Occasionally, disease, injury and trauma disrupt lives. The Physical and Occupational Therapy Department at Geauga Medical Center plays a vital role in helping individuals overcome these challenges so they may return to independent living.
The department’s licensed physical therapists create specific programs designed to accomplish individual goals for patients. Goals may include: improved balance and coordination, increased ability to move independently, alleviation of pain, increased strength, and the ability to use artificial limbs.
To attain these goals, therapists employ conventional therapies, such as superficial and deep heat treatments, cold whirlpool traction, massage therapy and exercise. Newer approaches involve applying forms of controlled electrical currents to decrease pain, increase or decrease blood circulation, soften scar tissue and stimulate muscle motion. Exercise routines are used to improve strength, mobility, coordination, and range of motion and endurance. Aquatic physical therapy, conducted in a pool, is used to enhance flexibility and build strength through water resistance training.
Occupational therapy uses productive activities to retrain or teach individuals new behaviors or skills essential for daily living. Our state-licensed, nationally registered occupational therapists engage patients in everyday skills. Tasks may be as basic as bathing, dressing and eating, or as complicated as returning to work and taking care of a home.
Therapists use a variety of modalities to achieve each patient’s specific goals. Treatment may include functional retraining, instruction in adaptive techniques and assistive devices, joint and back protection, task simulation to resolve challenges at work, stress management, and relaxation training.