Outpatient Physical Therapy

At Mease Countryside Hospital, our physical therapists work to help to relieve pain, promote healing and restore function. Conditions we treat include:

• Back and neck pain
• Chronic pain
• Sports injuries
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Arthritic conditions
• Post-operative rehabilitation
• Neurological conditions

Postural Retraining

Poor posture is one of the biggest causes of many spine and shoulder injuries. Spine and shoulder injuries and/or pain are treated by evaluating muscle imbalances and providing simple stretches and exercises to help address imbalances. We also use a new brace to retrain muscle to maintain posture.

Neurological Conditions

We treat a variety of neurological conditions using state of the art equipment. Part of our evaluation and training may include computer technology developed for NASA called the Smart Balance Master® System. For neurologic patients needing gait training, we now offer the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill® which provides partial weight-bearing therapy while promoting normal gait patterns. Our post-stroke rehabilitation focuses on neuroplasticity or “brain rewiring” including our Constraint -Induced Therapy program. Our vestibular and balance program uses a variety of treatment techniques such as laser light therapy and whole body vibration for individuals with neuropathies. We also have clinicians specially certified to help those with vertigo.

Orthopedic Conditions

When it comes to strains and sprains, joint replacement and rotator cuff tears, the clinicians and athletic trainers at Mease Countryside Hospital use a variety of manual therapy techniques and innovative technology, such as the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill®, to address the special needs of patients with these types of orthopedic conditions and injuries. Our therapists are experienced with the limitations certain surgeries such as hip replacement or ACL reconstruction place on rehabilitative programs. They design therapy programs that work within the weight bearing and range of motion limits of these surgeries while ensuring a successful outcome for the patient.

Pediatric Physical Therapy

The overall goal of physical therapy for children at Mease Countryside Hospital is to improve each patient’s quality of function within his or her daily life; to assist the child in achieving age-appropriate gross motor development, self-help and play skills; to decrease the effect of the pathology in the functional activities, as well as correct/prevent progression of postural deviations.

Specific skills which may be addressed in physical therapy include:

• Functional mobility: gait and pre-gait training, transfers/transition skills, adaptive equipment, wheelchair skills, etc.
• Positioning: use of adaptive equipment for positioning, handling and transportation of the child.
• Neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems: muscle strength, endurance, range of motion, coordination skills, motor planning, control of muscle tone, equilibrium and balance reactions, integration of developmentally appropriate reflexes and reactions, musculoskeletal deformities and deviations, etc.
• Physiological functions: improve cardiovascular function and fitness level, muscle strength and endurance, body mechanics and energy conservation techniques.
• Family education: home programs and activities, positioning, parent education and support.

Physical therapy is important for infants and children with problems and diagnoses related, but not limited to:

• Premature birth
• Cerebral Palsy and other neurological disorders
• Postural deviations
• Motor development disorders
• Orthopedic conditions (fractures, gait deviations, range of motion and strength issues)