Physical Therapy
If you or a loved one has ever worked hard to recover from an injury or surgery, you know how difficult it is to regain strength and return to a normal routine. For many people, physical therapy is an essential element of their treatment.
Physical Therapy at Mary Greeley Medical Center
Goal number one for physical therapy services and physical therapists at Mary Greeley Medical Center? Get patients back to work and leisure activities. That may mean helping patients with:
- sprains, strains, and fractures
- conditions such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis
- injuries, such as to the neck and back
- burns
- amputations
- neurological conditions (stroke, Parkinson’s disease)
- birth defects
- work related injuries
- general orthopedics (foot and ankle, knee, hip, back and shoulder) pain
- post surgical (neck, spine, lower and upper extremity)
We also have experts who can help you with:
Balance Treatment & Fall Prevention
Mary Greeley Medical Center is a leader in providing therapy services for improving balance. The medical center is one of the few places in central Iowa offering Neurocom Balance Master technology, which provides therapists with precise information about balance deficits. This technology also offers a specialized treatment option for improving balance. In addition to this the medical center has a physical therapy neurology clinical specialist with many years of experience in providing care in central Iowa for persons with balance deficits.
Whether your balance concerns are due to a neurological condition, a medical problem, medications, or for an unknown cause, the therapy staff are ready to evaluate your concerns, and develop a treatment plan that will decrease your risk of falls through exercise, education, and direct physical therapy interventions.
Concussion
While concussions among athletes have been a key area of concern, concussions can happen to anyone and in all sorts of situations. A concussion occurs when a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury shakes or jars the brain inside the skull. In fact, concussions are just one type of traumatic brain injury, also called TBI. TBIs can cause bruising, swelling, or tearing of brain tissue.
Baseline Concussion Tests at Mary Greeley Medical Center
Baseline concussions tests can be valuable for anyone who is concerned about concussion or at risk for concussion. Why? If you or a loved one has had a concussion or traumatic brain injury, you may have questions about whether it’s safe to resume some physical activity, including youth sports. If you’ve had a baseline concussion test at Mary Greeley Medical Center Rehab and Wellness, it could help to determine whether or not you should return to certain activities, including youth and high school athletics. Baseline tests are also used during post-injury re-tests, which are used in conjunction with the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s (IHSAA) recommendations and help determine how quickly and at what level athletes in particular can participate.
There are two types of baseline concussion tests offered at Mary Greeley Medical Center. They include:
- A. Basic Baseline Test (Time: 15 minutes)
- Scat3: symptom questionnaire, cognitive tests, physical signs, and brief balance and coordination screen
- King Devick: visual and cognitive screen tool
- B. Advanced Baseline Test (Includes basic test, Time: 30-45 minutes)
- Sensory organization, balance, and reaction time testing: Using one of Mary Greeley’s computerized balance platform systems, this test measures motor control to maintain balance. The results enhance decisions on return-to-activity progression and return-to-play determination.
To schedule a baseline concussion test or for more information, contact Mary Greeley Rehab and Wellness at 515-239-6770, or Story City Rehab and Wellness at 515-733-5129.
More About Concussions and Head Injuries
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries happen in all sorts of situations—car accidents, work-related incidents, even home falls.
Children and young adults are of particular concern when it comes to concussions and traumatic brain injuries. The first piece of advice: Stop all activity and do not return to play—otherwise you risk a more serious brain injury.
To schedule a baseline concussion test or for more information, contact Mary Greeley Rehab and Wellness at 515-239-6770, or Story City Rehab and Wellness at 515-733-5129.
Vestibular Rehabilitation (Dizziness)
Many adults experience sudden or prolonged bouts of dizziness or vertigo at some point in their lives. There many potential causes of these symptoms, ranging from ear infections or more serious conditions. Whatever the cause, vestibular rehabilitation at Mary Greeley Medical Center may help treat the problem.
Vestibular Rehabilitation at Mary Greeley Medical Center
At Mary Greeley Medical Center Rehab & Wellness, a physical therapist who specializes in neurological physical therapy will work with your physician to determine the possible causes of your dizziness symptoms. A thorough examination, possibly involving the use of technology for further evaluation, will be performed. Based on exam findings, the therapist will develop an individualized treatment program that incorporates your goals and interests.
Vestibular rehabilitation is a proven, exercise-based treatment approach that requires the patient to perform exercises at home, and participate in direct physical therapy sessions that address specific symptoms. Some people require only 1-2 physical therapy sessions, while others may require several months of treatment depending on the underlying cause of the vestibular dysfunction.
Vestibular rehabilitation at Mary Greeley can help treat simple, but definitely debilitating, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or more serious conditions, such as viral neuronitis, meniere’s, vestibular migraines, and more.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Locations
Physical therapists at Mary Greeley Medical Center are knowledgeable, experienced, and enthusiastic to get you back to a more active and productive life. Outpatient rehabilitation for dizziness is offered at our Ames and Story City locations.
• Ames: Mary Greeley Medical Center, Medical Arts Building, 1015 Duff Avenue, 515-239- 6770
• Story City, Story City Community Health Center, 812 Elm Avenue, 515-733-5129
Learn More About Dizziness
Do you, or someone you know, have persistent dizziness? It can affect how you feel and what you’re able to do on a day-to-day basis. Learn more about vestibular (dizziness).
Women's Health Services
Physical therapists at Mary Greeley Medical Center Rehab & Wellness specialize in issues unique to women and will work together with your doctor to provide a compassionate approach to evaluation and treatment. A thorough history and examination will be performed and an individualized plan will be developed to address your specific needs and goals. This often requires only one or two visits as treatment is typically focused on how you can help yourself through self-care practices and a home exercise program.
Among the conditions that physical therapy can help and therapy methods that may be used:
- Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, bladder pain or urgency/frequency syndromes, pelvic pain, vulvar pain, sexual pain, and constipation/dyssyngergic defecation)
- Education about self-care strategies and behavior modification
- Development of appropriate exercise program, such as kegels
- Specific manual therapy techniques
- Biofeedback, when appropriate
- Referrals to other specialized providers
- Musculoskeletal pain during or after pregnancy
- Safe core strengthening to address low back or pelvic pain
- Moms in Motion Aquatic Program
- Lymphedema management
- Compression bandaging
- Compression garment fitting
- Post-mastectomy exercise programs
Following a thorough initial assessment of your condition, the physical therapist will set up an individualized treatment plan for you to help you achieve your goals. This will most likely include some exercises targeted to improve your condition, as well as education on posture and movement.
The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill
One of the more innovative physical therapy tools for those with orthopedic injuries and surgeries is the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill. It’s a treadmill that alleviates body weight and thereby pain, and can help patients more quickly return to their normal physical activities. The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill can be used for a range of conditions, including:
- lower extremity orthopedic problems
- lower leg pain
- running injuries
- neurological problems
- gait disturbance
- bariatric patient
- people with some balance issues and post-stroke issues
Aquatic Therapy
The premise behind aquatic therapy is relatively simple: Some people cannot tolerate exercise on land. Giving them workouts to do in the water trades buoyancy for gravity, relieving pressure and impact on joints and enabling them to focus on building and improving strength, range of motion, posture, and balance. Learn more about aquatic therapy at Mary Greeley Rehab & Wellness.
Get Help Today
Inpatient physical therapy may be available in a range of locations and settings, including at bedside. Outpatient physical therapy at Mary Greeley Medical Center is offered in Ames (Mary Greeley Medical Center, Medical Arts Building, 1015 Duff Avenue, 515-239- 6770) or Story City (Story City Community Health Center, 812 Elm Avenue, 515-733-5129).
