A Team Approach
Physical Therapy
Riverside's physical therapy program allows people to reach their maximum
physical potential using exercise, manual therapy, modalities (such as ice,
heat and electrical stimulation), and patient education. Patients work together
with clinicians as a team to help them reach their specific rehabilitation
goals. Physical therapy improves function and relieves pain.
Orthopedic and sports injuries, work injuries, neurological disorders, traumas,
wounds, chronic pain, and sprains and strains are commonly treated through
physical therapy. Riverside's physical therapists also work within the community
by giving health and safety presentations at area schools, businesses and
local service organizations.
Occupational Therapy
Our occupational therapy program improves range of motion, strength, coordination
and sensation of upper extremities. Instruction or retraining of " Activities
of Daily Living" is available to help patients remain independent and
overcome difficulties in performing everyday tasks that can result from an
illness or injury. A home safety evaluation can also be performed to determine
changes and adaptive equipment that help patients maintain independence.
Occupational therapy is common for the treatment of injuries to the upper
extremities, strokes, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, neurological disorders, cognitive
deficits, and hand/wrist traumas. Our OT department works with area employers
to treat work injuries, evaluate work sites, and provide safety and educational
inservices.
Speech Therapy
Riverside offers a speech therapy program for adult and pediatric patients with deficits in speech, articulation, language, voice, and swallowing resulting from brain injuries, strokes, and other neurological and auditory processing disorders. A licensed speech pathologist, certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association, evaluates patients referred by their physicians and creates an individualized treatment plan to help them reach their communication goals.
Social Services
Social services are available to coordinate support services
and provide assistance to the family. A social worker is available for an
in-home consultation.
Specialized Programs
Aquatic Therapy
Physical therapy is performed in the water at our Mount
Pocono facility. The buoyancy of water supports body weight and decreases
stress on joints. The warm water temperature (88 - 90 degrees) reduces muscle
spasms and increases circulation, thereby permitting exercises not tolerated
on land. Aquatic therapy is ideal for treating many types of patients: post orthopedic
surgery, arthritis, sports injuries, strokes, fibromyalgia, chronic pain,
back pain, and acute sprains and strains.
Work
Injury Program
Riverside's work injury program includes functional capacity evaluations,
job simulation, treatment programs and patient education. Riverside is committed
to the injured employee, the employer and the payer, to provide a quality,
outcome-oriented rehabilitation service. This service is a comprehensive,
team driven program to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured
employee. The program is individualized to meet the needs of each client with
an overall goal of functional restoration and return to work. Special attention
is paid to prevention of injury through a proactive participation of team
members. Emphasis is placed on education of the patient's diagnosis, posture,
body mechanics, ergonomic assessments and stress management.
Osteoporosis Program
Our osteoporosis program is specifically designed for anyone with osteopenia
or osteoporosis. It combines
progressive exercises with education on body mechanics, posture, activities
of daily living, breathing, and home safety. The results are small changes
to the posture and alignment that have a big impact on the lives of people
with osteoporosis. The benefits include: improved posture, improved breathing,
increased range of motion, decreased pain, improved elimination, improved
balance, better body mechanics, improved ability to perform daily activities,
improved home safety, and a better quality if life.
Fitness Program for Discharged Patients
Physical therapy patients who have completed their therapy at Riverside have
access to our equipment and can exercise independently during business hours
for a nominal monthly fee. Upon entering the program, a clinical staff member
conducts an assessment and designs a program to meet the fitness needs of
each individual. Members can then come in at their convenience and work out.
Many former patients use the program to perform their "home exercises"
because they are familiar with the facility and are not as self-disciplined
at home. If a member's program needs to be updated or they have questions,
staff members are available to help them.