Physical therapy rehabilitation centers serve patients recovering from surgery or traumatic injury. The therapists often work with children and adults with degenerative disease or birth defects. The facilities are equipped with the tools needed to provide you with the most intense and effective therapies, equipment not usually found in your home.
Stays
Rehabilitation centers often provide both inpatient and outpatient treatment. Facilities designed for inpatient stays serve as interim acute-care places when you're not quite ready to go home but no longer need the daily nursing care of the hospital. Therapy is more intense, designed to get you home. Length of stay at an inpatient physical therapy facility varies with your needs. Most programs require you to be able to successfully walk, climb stairs and use the bathroom. Home care or transfer to a nursing facility follows the interim rehab if you cannot perform basic life skills. Outpatient programs can last anywhere from three to eight weeks and aim to restore function back to your original levels.
Services
Services in physical rehabilitation centers include an educational component to teach you how to perform stretching, aerobic and strength building exercises at home. Your progress is noted in charts as the therapists follow the instructions provided by your surgeon. According to MayoClinic.com, physical therapy also includes instruction in proper posture, lifting techniques, body mechanics and pain management. You'll work out at an outpatient center with the equipment at the center and receive recommendations about equipment you need to purchase for home use.
Professionals
Physical therapists must be licensed in all 50 states. They've undergone training through a four-year college program and many acquire master's degrees in physical therapy, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Physical therapists study anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics and a host of other foundational sciences. They are trained to make assessments and recommendations for treatment. Physical therapists often receive accreditation in associated modalities such as electrostimulation and massage.
Procedures
Inpatient physical therapy includes range-of-motion exercises, strength building and occupational therapy. Therapists teach you how to use mobility aids such as walkers, canes and wheelchairs. Rehabilitation centers typically are fitted with walking platforms, weight machines, stationary bicycles, foot pedals and cycles for your arms. Massage tables, stability balls, resistance bands, steps and free weights are common pieces of equipment found in physical therapy rehab centers.
