Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
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A spinal cord injury often results in a
loss of ability to move and/or feel. The spinal cord does not have to be
completely severed for loss to occur. Approximately 7,800 new spinal
cord injuries occur each year in the United States.
The Rehabilitation Center offers services to people who have had a
spinal cord injury to assure they are able to return to their highest
possible level of independence.
Program Services include:
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Experts in the area of rehabilitation who understand how to help a
patient return to an active life.
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Rehabilitation starts in the acute care setting with therapists who work
with the patient and family.
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A continuum of care follows the patient from the acute stay until he or
she is ready for discharge home with recommendations for the appropriate
follow-up services.
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The involvement of the family and significant others in all aspects of
care so they are able to help the patient become as independent as
possible.
Stroke Rehabilitation Services
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Stroke is a form of brain injury, sometimes referred to as a “brain
attack.” In addition to physical disabilities such as weakness or
paralysis, stroke survivors often have cognitive problems that may
prevent them from living independently or from returning to work.
Program Services:
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Our staff works cooperatively with the patient and family to design a
treatment plan that helps the patient make the most of his or her
abilities.
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Early intervention is a key factor in achieving successful outcomes.
Rehabilitation begins at the acute hospital level and continues when the
patient is able to transfer to post-acute care with home care and/or
outpatient therapy.
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The objective of the stroke program is to return the patient to home and
community.
Mild Brain Injury Treatment Program
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Mild brain injuries account for 80 percent of all head trauma cases.
People with mild brain injuries may suffer from a variety of setbacks
that disrupt their daily lives including, physical pain, memory and
concentration impairments, problems at home, work or school.
Program Services:
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We provide comprehensive diagnostic services and rehabilitative care.
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Consultations are made with physical therapists, speech and language
therapists, occupational therapists and other rehabilitation specialists
who will recommend individualized treatment strategies.
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Treatment resources include education
and cognitive therapy, medical management and support.
Industrial Rehabilitation Program
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Services are provided to reduce the incidence of work-related injuries
through pro-active, aggressive injury prevention and to minimize the
associated rehabilitation costs to employers and employees when injury
occurs.
Program Services:
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Injury Prevention Education — Provides employer/employee with
information on body mechanics and other sage work practices to reduce
the likelihood of reinjury.
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Functional Capacity Assessment and Structured Return to Work — Provides
an evaluation of post-injury capabilities and identifies the work that
an injured individual could safely perform while recovering from the
injury.
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Physical Assessment/Repetitive Injury Risk Screening — Identifies
employees who are at variable risk for developing injuries as the result
of jobs they perform.
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Work Site Analysis—Evaluates the tasks required to complete specific
jobs and provides ergonomic assessment and recommendations to decrease
injury or how to perform jobs safely.
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Work Conditioning — Provides progressive treatment to restore the
injured patient’s ability to safely return to work.
Arthritis Pool Classes
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Warm water pool classes are open to
anyone in the community with arthritis or other health issues allowing
exercise in the pool. The classes are slow paced, focusing on general
range of motion, and use the effects of the water; buoyancy and
resistance to enhance movement.
Instruction by Arthritis foundation Certified instructors.
For class dates and times
click here.
Drivers’ Re-entry Program
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This program is for drivers who have acquired a physical disability
through illness or accident, which has resulted in patient and physician
concern about the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle under
various conditions. An occupational therapist, who is licensed by the
Arizona Department of Transportation, coordinates and conducts the
program.
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The occupational therapist evaluates vision, motor and perceptual skills
to determine the individual’s ability to drive.
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After successful completion of initial testing, the individual will
drive a hospital vehicle that has been specifically equipped to
accommodate the driver’s needs. All driving is done under the
occupational therapist’s guidance and instruction.
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As driving skills improve, the therapist will gradually introduce more
challenging situations that may lead to the ability to drive
independently.
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For persons who will need to purchase special adaptive driving
equipment, the therapist will make recommendations about the type of
equipment that best meets the individual needs.
Wound Care Program
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Flagstaff Medical Center’s wound care program offers an
interdisciplinary team approach to wound management requiring the
efforts of a physician, nurse, physical therapist and dietitian. Wound
care may be done in the acute hospital setting or on an outpatient basis.
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Patient education is a key component of an effective wound care program
at all levels of care.
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When discharged, the patient has a good understanding of the techniques
required for self-dressing changes and wound cleansing. Outpatient or
HomeCare services may be provided as necessary to facilitate continued
healing and recovery.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
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A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a physical test designed to
measure an injured worker’s abilities. We then match those abilities to
the specific tasks of a certain job. This is accomplished by having a
worker perform various activities that simulate on-the-job work. The FCE,
which combines the highest level of safety with objective findings, is a
significant aid in developing an effective return-to-work program for an
injured worker.
