Patient Information Guide - Baptist Memorial Online

Physical therapy- Your physical therapist develops a plan to help you meet yourrehabilitation goals and achieve the highest level of mobility and independencepossible. Therapists with special certifications in orthopedics; sports medicine;brain injury rehabilitation; and the treatment of neurological disorders, includingneurological developmental training (functional training that encouragesnormalized movement and use of affected extremities), also help provide expertcare to patients. Physical therapy includes a number of treatments and techniquesdesigned to:■ Restore muscle strength■ Evaluate functional mobility skills such as walking and maintaining properbalance■ Develop individualized exercise programs to improve balance and movement,wheelchair function, standing, walking and other functional activities■ Relieve pain■ Teach correct posture■ Teach proper use of prosthetic, orthotic and ambulation devicesSpeech therapy- Speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat your ability tocommunicate, swallow, think clearly and problem-solve. Goals of speech therapyinclude:■ Evaluating the type and severity of speech, language and voice difficulties thatmay affect communication■ Designing a program to facilitate the return of communication skills, includingreading and writing■ Treating swallowing and chewing disorders using technology such as VitalStim(designed to stimulate patients to swallow)■ Treating speech and language difficulties using technology such as Lingraphica(a speech-generating device to help those with aphasia or difficulty using orcomprehending words)■ Educating patients and families in adaptive swallowing and communicationtechniquesOccupational therapy- Your occupational therapist employs a variety of therapeuticactivities to improve or restore your ability to perform functional tasks.These therapists also hold additional certification in neurodevelopmental train-6 901-757-1350 • germantown.baptistonline.org