How Rehabilitation Works 

There's a lot that can be done to stay healthy--in body, mind, and spirit as we age.  A balanced diet, daily gentle exercise, adequate sleep, and remaining mentally and emotionally engaged in activities that we're passionate about: all of these are great tips for maintaining vitality throughout our lives. 

But even the healthiest among us experience illness or injury every once in a while. The good news is that there are ways of making a full recovery from even serious illnesses and injuries. Rehabilitation--guided by skilled therapists--provides life-changing treatment and support for millions of individuals, to help with recovery from a disabling injury or illness.

The rehabilitation services offered at Church Home Lifespring are extremely effective in helping to recover after a long hospital stay. Whether you or a loved one are recovering from a stroke, joint replacement surgery, injuries from a fall, or another medical event, our highly trained staff of rehabilitation professionals can help them overcome the obstacles associated with their illness or injury. The result of successful rehabilitation is improved physical and mental functioning, and enhanced quality of life.    

To best serve the needs of our clients, we have rehabilitation experts on staff which include physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. And now you might be wondering: What's the difference between physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupation therapy? Keep reading for an introduction to each of these powerful rehabilitation modalities.

What Is Physical Therapy & What Does A Physical Therapist Do

Physical therapy uses specially designed exercises (based upon the unique needs of the individual) and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities. A physical therapist helps the patient engage in exercises designed specifically to relieve pain, improve mobility, and restore physical function. Physical therapy rehabilitation exercises can improve flexibility, endurance, strength, coordination, and balance. They can also prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities in people recovering from an injury or illness. Skilled physical therapy can resolve the effects of injury or illness before it becomes a chronic condition.

Conditions that are frequently evaluated and treated by physical therapist include: fractures and other physical injuries; low-back and hip pain; arthritis; cerebral palsy; carpal-tunnel syndrome; TMJ disorders; rotator cuff strains and tears; neurological conditions such as stroke and Parkinson's Disease; and heart disease.  

What Is Speech Therapy & What Does A Speech Therapist Do

Speech therapy--as its name implies--addresses problems with speech, as well as with hearing, communication, voice and swallowing. There are a variety of conditions that can result in speech-related problems, for instance: stroke, hearing loss, brain deterioration, or mental retardation. A speech therapist evaluates the condition, and then supports the patient in doing exercises that help to resolve it.

Speech therapists can help a person make sounds and pronounce words. They can also help with pitch control. For those who are hearing impaired, a speech therapist might teach them sign language, as a way to better communicate with others.  

What Is Occupational Therapy & What Does an Occupational Therapist Do

Occupational therapy supports a patient in reintegrating into their daily life activities--and living independent, productive, and satisfying lives--during and after recovery from an injury or illness. An occupational therapist helps a person set goals that will allow them to gradually recover basic self-care functions such as eating, getting dressed, and using the bathroom. Exercises are used to improve balance, coordination, and dexterity, and to enhance fine motor skills. The overall intention of occupational therapy is to improve the quality of life of the person recovering from an injury or illness--so that they can resume participation in the activities and lifestyle that they most enjoy.   

Rehabilitation Is Worthwhile! 

Making a full recovery from an injury or illness can be a rather complicated process. Working with a team of expert rehabilitation professionals--physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists--maximizes the chances of you or your loved one making a full recovery: regaining physical and mental function and resuming all the activities of independent daily living.  

Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, or to schedule a time to meet in person with our team of rehabilitation professionals.