Comprehensive Services
At the age of 17, while cycling on a busy street, a car suddenly forced him into a parked bus. His injuries to the C5 and C6 vertebrae resulted in quadriplegia. Within two years of the accident, Bobby enrolled in the NHMC Driving Preparation Program.
“It’s hard to explain the wonderful feeling you get when you drive again for the first time. My care team, headed by Physiatrist Joel Rosen, MD, tailored every aspect of the vehicle to me so I could return to the road with assurance that I would be a safe and independent driver.”
The Center for Rehabilitation Medicine offers a comprehensive Outpatient Program to assist patients in their recovery after illness, injury or catastrophic event. Specialized services include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy.
Each service caters to the individualized needs of the patient. We develop a personalized treatment plan to help patients recover to their highest level of function. The referring physician is a key part of our team, and communication is maintained through regular progress summaries. The programs include state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled therapists who provide one-on-one care.
Specialized equipment is available as needed to enhance treatments:
- Voice activated computer software
-
Bioness electrical stimulation for the upper and lower extremities
- VisiPitch computerized voice assessment and therapy
- Augmentative Communication
- Motomed ergometer equipment
-
Myomo - noninvasive, portable robotic device that enables brain injured patients with partially paralyzed arms to control movement of the affected limb with requiring electrical stimulation or surgical procedures of any kind.
- Seat Mapping - system that provides an easy way for analyzing, assessing and preventing pressure ulcers in patients with little or no bodily sensation.
- Primus - smart physical therapy equipment for multi-joint testing, orthopedic rehab, neuromuscular re-education and advanced musculoskeletal training of the upper and lower body extremities, as well as the core.
Physical Therapy is specifically designed for individuals who have a physical impairment or dysfunction inhibiting their functional mobility. Common conditions treated are:
- Acute sprains and strains
- Arthritis Back pain
- Brain injury
- Neurological dysfunction
- Orthopedic – surgical and non-surgical
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
- Total joint replacements
- Vestibular and balance problems
Treatment Approach
An individualized treatment plan is designed for the patient based on evaluation results and the goals of the patient. The treatment program uses the most advanced equipment, which may include the following:
- Electrical and thermal modalities
-
Bioness electrical stimulation for the lower extremity - electrical stimulation for the arm, hand and foot that uses mild electrical stimulation to improve arm and hand function. It also helps to combat foot drop by stimulating the nerves in the leg that lift the foot.
- Lite gait - is a training device that simultaneously controls weight bearing, posture, and balance while the patient is suspended by a harness over a treadmill, or over ground. The harness supports progression of the patient's weight bearing status from non to full weight bearing.
- Universal gym equipment
- Prosthetic and orthotic training
- Gait equipment
- Indoor therapeutic pool
- Range-of-motion and strength training
- Wheelchair assessment and training
Occupational Therapy thoroughly enhances the individual’s ability to increase functional independence for day-to-day living. As part of Occupational Therapy we also have a dedicated Hand Rehabilitation Therapy Clinic for injuries/diseases related to the arm and hand as well as a Driver Preparation Program.
Common conditions treated are:
- Brain injury
- Neurological dysfunction (i.e., Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Stroke Acute pains and strains
- Arthritis
Treatment Approach
A variety of treatment techniques are used by the Occupational Therapist, including adaptive equipment, self-care retraining, cognitive and therapeutic exercise. The treatment program is designed based on the evaluation findings and the specific goals of each patient. It may consist of the following activities:
- Adaptive equipment training
- Self-care training
- Home and community training
- Functional activities
- Neuro-developmental therapy
- Range-of-motion and strengthening
- Splinting
- Cognitive retraining
- Fine and gross motor activities
Speech Therapy Program is a comprehensive service that offers therapy for individuals who have difficulty speaking or swallowing, and for cognitive impairments that may be adversely impacting their everyday life. Common conditions we treat include:
- Aphasia - a disorder that impairs the patient's ability to produce and/or understand language, and may also affect reading and writing.
- Apraxia - loss of ability to execute or carry out learned purposeful movements despite having the desire an physical ability to perform the movement.
- Brain injury/tumor
- Dysarthria - condition that causes problems with muscles that help patients talk and makes it difficult to pronounce words.
- Dysphagia - difficulty swallowing solid foods or liquids.
- Laryngectomy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Oral pharyngeal cancer
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Voice disorders
- Stroke
Treatment Approach
The Speech Therapist develops a treatment plan and recommendations based on a comprehensive evaluation. It is designed to meet the needs and goals of the patient and may include the following:
- Augmentative communication devices
- Breathing techniques
- Compensation techniques
- Communication boards
- Memory strategies
- Oral hygiene and care
- Speech
- Swallowing evaluations
- Swallowing strategies
- Voice training
Referral Process
Patients may be referred by their physician, rehabilitation specialist or case manager. All patients must have a current prescription from their treating physician. The patient or referring party may call Outpatient Therapy Department to register and provide intake information. The patient will be contacted for an initial evaluation appointment.
For additional information or referrals, please contact the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine Outpatient Therapy Department at 818-885-5330.
