Across the country, the third week of September is heralded as National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. This week provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the types of rehabilitation that can improve and transform the lives of individuals recovering from disabling injuries and illnesses, such as stroke, broken bones, muscle sprains, respiratory disease, cancer, joint replacement, and many others.
SVMC’s rehabilitation team consists of 40 therapists located at the hospital as well as the Northshire, Deerfield Valley, Twin Rivers, and SVMC Orthopedic offices. The available therapists (differs by location) include:
- Occupational therapists, who generally helps individuals perform daily activities and improve their quality of life
- Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, who focus on improving movement and physical function
- Speech-language pathologists, who specialize in communication and swallowing disorders
These practitioners provide a range of specialized therapies (see below) that play a critical role in promoting independence, enhancing quality of life, and restoring overall well-being.
SVMC's rehabilitation services
Services offered by SVMC’s rehabilitation team include:
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Certified hand therapy
- Certified lymphedema services
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- LSVT Big therapy
- LSVT Loud therapy
- Outpatient rehabilitation
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Post-concussion therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Vertigo and vestibular therapy
- Video fluoroscopies (swallowing studies)
Who benefits from rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is for people of all ages with a wide range of needs. Here’s a look at just a few of the conditions that benefit from different types of therapy. In some cases, patients benefit from multiple different types of therapy.
Here are what just a few of the thousands of people who have benefited from rehabilitation through SVMC have to say about the experience:
“My experience with PT was most helpful and effective. The exercises do help and Glenn’s [Glenn Chaney, physical therapist] understanding and expertise encouraged me to expect continued improvement.”
“My occupational therapist helped with both improving my ability to do routing activities and my mobility, stamina, and range of motion (for me). She was great! She also gave me ideas of garments and equipment to aid in restoration.”
“I have received past treatments for hip replacement and broken ankle. In all three programs, my care was careful, consistent & motivating.”
“I have had total confidence in the professionalism of the staff. To me they represent a perfect balance of care & watchfulness with motivation & challenged. Excellent communication skills.”
If you’d like to learn more about how rehabilitation may benefit you or a loved one, speak to yours or the individual’s primary care provider or specialist. They can provide a referral to SVMC’s Rehabilitation.
Michaelia St. Jacques, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT, is the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.