specialty services
In addition to our general outpatient orthopedic physical therapy services, we offer highly specialized services including pelvic floor rehabilitation, breast cancer rehabilitation, and dry needling.
pelvic floor physical therapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized therapy that addresses dysfunctions in the pelvis that contribute to bladder, bowel, sexual health and pain complaints. Treatment may include behavioral strategies, manual therapies, therapeutic exercise, education and functional re-training.
Did you know that 1 in 4 people will suffer with a pelvic floor disorder during their lifetime. You no longer need to suffer in silence with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic pain or pelvic prolapse. While these conditions are common, they are not normal. Pelvic floor physical therapy is an effective treatment option that can provide you relief. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
breast cancer rehabilitation
Breast cancer rehabilitation is a subset of physical therapy delivered by a physical therapist who has received specialty training to care for patients who are planning to undergo or have already undergone treatment for breast cancer. A patient who is seen prior to surgery for breast cancer removal will have baseline measurements taken for post-surgical comparison purposes and will receive education on ways to reduce their risk of developing swelling (lymphedema and/or seroma), as well as exercises to implement post-surgically to promote lymphatic vessel regeneration and improve mobility of the chest wall and upper extremities in a safe and effective manner. A breast cancer rehabilitation specialist also provides relief for patients who may be suffering from some common aftereffects of breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. These include, but are not limited to: swelling of an arm or breast due to removal of lymph nodes or damage caused to the lymph system following radiation therapy (lymphedema), swelling of the breast or chest wall due to a pocket of fluid (seroma), tight bands that form in the armpit following lymph node removal (axillary cording/axillary web syndrome), chest wall tightness, pain due to encapsulated implants, radiation fibrosis, fatigue from chemotherapy or radiation, deconditioning from chemotherapy or radiation, decreased upper extremity range of motion, upper back and neck pain, incisional pain, and adhesions from surgical procedures related to the treatment of breast cancer.
A breast cancer physical therapist plays an integral role in post-operative pain control, restoring posture and function with all activities of daily living, regaining upper extremity and chest wall mobility, and improving lymphatic return through a variety of manual treatment techniques, targeted exercises, and patient education. A breast cancer rehabilitation specialist should also have additional training as a certified lymphedema therapist, with the most-highly trained earning their certification through the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA-CLT). The gold standard for the treatment of lymphedema, or chronic swelling, is complete decongestive therapy, which includes: manual lymphatic drainage, consistent compression alternative/garment use, remedial exercises, good skin and nail care, and self-care management. A certified lymphedema therapist will use complete decongestive therapy to not only reduce their patient’s swelling, but will also teach their patients how to control and manage this chronic condition independently. This is achieved by using a variety of different tools and tailoring each of their patient’s “tool boxes” with items best suited for each patient’s individual needs. A certified lymphedema therapist is able to provide education on appropriate compression garments and compression alternatives, as well as measuring for and fitting of patients for custom or off-the-shelf compression garment needs.
dry needling
Dry needling is a skilled and highly effective technique in which a thin needle is used to penetrate the skin and release trigger points to decrease tension in the muscle. As a result, you will experience increased blood flow and reduced muscle tension leading to decreased pain, increased ROM and strength and improved function.
Dry needling can help to restore motion and function, reduce muscle tension, desensitize supersensitive structures and help with pain control.
Dry needling is effective in treating muscle tension / spasm, scar tissue restrictions and musculoskeletal pain. Conditions that could benefit from dry needling, but are not limited to:
Adhesive capsulitis
Tennis elbow
Plantar fasciitis
Sciatica
IT Band Syndrome
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Low back pain
Tension headaches
Sports injuries
Muscle spasms
pilates reformer
Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on development of core strength and stability to improve functional movement. The versatility of the Pilates reformer allows for a safe exercise program that can be incorporated into a rehabilitation program to promote proper postures, strength, flexibility and balance.