Physical Therapy

Your physical therapist and physical therapist assistant, as members of your care team, work closely with your physiatrist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, case manager, nurse and other staff, plus you and your family to meet your needs. Your individual care plan will address your level of impairment, activity level and ability to participate in the community. The primary purpose of physical therapy is to optimize your physical abilities, reduce the effects of disease or injury and prevent further disability.

As you begin your treatment at Marianjoy, your physical therapist will evaluate your status and set goals with you. Then, your physical therapist will establish a care plan that is appropriate for you and your goals. To help you achieve your maximum level of independence, your physical therapist may work with you on any of the following:

• Therapeutic exercise to enhance your endurance and overall function.
• Exercise and hands-on techniques to normalize muscle tone, re-educate muscles and enhance strength and movement in your arms, legs, back and neck.
• Joint handling techniques to reduce pain, enhance movement and improve range of motion.
• Therapeutic activities to improve balance and coordination for safe movement.
• Vestibular rehabilitation to help patients with inner ear problems regain balance, stabilize vision and diminish dizziness.
• Training in the use of adaptive equipment, such as a walker, cane or wheelchair.
• Training in the use of prostheses (artificial limbs) and orthoses (support braces).
• Making supportive devices, such as splints, to return contracted muscles to a relaxed position and prevent further loss of joint motion.
• Extensive education and training for you and your family/caregiver on alternate methods for mobility, either at a wheelchair or walking level, moving safely from one position to another and moving on various surfaces. Your physical therapist will also provide instruction on home exercise programs used while in therapy.

You Want the Best

Services are provided by licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapist assistants with assistance from trained rehabilitation technicians. Our physical therapists are graduates from accredited university physical therapy programs. Therapists are required to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to become licensed.

Our physical therapist assistants are graduates from an accredited two-year physical therapist assistant program. Physical therapist assistants are required to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to become licensed.

Members of Marianjoy’s physical therapy staff are associated with the American Physical Therapy Association and the Illinois Physical Therapy Association.