Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation aims to restore patient functionality (or as much functionality as possible) following an injury or surgical procedure, as well as in patients with disabilities or physical impairments. Also known as “rehab,” the practice typically employs exercises and/or physical manipulation, usually without the use of medications or surgery.
A number of different types of medical specialists facilitate rehabilitation, including physiatrists (doctors who practice rehabilitation medicine), physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, as well as nurses and other caregivers. Further, the patient’s commitment to the rehab regimen is critical to the success of any rehab program.
There are a wide range of rehabilitation types, including:
- Physical therapy, which incorporates exercises and active movements in an
effort to aid recovery from an injury or surgical procedure, or to boost functionality in patients with physical disabilities or impairments - Occupational therapy, which uses exercises and active movements to help patients gain or regain independence in performing everyday tasks such as writing, brushing their teeth, and opening packages, as well as enhance their mobility, coordination, dexterity, and strength, primarily in the upper body
- Sports medicine, an orthopaedic subspecialty focused on the care, prevention, and treatment of injuries and conditions related to athletics, work, or life activities
- Speech-language therapy, which employs exercises and other techniques to help patients improve their articulation, eating, and motor skills
- Pelvic floor therapy, which aims to improve the strength and function of the muscles in the pelvic floor using therapy options such as bladder training, biofeedback, manual therapy/massage, and pelvic floor strengthening
The rehabilitation team at Wilmington Health specializes in physical therapy, sports medicine, and pelvic floor therapy.
Physical Therapy
An important component of many rehabilitation programs, physical therapy (PT) focuses on the use of exercises and movements to help patients retrain/rebuild their muscles, regain motion/function, and relieve pain after an injury or surgery. It can also be employed in an effort to prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities after an injury or surgery, and to help patients overcome any disabilities or physical impairments by adjusting the way they move. And while the exercise routines that physical therapists provide to patients for both in-person and at-home use can sometimes lead to discomfort, the movements are designed to speed recovery and a return to functionality.
In addition, physical therapists may use tools and techniques like hot packs, cold compresses, electrical stimulation, ultrasound devices, traction, and manual therapy techniques to help relieve patients’ pain and/or reduce any swelling. Often, physical therapists also play a role in teaching patients to use mobility aids such as crutches, wheelchairs, and prostheses.
Physical therapy can be used in the treatment of a broad range of conditions, injuries, and ailments, with some of the most common ones including:
- Accident injuries
- Pain in the back and neck
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Gait and balance problems
PT is also frequently employed to restore functionality, strength, and range of motion in the wake of orthopaedic issues and injuries such as:
- Sprains and strains
- Injuries to the knee, shoulder, hips, feet, legs, and ankles
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
Physical therapists will work closely with both the patient and his or her physician to create and implement a PT plan. The process often begins with the physical therapist and the doctor reviewing the patient’s medical history and then performing tests that measure factors like the patient’s strength, range of motion, posture, balance, coordination, muscle performance, motor function, and respiration.