Physical Therapy Services

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a treatment which aims to improve muscle strength, flexibility of joints and ability to walk or move. Physicians may refer to physical therapy treatment following a health concern or injury, pain, disease progression and chronic condition as part of a wider treatment plan. Physical therapy provides goal directed therapeutic exercises and modalities for pain relief, muscle strengthening, endurance, coordination, balance and vestibular issues. Physical therapy may also be indicated as a preventative measure to avoid and or reduce injures and degeneration.

The length of physical therapy treatment is individualized and will depend on the condition and the patient’s response to recovery. Physical therapy may be needed for a few weeks. While neurological and or chronic conditions, may need a longer period to manage symptoms and improve physical function.

What is a physical therapist?

A physical therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional who assesses and treats patients with concerns related to pain, mobility, joint flexibility, range of motion and or neurological and musculoskeletal disorders.

Physical therapists work with patients to reduce pain and improve or restore mobility and prevent disability. In many cases, physical therapy can reduce the need for long-term use of prescription medications and the need for invasive procedures.

Physical therapists can teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they will achieve long-term health benefits. Individuals referred to physical therapy are examined to develop a plan of care using a variety of treatment techniques.

In addition, physical therapists work with individuals to promote healthy and active lifestyles, through preventive programs, individualized fitness and wellness-oriented programs. At the core is the patient's involvement in their own care through self-management that includes education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides Physical Therapy services in the following settings:

Inpatient physical therapy

Inpatient programs include but are not limited to restoration of function following an acute health care condition.

• Intensive Care Unit: Hyperacute Rehabilitation that includes early mobilization and high intensity strengthening programs for ventilated patients, patients pre-and post-organ transplant, and/or any other critical care condition. These programs aim to reduce ICU related complications such as weakness and deconditioning and promote improved long term functional mobility outcomes.
• Neurology Acute Care: Promotes restoration of physical function, mobility and independence following a neurological injury or illness. This may include conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or neurosurgical conditions. Neurorehabilitation offers programs for strengthening and range of movement exercises, balance and co-ordination exercises and bed mobility, transfer and gait training in a gym setting.
• Cancer Rehabilitation: Programs to support cancer patients to regain strength, flexibility and mobility that may have been impacted by cancer or its treatment. Physical therapy implements interventions to manage treatment side effects such as fatigue, pain, lymphoedema and neuropathy and promote improved quality of life.
• Cardiovascular Acute Care: Our Phase 1 Cardiac Rehabilitation program is offered to patients who have experienced a cardiac event such as heart attack, cardiac surgery, transplant or other cardiac conditions. This progressive program aims to improve patients’ cardiovascular endurance and strength to resume independence with functional mobility.
• General Medical/Surgical Acute Care: Rehabilitation aims to reduce impairments and functional limitations post medical conditions and surgeries. Early mobilization programs reduce complications associated with prolonged bedrest such as weakness and promotes independence in functional mobility.

Outpatient physical therapy

Outpatient programs include but are not limited to programs that reduce impairments related to pain, muscle loss, muscle strength and improvement of everyday function that may affect ambulation, sitting, sleeping. Programs are designed to improve self-management of conditions.

• Medical Spine: Neck, back and spine therapy programs aim to reduce intensity and frequency of pain, muscle spasms and associated functional loss.
• Rheumatology: Strength and flexibility training programs, pain relief, and therapeutic exercises and treatment modalities.
• Scoliosis Management: Structured SCROTH scoliosis treatment program.
• Neurological Rehabilitation: Follows acute inpatient and or chronic neurological conditions through gait and postural assessment and balance training, muscle strengthening programs.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation: Includes vestibular exercises and repositioning techniques for vertigo, dizziness, visual blurring, and motion sickness.
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Stage 2: Focuses on a structured program for improvement of overall functional capacity and cardiovascular fitness.
• Pulmonary Rehab Program: Focuses on a structured program for improvement of overall functional capacity, cardiovascular fitness.
• Cancer Rehabilitation: Includes treatment of fatigue, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal strengthening and relaxation strategies such as yoga.
• Lymphedema Management: Includes complete decongestive therapy program (manual lymph drainage, compression therapy, decongestive exercises).
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ): Managing pain and limitation of movement around the jaw.
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: EMG biofeedback, electrical stimulation and manual therapy techniques and exercises.
• Functional Capacity Evaluation: Selected tests that evaluate physical abilities related to job duties.

To learn more about our Physical Therapy services, please email us. [email protected] for outpatient physical therapy and [email protected] for inpatient physical therapy

 

Clinical Expertise in Neurorehabilitation

We offer a comprehensive range of interventions helping patients affected by neurological injury or disease.

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