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Painful joints often make exercise difficult. The warmth and buoyancy of a therapy pool allows a gentler way to exercise and may even relieve your pain. The water provides resistance that will increase your strength while supporting your body. The pool temperature is maintained at 94 degrees and is accessible to therapy patients. Individual therapy in a water environment can allow for decreased pain and improved movement.

One pool therapy option is the Ai Chi class. Ai Chi is a pool exercise designed to imitate Tai Chi in the water. Tai Chi is a slow motion exercise program that is a form of Martial Arts. Slow movements are done in harmony with the breath, resulting in relaxation while stretching and strengthening. Improved balance, range of motion and mobility can be achieved with this class. Experienced exercise specialists teach classes specifically designed for arthritis and back pain as well as fitness classes to allow you to continue your program when you are discharged from therapy.

Occupational Therapists can work with people who are experiencing a loss of independence because of visual impairments. The therapist working with a referral from a physician, ophthalmologist or optometrist can perform a home visit to assess for modifications to maintain safety and independence. Other common daily tasks to be worked on include dressing, grooming, eating, meal preparation, homemaking and money management.

Lymphedema therapy helps decrease the frequency and severity of swelling (lymphedema) that may be caused by surgical removal, injury to or radiation therapy of lymph nodes. It is a hands-on treatment used to improve the function of the lymphatic system. Patient education and self care are cornerstones of lymphedema therapy along with compression bandaging, exercise and manual lymph drainage.

We are equipped with a variety of treatments that compliment your therapy and goals of decreased pain and improved movement. These treatments include:

• Ultrasound
• Electrical stimulation
• Biofeedback
• Infra-red light therapy
• Heat and cryo therapy
• Fluidotherapy
• Traction
• Hybresis

We work as a team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists to meet the needs of people who have neurological issues. This multi-disciplinary approach provides our patients with individualized and comprehensive treatment they need to reach their goals. Some of the diagnoses we treat may include:

• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis

Approximately 10 million Americans may have osteoporosis, or thinning of bone tissue. Women over the age of 50 years are the most likely to get osteoporosis. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you may have noticed symptoms such as bone pain, fractures without trauma, and/or loss of height. Our physical therapists can actually help patients regain height on the first visit through posture education, stretching, and strengthening. Exercise and new, more comfortable bracing options can lead to long-term changes in posture and increased bone density.

Pelvic pain and/or incontinence can affect a number of women and men. The pain or dysfunction may relate to the muscles or joints in the pelvic area. A physical therapist with specialized training in pelvic physical therapy can evaluate your symptoms and develop a treatment program to address your problems.

Assessment and treatment may include:

• Internal exam
• Computerized Biofeedback
• Electrical Stimulation
• Bladder retraining
• Pelvic floor muscle retraining
• Ultrasound
• Manual therapy
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Scar tissue massage
• Patient education
• Therapeutic exercise, including abdominal strengthening and back stabilization
• Postural retraining

Pilates emphasizes controlled movements requiring the use the deep abdominal muscles, buttock muscles and muscles around the spine. Many Pilates exercises are performed lying down on the reformer or mat. There is a gentle progression from non-weight-bearing to full weight-bearing activities.

The Pilates Reformer utilizes spring tension to improve the postural system. Benefits of Pilates-Based Rehabilitation are:

• Increases core strength and stability
• Improves posture
• Improves balance and coordination
• Balances strength and flexibility
• Heightens body awareness
• No impact, easy on the joints

Pilates-Based Rehabilitation can benefit injuries and disorders including:

• Chronic neck and lower back pain
• Total knee/hip replacements
• Scoliosis
• Sciatica
• Shoulder impingement/tendonitis
• Hip pain/bursitis
• Ankle injury
• Fibromyalgia

The outpatient therapists are experienced in treating patients in the acute care and transitional care settings. The therapists frequently communicate with the physicians and nurses to manage your recovery. A variety of treatment options are available including a full service exercise gym, pool based therapy, manual therapy and modalities to help you get back to living!

Conditions treated may include:

• Total Joint Replacement
• Spine fusion
• ACL repair
• Rotator cuff
• Arthroscopic surgeries

The Saebo is a splint that was developed for stroke rehabilitation. It is designed to help improve your ability to use a weak arm. If appropriate, the treatment will be used during therapy sessions and the home program. Our Occupational Therapist has been specifically trained to assess your affected arm for use of the Saebo. Visit saebo.com.

When you speak, the air from your lungs blows through your vocal cords to make the sound of your voice. The shape of your throat, mouth and nose determines the quality of your voice. The movements you make with your tongue and palate also influence it. Your tongue, teeth, and lips form the sounds of the consonants and vowels, also called articulation. Any of these areas may be affected by an illness or injury. Speech therapy can assist in evaluating and treating these.

Our outpatient physical therapy team is experienced in treating numerous spinal disorders. We treat back pain with a multi-faceted approach including:

• therapeutic exercise for core/spinal stabilization, spinal range of motion and flexibility using Pilates-based and traditional rehabilitation principles
• body mechanics education and practice including training for proper movement patterns
• manual therapy techniques and modalities for management of pain and muscle spasm
• mechanical traction table

Conditions treated include:

You use your voice to interact with the world. Your voice can become hoarse, too breathy, or too soft because of illness or injury. Teachers, ministers, and singers often experience these symptoms because of overuse. After consultation with your physician, Speech-Language Pathologists at Longmont United Hospital can teach you techniques and exercises to help improve your voice quality.

Lee Silverman Voice Training (LSVT) is an innovative and clinically proven method for improving voice and speech in people with Parkinson’s disease. It can also help with other neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cerebellar ataxia, and stroke. All of our Speech-Language Pathologists are certified in LSVT and experienced in a wide variety of other treatment approaches.