October is National Physical Therapy Month

posted on: 10/30/2018 9:42:01 AM

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a special opportunity to recognize our physical therapy team for their hard work and dedication to restoring our patient’s function and keeping them moving.

On a daily basis, our staff goes above and beyond to improve the quality of life of individuals by encouraging and motivating patients to achieve their greatest functional abilities. Our therapists work hard each and every day to deliver the upmost care to their patients. The physical therapy team at Lima Memorial consistently demonstrates quality care in a family atmosphere. I would encourage you to please take a moment to specially thank a physical therapist for their devotion to helping improve the lives of many individuals in the hospital and outpatient settings.  

One thing that really sets our Physical Therapy Department apart is the emphasis towards staying and remaining current with the overall practice of physical therapy. Our therapy staff routinely pursues educational opportunities in order to learn the newest and best modes of treatment for our patients. This is evident by two different programs offered at the Wellness Center, where Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy take place:  the Postural Restoration Institute® approach to physical therapy and the Uro-Wellness Program.

The Postural Restoration Institute®approach to physical therapy is a unique and holistic approach to treatment of dysfunction and pathology of the human body, which distinguishes our physical therapy program from that of any other in the region. Its core values focus on postural dysfunction and how asymmetries play a role in pain and dysfunction in our lives. Treatments using this approach are one-on-one with the patient and are completely specific to that patient’s asymmetrical postural needs. Most people live with asymmetrical posture. It is our Postural Restoration Institute® approach that will work to eliminate these asymmetries in order to reposition a patient, retrain their muscles for alternating and reciprocal function and restore the patients overall function. For more information about the Postural Restoration Institute® philosophy, please log on to www.posturalrestoration.com, or contact the Wellness Center at 419-226-5075.

Another unique service offered at the Wellness Center is the Uro-Wellness program, often known as Women’s Health. Interestingly enough, this service is not only specific to females but can extend to improve overall function in males as well. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Rehabilitation provides treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), which can affect both women and men of all ages.  It includes treatment of a wide range of problems, including urinary and fecal incontinence, urgency and frequency of urination and pain in the pelvic region. Pelvic pain may include pain in the pelvic floor, tailbone / buttock area, lower abdomen, vagina, rectum, penis or testicles. The pelvic floor muscles help to control our bladder and bowel, provide support to abdominal and pelvic organs, aid in sexual activity and assist in postural alignment. These muscles can become weak, tight or go into spasm and are unable to function properly, often leading to pain and / or loss of function. This muscle dysfunction could be due to disuse, trauma, surgery, childbirth, chronic low back or sacroiliac (SI) dysfunction or insidious onset with no apparent cause. 

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is completed by a physical therapist who is specially trained in the evaluation and treatment of PFD and its many contributing factors, all in a sensitive and caring manner. The evaluation is holistic and a typical assessment includes testing for strength, flexibility, posture and the condition of both internal and external pelvic floor muscles. The plan of care is individualized to each patient with consideration of the patient's goals and the findings of the evaluation. Treatment includes internal and external manual therapy techniques, relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing techniques, manual therapy for SI dysfunction and the development of an individualized home exercise and self-management program.

Postural Restoration and the Uro-Wellness programs are just two examples of the many specific programs being offered at the Wellness Center. In addition to these services, the physical therapy team also evaluates and treats patients who have been recently hospitalized. One of the many goals of an inpatient physical therapist is to initiate a mobilization program tailored to help return a patient home at an independent level. Inpatient therapists also work on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit which focusses on more aggressive therapy delivery, preparing a patient to return home independently. No matter the setting, our physical therapy team is highly trained and skilled to deliver specific treatment with an even more specific goal, whether it is improving strength, improving function, restoring independence or helping return a patient home. 

With October being National Physical Therapy Month, please thank our physical therapists for their dedication and service and for helping make a positive impact one patient at a time.

Tony Rampulla, DPT, CSCS
Nancy Siatkosky PT, DPT
Alex Maag DPT, PRC
Lima Memorial Health System