Physical therapy

Cass Regional Medical Center offers aquatic therapy through the use of our SwimEx therapy pool. The pool provides additional treatment options for patients and provides opportunities for recovery that may not be attainable by solely utilizing traditional, land-based therapy. Water-based therapy helps patients progress through rehabilitation earlier and more rapidly.

Aquatic therapy proves to benefit patients with a variety of conditions, including:

• Musculoskeletal disorders and conditions, like a total joint replacement, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tear or osteoarthritis.
• Neurological disorders and conditions, such as a stroke, spinal cord injury or brain injury.
• Rheumatic conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
• Spinal disorders, such as spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease.
• Sports-related injuries.

Proven outcomes

• Improved posture, alignment and stability.
• Improved muscle strength and endurance.
• Increased range of motion and flexibility.
• Better balance and coordination.
• Reduced stress on joints.
• Improved power, speed and agility.
• Reduced muscle pain and spasms.

Advantages of water-based therapy include:

• Buoyancy: Diminishes weight bearing and supports weakened structures, allowing the body to be in a natural position for movement and exercise. Depth of the water can be modified to vary weight bearing.
• Hydrostatic pressure: Provides greater compression and support of body structures, which reduces swelling and pain.
• Viscosity/turbulence: The current produced provides uniform resistance for strengthening.
• Temperature: A water temperature of 92 degrees improves blood flow and tissue stretching, which leads to increased mobility. 

Forms

The aquatic therapy program rules form must be completed with your therapy staff member before you can participate in aquatic therapy and use the SwimEx pool.

LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) is used to treat patients with Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders. LSVT BIG is an intensive, range-focused physical and occupational therapy approach.

Research on LSVT BIG has documented improved ratings in tests of motor-functioning in patients with Parkinson's disease. After the treatment, common improvements include:

• Faster walking with bigger steps.
• Balance improvements.
• Increased trunk rotation.
• Improvements in activities of daily living, such as bed mobility.

LSVT BIG is a standard treatment protocol created to accommodate the unique goals of each patient. This includes both gross and fine motor skills. LSVT BIG can be adapted or progressed to meet each patient's needs depending on the range of disease severity and presenting disabilities.

LSVT BIG is used to focus on "BIG" movements, as Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders damage the neurons in the brain that control movement. Therefore, the patient's movements become small and uncontrolled. By teaching the patient to use "BIG" movements, they are able to reeducate their body to produce more normal sized movements.

LSVT BIG treatment consists of:

• 16 sessions: four consecutive days a week for four weeks.
• Individual, one-hour sessions.
• Daily home practice.
• Daily carryover exercises.

It is important for LSVT BIG treatment to be delivered by a physical or occupational therapist who is certified in this technique.

Forms

Use our functional tasks recording form if you are a patient participating in the LSVT BIG program.

Lymphedema is swelling that occurs when there is a blockage in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune and circulatory system. The blockage prevents the lymph fluid from draining, which causes swelling and can range from mild to severe.

Cass Regional offers therapeutic treatment to ease the discomfort and pain of lymphedema. Each patient is carefully evaluated and treatment is tailored to each patient's needs by physical therapist Jon Dritley, DPT, and certified lymphedema therapist Carrie Oberweather, PTA, CLT. Treatment can include exercises, massages and/or compression garments.

Lymphedema therapy is covered by most insurance programs and requires a physician's referral. For more information, talk to your doctor or call 816.887.0304.

Forms

Bring your completed lymphedema patient history form, picture ID and insurance card to your appointment. Please give 24 hours notice if you cannot keep an appointment.

Do you have dizziness or balance issues?

The answer is probably "yes," if the following describes you:

• You often have a temporary feeling of motion, spinning or falling when moving your head quickly or changing position. Your symptoms may also include sweating, nausea or vomiting.
• You have longer lasting symptoms that may be a result of other conditions that affect the inner ear.
• You have a history of falls.
• You have difficulty keeping your balance.

Balance and dizziness may be caused by an easily treated inner-ear condition. They can be treated with proper diagnosis and a specialized therapy and exercise program. We have staff members who are certified by the American Institute of Balance who can diagnose and treat balance and dizziness disorders. 

Forms

Use our dizziness handicap inventory form if you are a patient participating in the vestibular therapy program.