Similar to the inpatient team, the outpatient program employs a talented staff of physical therapists that are uniquely qualified to evaluate, consult, educate, and provide therapies for individuals with a wide range of physical limitations.

The primary goals of physical therapy are to improve:

• Strength
• Endurance
• Mobility
• Function
• Pain relief

In our neuro rehabilitative program, our goal in physical therapy is to return you to the highest level of physical function possible for independent community living through a comprehensive and goal- directed program.  The neuro PT team will assess and treat any difficulties you may have, including mobility, strength, tone, endurance, balance, and coordination.  You will also receive education regarding your acquired physical disability and the necessary interventions and assistive devices required to maximize your functional independence.  You will be provided a progressive home exercise program to maintain and continue your progress at home.

In our orthopaedic program, we offer a comprehensive approach to evaluate and treat pain and functional impairment caused by trauma, surgery, sports, burns, de-conditioning, over-use, and falls.  Using a “hands-on” approach, your physical therapist will direct you along your road to recovery to maximize your functional potential.

At ECMC, our occupational therapists use goal-directed activities to evaluate and treat the daily living skills needed for you to fully function in your home, work, and community.

Some of the daily skills practiced in occupational therapy can include:

• Self-care
• Home Management
• Work Management
• Functional mobility
• Leisure pursuits

The primary goals are to improve a patient’s participation in daily life activities.  To achieve this, OTs work to facilitate changes while considering:

• Body functions
• Body structures
• Values
• Beliefs
• Motor skills
• Processing
• Social interaction

Our occupational therapists can also provide skilled recommendations on equipment needs and home modifications, and help you to develop strategies to compensate for permanent loss of function.

The occupational therapist will assist you to improve your physical, visual-perceptual, and cognitive impairments that may be interfering with your ability to complete your daily living tasks.  If necessary, you may be taught new techniques to manage your self-care activities, such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and eating.  Outpatient Therapy will focus on refining the quality and ability to perform these basic self-care activities and also address your ability to perform the higher level tasks required to fully engage in your community environment, such as meal preparation, bill paying, grocery shopping, driving, and leisure pursuits.

ECMC’s Speech Pathology service provides full evaluation and treatment for patients experiencing communication difficulties related to:

• Language
• Thought
• Voice
• Speech

For patients who have suffered a brain injury or stroke, the first goal of speech therapy is to find a way to communicate basic needs.  A speech pathologist assists in overcoming problems with speaking, understanding or expressing ideas, and will assist you in improving memory, concentration, and problem solving.

Our speech pathology team also provides services in the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing difficulties.  The swallowing rehab therapist will recommend which food textures are safest to swallow during your ongoing recovery, and offer techniques for effortless, safe swallowing, and oral nutrition.

Additionally, those with hearing loss may receive services to improve communication with their families and significant others.

Our rehabilitation program for amputees provides specialized, interdisciplinary services for patients with upper or lower extremity limb loss. Our program includes individualized pre-prosthetic and prosthetic training to ensure that the extremity is incorporated into all daily activities. The team includes a physician, prosthetist, and physical and occupational therapists.

Our driver evaluation program determines an individual’s ability to begin or resume driving, taking into consideration a person’s physical, cognitive, or visual deficits. This evaluation consists of an in-clinic and behind-the-wheel evaluation performed by an occupational therapist who has advanced training in driver rehabilitation.  The therapist will make a recommendation on driving performance, including any adaptive driving equipment or training that may be necessary.

Our occupational therapists specializing in hand therapy use a combination of treatment methods including splinting, therapeutic exercise, and patient education to address the functional impairments related, but not limited to, fractures, tendon repairs, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis.

Spinal cord rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary program designed to complete the continuum of care from the hospital to home.  This program focuses on maximizing the individual’s strength and endurance, defining wheelchair and equipment needs, helping patients re-enter the community, and exploring opportunities for vocational/avocational pursuits.

Outpatient Occupational Therapists are trained in use of the SaeboFlex and SaeboReach devices as well as several unique Saebo products. The Saebo products can provide a biomechanical advantage that provides some individuals suffering from neurological impairments, such as stroke or head injuries, to incorporate their arm and hand in their therapy and home program more consistently and with greater engagement than routine neuro rehab techniques alone.

IM is an evidence-based assessment and treatment tool used by OT, PT, and Speech Therapists that improves cognitive and motor skills. IM is used to improve attention, coordination, language processing, and control of impulsivity/aggression.

Vestibular Rehabilitation is a specialized form of therapy intended to evaluate and treat dizziness, vertigo, and disequilibrium. It alleviates both the primary (vertigo, dizziness, visual disturbance, and/or imbalance) and secondary problems (nausea and/or vomiting, reduced ability to focus or concentrate, and fatigue) caused by these disorders.

CI (CIT or CIMT) Movement Therapy is a form of rehabilitation therapy that improves upper extremity function in people that have suffered a stroke or other central nervous system damage by increasing the use of their affected arm. Modified CIMT programs have been administered in outpatient clinical environments, and have enjoyed high success rates internationally.