THERAPY SERVICES FOR SPORTS RELATED INJURIES

Each year more than 3.5 million kids under the age of 14 receive treatment for sports related injuries according to USA Today. Treatment for these students may include different interventions to recover, including physical therapy. “We have witnessed how therapy services can help students succeed and return to enjoying their favorite activities again,” said Ashley Striegler, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Washington Regional Outpatient Therapy Services. Physical therapy isn’t just for major injuries or post-surgery recovery, but is also beneficial for other conditions such as persistent knee or shoulder pain. “Appropriate therapies can help to rebuild strength and motion after injuries and aid in participating in the activities of life,” Striegler said, offering a description of a few of the rehabilitation services offered at Washington Regional’s Outpatient Clinic: • Physical Therapy helps patients regain the ability to return to normal life at home, school, and sports, using therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, modalities. During therapy, patients work on strengthening weak muscles, stretching tight muscles, and developing balance and coordination. • Occupational Therapy maximizes an individual’s ability to regain his or her functional independence in activities of daily living at school and in the community, while maintaining physical, cognitive and emotional health. Therapy focuses on fine motor skills that coordinate eye movement and visual perception as well as fine motor movement such as the coordinated use of both hands. The team at Washington Regional Outpatient Therapy Services takes an interdisciplinary approach to provide the best care for the student patient, Striegler said. “Through collaboration and constant communication with other members of the patient’s healthcare team, we seek to deliver the best treatment plan for that patient. It’s a matter of putting all the puzzle pieces together.” Charla Cox, PT, DPT, another physical therapist at Washington Regional Outpatient Therapy Services, said the clinic specializes in providing individualized therapy. “Our therapists work one-on-one with each patient, focusing on that patient’s functional ability and looking at ways to help re-integrate them into their daily life and activities. Through physical therapy and occupational therapy, we can reduce patients’ pain so that they can participate in activities more comfortably. Plus, we provide detailed education to empower them to manage and overcome obstacles on their own at home and change patterns that may be contributing to their impairments,” she said.“Using the most current research-based rehabilitation techniques, our therapists focus onproviding care that is tailored to each patient’s individual needs,” Cox said. “We are committedto helping each patient reach his or her optimal level of function and regain independence asquickly as possible.” More information is at wregional.com.

THERAPY SERVICES FOR SPORTS RELATED INJURIES

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