Therapy Services

Physical Therapy is for the preservation, enhancement, or restoration of movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disability, injury, or disease.

MVH uses physical therapy to treat patients of all ages with a wide range of needs, including:

• Pain disorders: Through the use of exercise and other modalities such as manual and ultrasound therapy, physical therapy can reduce pain and improve functional mobility.
• Sports injury: Therapists assist athletes in regaining their strength and agility to compete after an injury.
• Balance and coordination: Programs to help reduce the risk of falls and regain independence.
• Orthopedics: Treatment for those experiencing joint and spine problems using a variety of safe and effective methods.
• Neurological rehabilitation and muscle re-education: Following a stroke or brain injury, this type of specialized therapy helps patients return to independent living.
•  Vestibular rehabilitation: This is an exercise-based program, designed by a specialty-trained vestibular physical therapist, to improve balance and reduce problems related to dizziness.

Occupational therapy uses a variety of techniques to increase independent self-care, work and leisure activities.  This type of therapy also helps to develop motor and cognitive skills and works to prevent disability in people of all ages. Occupational therapy can:

• Increase independence in activities of daily living and related self-care skills (grooming, dressing, etc.).
• Assess and treat cognitive function relating to life skills—such as money management, meal planning, meal preparation and job skills.
• Build, fit and instruct patients in the use of upper-extremity splints.
• Provide adaptive equipment to maintain or increase independence.
• Assess living environment for safety hazards and environmental barriers.
• Aid in maintaining and improving endurance through energy conservation and work simplification.
• Assist in normal development in children and stimulate early learning to promote age-appropriate skills.

Speech and language pathology is a health science that involves the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, cognitive, voice, swallowing and oral-motor disorders.

People who can benefit from speech therapy may have:

• Voice disorders secondary to injury, disease or surgery.
• Communication and comprehension disorders following head injury or stroke.
• Difficulty with coordination and strength of facial muscles, including the tongue.
• Articulation problems or stuttering.
• Swallowing problems or a need for swallowing evaluation (including modified barium swallow).

Health conditions that affect speech may be present in patients of any age. In children, speech therapy can also be beneficial for those with tongue-thrust problems, or, in the case of speech and language delay as a result of hearing loss or developmental disorders.

One of the specialty services offered for Speech Therapy is VitalStim, which uses a Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation device to encourage swallowing muscles in the throat to work normally. 

Hand therapy is the art and science of evaluating and treating injuries and conditions of the upper extremity (shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand). It uses a number of therapeutic interventions to help return a person to their highest level of function.