You At Your Best

Special to NWa Democrat-Gazette Our five senses allow us to experience life to its fullest. When injury or illness affects one of our senses, comprehensive rehabilitation services can help us reconnect and once again enjoy our favorite activities. "We have witnessed how patients benefit from various therapies and gain a greater awareness of the five senses," said Ashley Striegler, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Washington Regional Outpatient Therapy Services. "Appropriate therapies can help patients maintain or rebuild their independence so they can participate in the everyday activities of life," Striegler said, offering a description of some common rehabilitation services: • Physical Therapy helps patients regain functional independence in the environment, home and work through the use of therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, balance training and modalities. During therapy, patients work on strengthening weak muscles and developing balance and coordination. • Speech Therapy works to prevent and treat disorders involving speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication and swallowing. Patients receive training on proper articulation of sounds and the understanding of language. • Occupational Therapy maximizes an individual's ability to regain his or her functional independence in activities of daily living, at work 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, Striegler said. "Through collaboration and constant communication with other members of the patient's healthcare team, we seek to bring the best possible care to that patient. It's a matter of putting all the puzzle pieces together instead of treating a patient's condition as an isolated concern." 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. Through physical therapy and occupational therapy, we can reduce patients' pain so that they can participate in daily activities more comfortably. Plus, we provide detailed education to empower each patient 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 on providing care that is tailored to each patient's individual needs," Cox said. "We are committed to helping each patient reach his or her optimal level of function and regain independence as quickly as possible." More information is at wregional.com. Therapy services can help patients reconnect with their five senses Special to NWa Democrat-Gazette Washington Regional Outpatient Therapy Services provides comprehensive rehabilitation services including physical, occupational and speech therapy. Located at the Springdale Center for Health, the modern clinic space was designed to be convenient and welcoming for patients who need therapy for: • orthopedic diagnoses such as back pain, arm or leg pain • sports rehabilitation such as athletic injuries • post-operative care such as knee or shoulder surgery and total joint replacement • neurological diagnoses such as stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis • senior health conditions such as Parkinson's disease and osteoporosis • general weakness, deconditioning and loss of balance • communication and swallowing disorders • vestibular rehabilitation for vertigo In addition, Outpatient Therapy Services provides pelvic therapy for those who are recovering from pelvic surgery, struggling with pelvic pain or avoiding social situations for fear of leakage. The clinic's therapists are specially trained to treat: • urinary and fecal incontinence • back and pelvic pain with pregnancy • urgency and frequency with urination • painful intercourse • chronic constipation • pre- and post-prostatectomy • vaginal prolapse • pediatric bowel and bladder dysfunction Appointments at Outpatient Therapy Services are available by calling 479-463- 6824. The clinic is located in Washington Regional's Springdale Center for Health, which offers medical services for the entire family at 813 Founders Park Drive in Har-Ber Meadows. More information is available at wregional.com. Washington Regional provides outpatient therapy services Located in Har-Ber Meadows, Washington Regional's Springdale Center for Health offers medical services for the entire family. Ashley Striegler, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at Washington Regional Outpatient Therapy Services. Charla Cox, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at Washington Regional Outpatient Therapy Services. 12 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST JUlY - ThE 5 SEnSES | SATURdAY, JUnE 30, 2018

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