While rehabilitation is not a cure-all for disease or injuries, it is the ideal way to regain independence and self-confidence.
In addition, rehabilitation can significantly improve neurological symptoms that may accompany spinal, bone, or muscle abnormalities. These can include a wide range of issues, such as chronic pain or numbness.
Rehabilitation treatment can be an excellent tool if you’re suffering from illness in your spine, bones, or muscles. Our Georgia Hand, Shoulder, & Elbow experts can help get you started in Atlanta and Marietta.
Who Benefits from Rehabilitation Therapy
If you’ve lost the ability to perform routine tasks, you may be a candidate for rehabilitation.
Some people may need rehabilitation to learn how to walk again after an accident. Others may need to relearn how to dress after a stroke. While the process will look different for each individual, a rehabilitation specialist can provide the assistance you need to get you on the road to recovery.
Common Medical Conditions That Can Create a Need for Rehabilitation
Below you will find some common medical conditions that can cause you to lose the ability to perform daily life tasks and create a need for rehab. These conditions include:
- Musculoskeletal injuries like sprains, strains, or tears
- Brain or spinal cord injuries or infections
- Neurological injuries like a stroke
- Degenerative disease
- Post-surgery health problems
- Congenital disabilities
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Hand and wrist sports injuries
Many who experience these conditions have found physical medicine to be very beneficial.
What to Expect from Rehabilitation
Your rehabilitation journey will be unique to your situation. Treatment will depend on your illness or trauma and your specific goals.
While at your first appointment, your rehabilitation specialist will assess your needs. Then, we will evaluate what rehabilitation may look like for you.
Understanding your medical history is crucial to helping you regain your health.
You can also expect to get answers to several questions about your condition and medical history. Your rehabilitation specialist will also ask you to list any symptoms you may be experiencing, including pain or weakness.
During your first visit, it is also common for your rehabilitation specialist to perform several tests, including checking your posture, flexibility, and range of motion. In addition, your rehabilitation specialist will want to learn about the difficulties you are facing so that the best treatment plan can be created for you.
Your rehabilitation specialist will provide detailed instructions regarding what exercises will bring you the most benefit. We will also discuss your treatment plan and the length of your treatment so that you can know what to expect going forward.
How Long Will I Need to See a Rehabilitation Specialist?
Our team of rehabilitation specialists will tailor the duration of your visits according to your specific needs. While some people may do well with only short treatment, others may require longer rehabilitation.
Types of Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation fits into three separate categories: physical, occupational, and speech. People of all ages and walks of life can benefit from different rehabilitation types.
Physical Therapy
Most people are familiar with physical therapy as it’s one of the most common types of rehabilitation. Physical therapy involves the strengthening of muscles and gently targeting damaged areas. If your damage is severe, your exercises may also be coupled with nutritional or detoxing counseling.
A physical therapist (PT) will perform hands-on techniques to treat weak areas and guide you through exercises you can do at home. If your case is mild, you may be able to continue your specialized exercise routine from home after a few short visits.
If you need extra guidance and care, however, a PT will teach you movements and exercises to add to your routine and use a more proactive approach at the office during your sessions.
If your injury or illness is serious, a PT will work with other professionals to design an individualized plan.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) is a way to learn to adapt to your challenges. It’s a vital treatment component for anyone who has suffered mobility loss or struggles with everyday tasks.
Sometimes, the use of assistive devices helps people achieve their goals more quickly. For example, items such as bath stools and extended-handle gadgets can facilitate recovery. They may also help you become more independent in your everyday life.
Your occupational therapy routine may include practicing the activities you have trouble with. You will learn to navigate the world again after losing grip strength, depth perception, or any other crucial skill.
Neuropsychological and Speech Therapy
Loss of speech is a common side effect of brain injuries. Communication issues and disorders can stem from many types of trauma. In these cases, speech therapy is a helpful tool in developing skills like speech clarity and comprehension.
Neuropsychological therapy often deals with cognitive function and creating new pathways in the brain.
By teaching new habits and ways of thinking, neuropsychology offers patients healing and a new outlook on life. It is particularly helpful for people with addiction problems or who have severe cognitive issues.
Physical trauma can also have a negative psychological impact. That’s why combining the two is often an ideal way to help patients who develop mental symptoms after an injury.
Additionally, some people need neuropsychological therapy to strengthen their memory or cognitive skills.
Rehabilitation Treatments
There are different treatment options available for a wide range of health problems. Whether you’re seeking to regain muscle strength or recuperate memory, rehabilitation therapy offers several solutions.
Some of the rehabilitation treatments include:
Your therapy needs are diverse. Thus, various treatment options allow us to help design a care plan that works for you.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your therapy treatments may be inpatient or outpatient. However, rebuilding your strength after an intense trauma may require further hospitalization.
Your medical team will work with therapists and specialists to determine your needs for inpatient treatment. While that doesn’t mean you need to be in the hospital at all times, it may mean your therapists and other doctors are close by.
Outpatient treatment is a therapy that allows you to go home after a session. If your condition does not require surgery, outpatient therapy will be a part of your treatment plan.
You can manage your appointments and visits for outpatient care with the help of our expert rehabilitation specialists.
Call Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow today or book your visit to one of our clinics in Atlanta or Marietta to get started on your healing journey with rehabilitation therapy.
