September marks National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. Rehabilitation benefits patients and makes a huge impact on their everyday lives, no matter the reason they started with a rehabilitation program.
Illness, serious injuries, and surgery are common reasons, and a rehabilitation program is designed to help you recover to your fullest potential. There are several types of rehabilitation that help fit the needs of any patient needing these services.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehabilitation allows patients to get care for regaining mobility or functionality, and safely returning to their normal lives at home. There are numerous different types of outpatient rehab including but not limited to:
- Aquatic Therapy
- Concussion Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Pediatric Therapy
- Pelvic Health Therapy
- Return to Work or Sports Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Stroke Rehabilitation
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehabilitation patients are usually in a more serious condition and are required to remain in the hospital until they meet certain clinical criteria. Doctors and nurses will meet with you to provide therapy services tailored to your specific needs on a daily basis. Your care team will share your goals, progress, and help to overcome any barriers that are keeping you from reaching these goals. Staying at the hospital gives these patients access to state-of-the-art equipment plus 24-hour care and support.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Physical medicine and rehabilitation focuses on advanced rehabilitation technology and the development of new treatments to help patients achieve mobility and maintain independence. Some of the conditions that are treated with physical medicine and rehabilitation include brain injuries, chronic pain, spasticity, spinal cord injuries, and stroke.
Some procedures that are offered include:
- Botox Injections – Help regain movement.
- Acupuncture – Aids chronic pain.
- Electromyography (EMG) – Assesses the health of nerve cells and muscles.
- Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy – Improves circulation and corrects imbalances in the body.
- Other General Physiatry Practices
Neuropsychology/Rehabilitation Psychology
Neuropsychology specialists provide individualized evaluations to diagnose memory, mood, behavior, and cognitive problems that are a result of a neurological condition. Brain function will be evaluated by focusing on several areas including personality, memory, emotions, cognitive ability, reasoning, and problem-solving.
Rehabilitation is a broad field with a focused goal – empowering participants in recovery toward active, healthy lifestyles. No matter which program you or a loved one are receiving care in, rehabilitation is a team sport. Physical and occupation therapists, speech-language pathologists, physiatrists, rehabilitation nurses, and a patient’s loved ones all take part in the rehabilitation recovery process. Whether you take part in an outpatient, inpatient, physical medicine, or neuropsychology program, the team ensures you get a plan personalized to your specific needs, encouraging the best possible outcome.
Jacob Dgien is a physical therapist with UPMC Rehabilitation and sees patients at UPMC Williamsport, 700 High St., Williamsport. To schedule an appointment with Jacob, call 570-321-2605. For more information, visit UPMC.com/RehabNCPA.
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