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A physiatrist (fizz ee at' trist) is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists treat a wide range of problems. Physiatrists, or rehabilitation medicine physicians, are medical doctors who are:

• Restore maximum function lost through injury, illness or disabling conditions
• Treat the whole person, not just the problem area
• Lead a team of medical professionals
• Provide non-surgical treatments
• Explain your medical problems and treatment plan
• Work not only on treatment but also prevention

Their goal is to enhance performance without surgery. Rehabilitation physicians take the time needed to accurately diagnose and then design a treatment plan that can be carried out by the patients themselves or with the help of the medical team. Our team includes:

• Your physician
• Neurologists
• Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists
• Case Manager
• Orthotists and Prosthetists

A neurologist is a medical doctor or osteopath who has trained in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders, including diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. Neurologists perform neurological examinations of the nerves of the head and neck; muscle strength and movement; balance, ambulation, and reflexes; and sensation, memory, speech, language, and other cognitive abilities.

Occupational therapists work with individuals to develop or relearn the skills needed to perform everyday activities of daily living (ADLs). These skills include the physical, cognitive, and visual-perceptual abilities to perform self-care and home management. Occupational Therapists work with individuals in:

• Neuromuscular re-education and strengthening
• Cognitive skills development
• Adaptive equipment or methods for ADLs
• Visual-perceptual skills
• Pre-driving clinical evaluation
• Community re-entry
• Wheelchair evaluations
• Upper extremity skills – use of arm, hand and fingers in activities

Occupational therapy can be very beneficial when symptoms make it difficult for you to perform:

• Activities of daily living – Self-feeding, dressing, bathing, grooming, and toileting
• Home management tasks – Meal prep/cooking, cleaning, laundry
• Work-related tasks – Due to cognitive issues, fatigue, or physical impairment, such as decreased hand function

Physical therapists use a variety of modalities, exercise and equipment to restore function, improve mobility, increase flexibility, strength and endurance and promote a return to the highest level of activity possible. Individualized treatment plans address strength and flexibility, pain relief, functional mobility, balance and endurance. Focus is to improve normal movement patterns and return individuals to home, work and community as safely and quickly as possible. Physical therapists work with patients and their caregivers, to design home exercise programs and give instructions to continue the improvements achieved through physical therapy.

Our physical therapists have expertise in:

• Neuromuscular rehabilitation
• Physical therapy for incontinence and pelvic pain
• Balance and Vestibular Therapy

Speech-Language Pathologists (also known as speech therapists) treats patients with communication limitations, swallowing disorders, cognitive disorders (memory, problem-solving and other skills). The NeuroRehab and Balance Center Speech Pathologists demonstrate:

• Staff expertise in:
  • stroke, brain injury, neurological disorders
    (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Guillain Barre syndrome).
  • Bells Palsy Treatment
  • LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Therapy) for Parkinson's patients
• Expert comprehensive evaluation and device selection for alternative communication devices.
• Specialized approach to swallowing disorders, evaluation and treatment. This includes use of Vital Stim (electrical stimulation for swallowing), Videofluoroscopies - Modified Barium Swallow and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) studies.

Our therapists take individualized approaches to treatment focusing on strategies for success in daily living and return to previous responsibilities at home and work.

Our case manger is a nurse and social worker by background and is instrumental in assisting you to meet your therapy goals. Our case manager may assist you by coordinating the following:

• Family training sessions with therapists
• Coordinating referrals with other physicians for specialized care
• Coordinating care conferences so team members are all able to focus on your treatment and work together to set treatment plans and goals
• Provide family counseling for you so you can focus on recovery
• Assisting you in completing applications for programs such as
• Project Mobility – should you have transportation needs
• Prescription Assistance – ease the burden with prescriptions & Drug Companies
• Respite Care – for those in need of a break from the routines of care

Our overall team will assist in problem solving so that all of your needs are met through the NeuroRehab and Balance Center.