythmic, and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the patient are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. The variability of the horse's gait enables the therapist to grade the degree of sensory input to the patient, and then utilize this movement in combination with other treatment strategies to achieve desired results. Patients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable experience in a natural setting.
How does Hippotherapy work?
The natural movement of the horse is used to help individuals increase their functional abilities. The horse's movement translates through the person, causing many parts of the body to do work. This response is sometimes achieved without the person's awareness of their effort. The therapist can modify the horse's movement to promote specific responses within the person. This approach to treatment uses meaningful activities and specific goals, while providing the individual with a joyful experience, in a natural setting. Why a horse? The horse's pelvis moves in the same three ways as a human pelvis does. This creates a movement pattern similar to human walking. The horse also provides sensory input which impacts the person's vestibular, tactile, and proprioceptive systems. A foundation for the development of sensorimotor abilities is established. Therefore, motor planning abilities are promoted. Individuals approximately 2 years of age and older can benefit from hippotherapy. They can have a variety of diagnoses including: Impairments that may be modified with hippotherapy are: a.. Abnormal tone b.. Impaired balance responses c.. Impaired coordination d.. Impaired communication e.. Impaired sensorimotor function f.. Postural asymmetry g.. Poor postural control h.. Decreased mobility i.. Limbic system function related to arousal, motivation, and attention Medical Conditions
The primary medical conditions, which may manifest some or all of the above problems and may be indications for hippotherapy, are listed below. However, hippotherapy is not for every patient. Specially trained health professionals must evaluate each potential patient on an individual basis.
a.. Cerebral Palsy b.. Cerebral Vascular Accident (stroke) c.. Developmental Delay d.. Down Syndrome e.. Functional Spinal Curvature f.. Learning or language disabilities g.. Multiple Sclerosis h.. Sensory Integrative Dysfunction i.. Traumatic Brain Injury Functional limitations relating to the following general areas may be improved with hippotherapy: a.. Gross motor skills such as sitting, standing, walking b.. Speech and language abilities c.. Behavioral and cognitive abilities What is the difference between Therapeutic Assisted Riding and Hippotherapy? Coming soon to Allen Therapies, Inc.
Therapeutic Riding, also known, as Equine Assisted Therapy, Equine Facilitated Therapy, and Riding for the Disabled, is the use of the horse and equine-oriented activities to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, including cognitive, physical, emotional, social, educational and behavioral goals without a Licensed Physical Therapist. Therapeutic riding is practiced in some form in most countries in the world. Great Britain formed the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) program initially to promote competition and equine sports for the disabled. Germany and Switzerland have been in the forefront of developing and establishing Hippotherapy as a medical model of equine-assisted therapy. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) in the United States puts forward a model that incorporates therapy, education, sport, and recreation/leisure activities. a.. At some centers, the emphasis is on learning riding skills and using these skills for recreational or sport purposes. These would include trail riding, driving, vaulting and competition. a.. An emphasis on education and/or psycho/social development usually includes educational, behavioral, social, and emotional growth. Specific goals in these areas are incorporated in the standard riding lesson. a.. The therapeutic/medical model integrates principles of medical and/or psychological development into various uses of the horse. In this case, the use of medical practitioners such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech therapists and others become an important part of the program. A specialized form of therapy called Hippotherapy is sometimes employed by physical, occupational and speech therapists who are trained in this area. a.. Many centers use an integrated approach, involving all three of the above approaches. Most centers, as well, use a team approach to therapeutic riding. The team consists of some or all of the following: riding instructors, volunteers, educational specialists, behavioral specialists, and medical professionals. The Benefits of Therapeutic Riding a.. From the beginning, riders learn balance, coordination and self-assurance while receiving therapeutic muscle stimulation. a.. As a result of carefully planned lessons, poise posture, strength and flexibility improve. a.. A strong sense of responsibility develops as the rider learns to take part in the care of the horses and equipment. a.. Advanced equestrian skills, teamwork and cooperation are learned as the rider becomes independent on horseback. a.. Classes, horse shows and events encourage confidence, self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment as new levels of expertise and new goals are met.
For more information go to:
The American Hippotherapy Association Inc. (AHA Inc.) http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. NARHA http://www.narha.org/
