Physical & occupational therapy

Our physical therapists work with patients on balance training, an effective way to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

Biomechanical movement assessment involves evaluating an individual’s joint mobility, muscle flexibility and movement patterns to identify limitations or dysfunctions that may contribute to pain or impaired performance. Physical therapists can then design training programs to address these specific biomechanical issues through corrective exercises, proper exercise progression and technique coaching.

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training involves applying a tourniquet or cuff to partially restrict blood flow out of the working muscles during exercise, allowing for significant muscle growth and strength gains using lighter weight loads compared to traditional resistance training. The main purpose of BFR training is to create an anaerobic environment in the muscles that tricks the body into thinking it is working harder than it actually is, thereby stimulating muscle hypertrophy and strength adaptations with lower overall stress and joint impact.

Physical therapists may use cupping as a technique for tissue distraction release, where the cups are glided across different areas to lift and separate tissues, potentially enhancing the release of neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Cupping therapy can help relax muscles, release trigger points, improve lymphatic flow, increase local circulation and release scar tissue adhesions, making it a useful modality in physical therapy for conditions like myofascial pain, chronic neck/back pain, and fibromyalgia.

After an injury, surgery, or onset of specific symptoms, a custom orthosis/splint may be ordered by your doctor. These are most often referred to as a brace or splint. A custom orthosis is molded to and worn on a specific body part. The orthosis may help to protect/support bones, tendons, ligaments, nerves by keeping them in a safe and healthy position. Orthosis may also be used to fix or reduce deformities allowing people to utilize their hands better.

Following surgeries or injuries, scars can become hypersensitive and may not go away on their own. This hypersensitivity can be described as painful, tingling, numbing, shooting or burning in nature. Desensitization and sensory re-education can reduce this sensitivity. Specific techniques include massage, texture massage, immersion, tapping/percussion and vibration.

Individualized exercise programs in occupational therapy involve designing tailored exercise plans that address each patient’s specific needs, impairments, functional limitations, and goals, rather than providing generic or one-size-fits-all exercises. These customized programs consider factors like the patient’s condition, deficits, abilities, preferences and lifestyle.

Dry needling is a technique used by physical therapists (where allowed by state law) that involves inserting thin, solid filament needles into trigger points in muscles or connective tissues to help reduce pain and improve mobility. It aims to release or inactivate myofascial trigger points by targeting the underlying muscular and connective tissues, potentially normalizing dysfunctions and facilitating a return to active rehabilitation.

Edema, or swelling, can occur after an injury or surgical procedure. It is especially common in the upper extremity, specifically hand injuries. It is caused by abnormal movement of fluids in the hand. Occupational therapy includes manual edema techniques that help resolve edema issues as well as education with the use of movement, compression, elevation and modalities.

Occupational therapy involves ergonomics, energy conservation and joint protection. After an initial evaluation with one of our therapists, comprehensive educational sessions can be given to educate people in areas that they can reduce forces and energy that go through painful joints, allowing them to experience less pain and greater function. This type of education can include joint protection, energy conservation, splint/orthotic education, workstation recommendations and adaptive equipment.

Electric stimulation and biofeedback are commonly used techniques in physical therapy, where electric stimulation applies low-voltage currents to stimulate muscles, while biofeedback uses sensors or visual cues to provide patients with real-time feedback about physiological processes like muscle activity, allowing them to gain conscious control over functions that are typically involuntary.

Functional mobility assessments are commonly used in physical therapy to evaluate a patient’s ability to perform everyday movements and identify any limitations or dysfunctions. These assessments provide valuable insights that guide physical therapists in developing targeted treatment plans and corrective exercise programs to improve a patient’s functional mobility, enhance performance and reduce the risk of future injuries.

Gait and running analysis is a valuable tool used by physical therapists to evaluate a patient’s walking or running mechanics, identify any abnormalities or dysfunctions in their movement patterns and develop targeted treatment plans to correct biomechanical issues, improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. Through visual observation, video analysis and other instrumentation, physical therapists can assess factors like foot strike pattern, stride length, joint angles, muscle activity and ground reaction forces to pinpoint limitations and design appropriate interventions.

Individualized exercise programs in physical therapy involve designing tailored exercise plans that address each patient’s specific needs, impairments, functional limitations and goals rather than providing generic or one-size-fits-all exercises. These customized programs take into account factors like the patient’s condition, deficits, abilities, preferences and lifestyle to maximize therapeutic benefits, adherence and successful outcomes.

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a manual therapy technique used in occupational therapy that involves applying specially designed tools to identify and treat soft tissue restrictions, adhesions and scar tissue by breaking them down and promoting healing through increased blood flow and collagen remodeling. IASTM tools like stainless steel instruments are used to amplify the therapist’s ability to detect and mobilize restricted areas in muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia, facilitating an improved range of motion, reduced pain and faster recovery from injuries.