Program Services:
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Assessments are designed to provide information that helps get people
back to work quickly and safely.
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The program focuses on ability rather than disability
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Therapists provide information to help injured workers discover which
activities they can perform safely and which they must avoid.
Worksite Evaluations
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Our physical and occupational therapists evaluate job tasks required of
workers in a variety of jobs. The therapists make specific
recommendations regarding ergonomic redesign and instruct employers and
employees about proper techniques to perform their jobs safely.
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Therapists perform individual worksite assessments and make
recommendations for equipment and workstation modification.
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Presentations are given to employees about how to avoid repetitive
motion injuries, and how to become more knowledgeable about injury risk
factors and injury prevention measures.
Lymphedema Program
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Lymphedema is the swelling in a limb that does not go away. It is
usually due to the accumulation of fluid because of lost or damaged
lymph nodes from cancer surgery and/or radiation. It also may occur as
the result of vascular problems and strokes.
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Our physical and occupational therapists who work with individuals with
lymphedema have specialized education to teach self-massage and exercise
techniques to redirect areas of drainage to another blood vessel or
nerve.
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Treatment also may include compression sleeves, stocking or wraps for
maintenance of decreased girth and ultrasound to soften swollen areas.
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Education is provided to inform patients about the disease and also the
importance of on-going, long-term self-management, precautions, skin
care and nutrition.
Fibromyalgia Program
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Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatic syndrome indicating widespread pain
in fibrous tissues, muscles, tendons and other connective tissues,
resulting in painful muscles without weakness. This syndrome affects as
many as 6 million people in the United States. It is characterized by
chronic pain, severe fatigue and limited function.
Program services:
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Individualized evaluation and treatment that helps a patient learn
self-management strategies in a supportive environment.
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Education is provided regarding sleep hygiene and the relationship with
fibromyalgia.
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Instruction is given regarding how to pace daily activities, posture and
ergonomics.
Women’s Health and Rehabilitation Services
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Women often experience musculoskeletal problems during pregnancy and
after delivery. In addition, gynecological impairments and surgeries
sometimes result in limited physical function. Physical and occupational
therapists can provide assessments and design individualized therapy
programs to help women regain or improve their ability to perform daily
physical activities at home or work.
Program services:
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Assessment of individual limitations and the activities required during
the woman’s everyday activities and recommendations for home and/or work
site adaptations to facilitate optimal function
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Instruction in proper body mechanics and adaptive equipment as needed
for activities
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Exercise instruction for stretching and to help return supporting
musculature to optimal alignment and capacity
Swallow Program
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This program provides a specialized diagnostic center for the evaluation
and treatment of swallow disorders. Swallowing disorders are associated
with stroke, head injury, throat surgery, and neurological conditions
such as Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
Program services:
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A multi-disciplinary team is available to evaluate swallowing disorders
and to make treatment recommendations. The team members include
referring physician, speech pathologist, radiologist, and dietitian and
nursing staff.
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Diagnosis also may include the use of specialized X-ray equipment.
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Treatment recommendations and education are provided to reduce the risk
of swallowing problems.
Classes are open to the public and are based on the exercise techniques
developed by Joseph Pilates, a boxer, gymnast and visionary in the
1920s. Pilates exercises are performed on a mat, and often incorporate
therapy balls and resistance bands to improve “core stability”; the
strength and coordination of the deep abdominal and spinal muscles.
Classes are small in order to assure that instructors can provide
individualized attention. Breathing and body awareness are emphasized.
Some conditions which can benefit from Pilates:
• Back and neck injuries
• Sports injuries
• Orthopedic surgeries
• Post partum difficulties
• Mastectomy and other cancer surgeries
• Postural related problems
• Balance problems
For class dates and times
click here.
Flagstaff Medical Center now is
offering Tai Chi classes, a form of Chinese exercise, The classes are
open to the community.
Tai Chi incorporates slow, meditative movements to improve balance,
posture, strength, concentration and overall health. Tai Chi also may
help decrease pain, blood pressure, fatigue and anxiety.
Classes begin with gentle warm-up exercises, followed by a series of
slow, rhythmic movements of the arms and legs; nothing is forceful.
Movements are done within a person’s comfort range and are not forceful.
These types of exercises work best for those with arthritis, diabetes,
chronic pain, cancer and various other conditions.
This particular Tai Chi class being taught at FMC is aimed at those in
the community with health challenges. “It is different from other types
of Tai Chi in that it is easier to learn and incorporate into daily
life,” said Mickie Toutant, FMC occupational therapist. This form of Tai
Chi was developed by a physician who had arthritis who practiced Tai Chi
to manage his health.
Each class costs $8 and is taught by a certified instructor. For class
dates and times
click here.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information about the programs
offered by The Rehabilitation Center of Northern Arizona, call
928
773-2125.
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