Rehabilitation Services

VWCH offers comprehensive rehabilitation services at multiple locations to meet
the needs of the physicians and patients we serve. Our Clinics have state of the art equipment
in order to provide screenings, evaluations, treatments and patient/family education.

We also offer Aquatic Physical Therapy Treatments at the Plano YMCA.

Valley West Community Hospital Rehabilitative Service Locations:

Therapy Treatment

Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech/Language Pathology (SLP), offer treatment options for patients with a wide variety of diagnoses including:

• Arthritis
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders
• Laryngectomy
• Neurological Diseases & Injuries
• Orthopedic & Sports Injuries
• Pediatric Developmental Delay & Physical Impairments
• Speech & Voice Disorders
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Upper Extremity Orthopedic & Soft Tissue Injuries
• Work Conditioning
• Wounds, Burns & Diabetic Ulcers

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy is a dynamic profession with a theoretical and scientific base with clinical applications in the restoration, maintenance and promotion of optimal physical function. Physical Therapy can:

• Evaluate and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities.
• Restore and maintain physical function; promote optimal wellness and fitness that may result from illness and injury.
• Prevent the onset, symptoms and progression of impairments that may result from illness and injury.

Physical Therapy Services:

• Evaluation & Treatment
• Modalities
• Joint Mobilization
• Open & Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise
• Proprioceptive Training
• Gait Training
• Muscle Re-Education
• Wound Care
• Women’s Health Issues/Pelvic Pain

Occupational Therapy

VWCH Occupational Therapy is a rehabilitation profession that helps adults and children achieve independence in their lives despite a limitation due to illness or injury.

• Customized treatment programs aimed at improving abilities to carry out activities of daily living
• Evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal and neurological injuries to the upper extremity and hand
• Comprehensive evaluation of activities in the home and job environments with recommendations on necessary adaptations
• Assessment of and treatment for work performance skills
• Recommendations and training I the use of adaptive equipment to replace loss of function 

Who Provides Occupational Therapy?

An Occupational Therapist (OTR) is a trained healthcare professional. They hold a Bachelors or Masters Degree and completion of a clinical internship under experienced therapists. Occupational Therapists are certified by successful completion of a national examination and are also licensed by the State of Illinois. 

The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) has an Associate Degree from a qualified program and has completed a designated number of hours in a clinical internship under qualified personnel. COTAs must pass a national certification examination and be licensed by the State of Illinois. 

Which problems respond to Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is often recommended for adults or children with the following conditions:

• Strokes
• Tendonitis
• Amputations
• Fractures
• Joint Replacement
• Nerve Injuries
• Arthritis
• Wounds
• Burns
• Sports Injuries
• Learning Disabilities
• Sensory Motor Dysfunction
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Developmental Disabilities
• Neurological Diseases
• Conditions that involve the nerves, tendons and muscles of the arm or hand
• Cognitive-Perceptual Dysfunction 

Speech/Language Pathology

Speech/Language Pathology is the application of non-medical methods and procedures for the identification, measurement testing, appraisal, rehabilitation and modification related to communication development, and disorders or disabilities of language, voice, swallowing and other speech, language and voice related disorders. SLP offers:

• Video Fluoroscopy to evaluate swallowing disorders
• Ongoing treatment for articulation disorders
• Language disorders resulting from traumatic brain injury and cognitive or neurological dysfunction

Services Include:

• Evaluation & Treatment
• Video Fluoroscopy
• Dysphagia Training
• Cognitive Re-training
• Patient & Family Education

Specialized Hand Therapy Services

VWCH offers comprehensive rehabilitation for hands. Hand therapy following surgery or a trauma has become an important area of specialization. The surgical procedures and therapeutic techniques have become increasingly sophisticated. The hand is an essential and complex tool of accomplishment in our every day domestic, work and leisure activities.

Certified Hand Therapists have advanced skills and have passed an examination for certification in hand therapy. A minimum of five years of clinical experience and additional training are prerequisites to taking the examination. They provide:

• Customized treatment programs aimed at improving abilities to carry out activities of daily living
• Comprehensive evaluation of home and job environments and recommendation on necessary adaptations
• Assessment of and treatment for work performance skills
• Recommendations and training in the use of adaptive equipment to replace loss of function 

Therapeutic Approach
The evaluation and assessment of the hand includes:

• Completion of an extensive history
• Evaluation of pain
• Physical examination
• Assessing wounds scar assessment
• Vascular assessment
• Edema
• Range of motion
• Grip and pinch
• Manual muscle testing
• Sensation
• Dexterity and hand function
• Splinting needs

Once the assessment is complete, isolated exercise, purposeful activity and therapeutic application related to the individuals occupation and daily living activities are applied to achieve positive functional outcomes. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Therapy

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a neurological disorder that is caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist.

Symptoms include:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Pain
• Decreased hand strength
• Difficulty manipulating objects

Early diagnosis is important. It facilitates getting relief sooner, minimizing the possibility of permanent nerve damage, discomfort and disability.

What is a non-surgical approach?
After diagnosis, non-surgical therapy can often significantly benefit those with CTS. Your physician may choose to treat CTS conservatively.

A referral to Occupational Therapy can provide:

• Ergonomics education
• Splinting
• Specific modalities related to your symptoms
• Therapeutic exercise
• Pain & edema management 

What if surgery is recommended?

The Occupational Therapist at Valley West Community Hospital provides a comprehensive post-surgical rehabilitation program that includes:

• Wound care
• Edema management
• Education—including ergonomics
• Sensory re-education
• Therapeutic exercise:
  • Range of motion
  • Tendon & nerve gliding
  • Strengthening
  • Return to work programs
  • Modalities specific to your post-surgical needs 

Pediatric Specialty Services

VWCH Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech/Language Pathology (SLP), offer treatment options for children of all ages, who because of their conditions , need specialized assistance in learning, motor or physical development to lead independent, productive and satisfying lives.

Our therapists work closely with the educational and school programs prescribed for the children and can supplement these programs where appropriate.

In the case of an injury or trauma, our pediatric specialty team can work with the family directly to reduce the time a child is out of school and/or work directly with school personnel to integrate the child back into school as quickly as possible. We also provide special accommodations, if appropriate or necessary.

Areas of Expertise

The following are some of the conditions our rehabilitation team can address:

• Pediatric developmental delay
• Physical impairments
• Sensory integrative disorders
• Autism
• Mental retardation
• Traumatic brain injury
• Sports injuries
• Upper extremity and hand injuries
• Orthopedic and soft tissue injuries
• Speech and voice disorders
• Swallowing disorders
• Dysphasia
• Cognitive disorders

If you have any pediatric care needs, please call and talk with one of our staff.