Manual therapy techniques are commonly used by occupational therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, involving skilled hands-on techniques like joint mobilizations and soft tissue mobilization to improve joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, and facilitate proper movement patterns. These manual techniques are often integrated with therapeutic exercise, patient education, and other interventions as part of a comprehensive physical therapy treatment plan.

Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique commonly used in occupational therapy that involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to release restrictions and tightness in the body’s fascial system, which surrounds and supports the muscles, bones, nerves, and other structures. Through targeted myofascial release, occupational therapists can help reduce pain, increase mobility and range of motion, improve posture and alignment, and facilitate the body’s natural healing processes for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

Neuromuscular re-education is a technique used by occupational therapists to restore normal movement patterns by retraining the brain, spinal cord, and muscles in voluntary and reflex motor activities through manual techniques, therapeutic exercises, and activities that engage core control and proximal stability for hand and upper extremity function. It aims to improve movement, strength, balance, coordination, posture, proprioception and kinesthetic sense by facilitating the return of normal neuromuscular function after injury, surgery or neurological conditions.

Occupational therapists are well versed in treating the common injuries that do not need surgical intervention. These diagnoses include but are not limited to: arthritis, tendonitis, sprain/strains, simple fractures, and cumulative trauma injuries/repetitive strain injuries. After a comprehensive evaluation is completed, a customized treatment plan can be developed to maximize outcomes and increase independence for daily living.

Hand therapy is a specialized field focused on the rehabilitation of the upper limb, encompassing the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder girdle. This discipline integrates principles from both occupational therapy and physical therapy, blending a deep understanding of upper limb anatomy with functional and activity-based approaches. Hand therapists employ advanced skills in assessment, planning, and treatment to provide interventions aimed at preventing dysfunction, restoring function, or halting the progression of upper limb pathologies. These professionals are masters in selecting, designing and fabricating custom orthoses/splints for all types of upper extremity injuries. Their ultimate goal is to enhance an individual’s ability to perform tasks and fully engage in life activities.

Hand therapists are certified or licensed occupational therapists or physical therapists who have achieved proficiency in treating upper limb conditions through advanced education, clinical experience, and independent study. A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who has successfully passed a rigorous examination and met the stringent standards set by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc. (HTCC).

Surgery is sometimes required to treat an injury or trauma. Our experienced occupational therapy team specializes in upper extremity surgical rehabilitation that allows people to regain full function. Through skilled assessments and interventions, occupational therapists can help restore strength, range of motion, and functional use through targeted exercises and activities that are graded to progress patients through the post-operative period of recovery. Physical therapists play a vital role in guiding patients through the post-operative rehabilitation process, from initial mobilization to regaining full function, with the goals of minimizing complications, reducing pain and inflammation, and optimizing outcomes.

Pre-habilitation (pre-hab) in physical therapy involves proactive exercises, stretches and interventions designed to improve strength, flexibility and movement patterns before an injury occurs or surgery is performed, with the goal of enhancing physical function, reducing injury risk and facilitating a faster recovery. Physical therapists utilize pre-hab to target areas prone to injury, correct muscle imbalances and faulty movement mechanics and optimize a patient’s overall conditioning to better prepare their body for the demands of daily activities, sports or surgical procedures.

In physical therapy, Return to Sport is viewed as a continuum that involves gradually progressing an athlete from initial rehabilitation to full participation in their sport at their pre-injury level of performance, with phases like Return to Participation, Return to Sport, and Return to Performance. Physical therapists play a key role in facilitating this process through individualized treatment plans, functional assessments, sport-specific training, load management and addressing biopsychosocial factors to ensure a safe and successful return to the desired level of athletic activity.

Return to Work programming in physical therapy involves structured, goal-oriented interventions designed to restore an injured worker’s physical capabilities, job-specific functions and work behaviors to facilitate a safe and timely return to their previous occupational duties. These programs utilize real or simulated work activities, job simulation models, functional capacity evaluations and multidisciplinary approaches to address physical limitations, work conditioning, ergonomics and psychosocial factors impacting return to work.

Occupational therapy includes proper wound care and scar management. Having access to an orthopedic occupational therapist can prevent complications related to poor scarring. The integrated nature of our orthopedic practice makes communication between surgeons and physical and occupational therapists seamless.

Ultrasound is commonly used in physical therapy to promote healing of soft tissue injuries by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and facilitating the breakdown of scar tissue through thermal and non-thermal effects. It delivers high-frequency sound waves that penetrate deep into muscles, tendons, and other tissues to provide therapeutic benefits like pain relief, improved mobility, and accelerated tissue repair.