Ste Genevieve County Memorial Hospital proudly provides Physical Therapy services in partnership with Mid America Rehab. For more information on Mid America Rehab, visit www.midamericarehab.com.

What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is skilled treatment of a vast array of problems that affect movement, function and health.
The cornerstones of physical therapy treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, physical therapists may utilize any of the following treatments:

• Therapeutic Exercise-includes Range of Motion and Strengthening programs.
• Balance and Coordination Training
• Mobilize" or "Manipulate" a joint -perform certain types of joint movements at the end of your range of motion to help reduce pain and restore full movement.
• Massage-promote proper movement and function of a muscle, help reduce swelling, decrease muscle spasms and pain, or help break down scar tissue.
• Ultrasound high frequency sound waves produce heat, resulting in muscle relaxation, decreased inflammation, increased metabolism, and reduction of pain.
• Vibration produced by the sound waves also increases flexibility of joints, ligaments and tendons and helps break down scar tissue.
• Electrical stimulation-aids in strengthening, promotes circulation, decreases pain, decreases edema and maintains or improves mobility.
• Iontophoresis targeted electricity administered medication to help relieve pain/swelling.
• Traction-used to help relieve spinal nerve root impingement resulting from bulging, herniated or protruding discs or muscle spasms.
• Whirlpool increases circulation, promote muscle relaxation, calm sensory nerve endings and aid with healing. Also used to treat open wounds, burns, inflammatory conditions, certain circulatory diseases and peripheral nerve injuries.
• Heat/ice-helps decrease pain and inflammation and improve circulation.
• Prosthetic and Orthotic Training. Physical therapists are able to help individuals learn to live with various medical conditions by helping them learn to move without difficulty or pain.
  

Who Benefits From Physical Therapy?
Physical therapists collaborate with the Occupational Therapists in industrial settings to improve the design of the workplace and reduce the risk of workers overusing certain muscles or developing low back pain or repetitive motion injuries. They also provide services to athletes at all levels to screen for potential problems and institute preventive exercise programs, as well as helping individuals who already know that they have a problem with their joints or their backs develop workouts that are safe and effective.

Because people of all ages, from the newborn to the very aged, have the need to move and function, physical therapists work with patients across the lifespan. Physical therapists at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital work with patients in the hospital, at Riverview at the Park Care and Rehabilitation Center, in the outpatient clinic, in the home health setting and on the job at local businesses.

Common diagnoses treated by physical therapists include:

Many other conditions may benefit from physical therapy treatment. Ask your doctor if you think physical therapy might be right for you.

For more information on Physical Therapy services at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, please call 573-883-9366.