Neurological Rehab
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital offers an extensive, progressive neurologic outpatient rehabilitation program for patients who may be able to function on their own, but wish to function even better.
Parkinson's Treatment
What is therapy for Parkinson's disease?
The frustrating effects of Parkinson's disease can take a toll on a patient's abilities and self-image, but a customized therapy plan can help patients make significant gains. At Bryn Mawr Rehab, our accredited, interdisciplinary therapists create innovative treatments to combat symptoms like:
- Weakness
- Small or shuffling steps
- Slow walking
- Freezing or inability to move
- Low endurance
- Decline in balance
- Rigidity or stiffness
- Inability to project voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Decrease in fine motor skills, like handwriting, or using buttons and zippers
Whether a patient is with us for inpatient therapy at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in Malvern, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, or at one of several locations for outpatient therapy for Parkinson's disease, therapy begins with a physical, occupational, speech and neuropsychological assessment.
Our therapists are certified by the National Parkinson Foundation®, LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD®, Parkinson Wellness Recovery® (PWR! training), Dance for PD® and therapeutic yoga.
Based on the results of the assessments and using a combination of personal insight and state-of-the-art technology, our team creates a regimen unique to each patient's goals and stage of disease. We take a creative approach that typically spans speech, occupational and physical therapies, which may include:
- Exercises to improve dressing skills, eating and drinking
- Strength, flexibility and balance-improvement training
- Training to increase walking speed and ease of movement
- Therapeutic yoga
Our work with Parkinson's patients may also include:
- Exercises to enhance reading speed and reaction time
- Therapies to improve speech clarity, tone and volume
We also incorporate diet-safety education into our program.
At Bryn Mawr Rehab we treat anyone with Parkinson's, regardless of age or stage of illness. Patient goals are established realistically based on individual lifestyles and needs, aiming for the highest level of independence possible. Depending on a therapist's recommendations, additional staff and departments may be called in as part of the recovery process. Typical therapy plans may include:
- Assistive technology services
- Aquatic therapy
- Driver rehab
- Dynavision light training board for visual motor training
- Neuropsychological services
- Yoga
Our patients further benefit from technology-assisted therapy for Parkinson's disease such as the Bioness Vector, Lokomat® Pro, Lite Gait and/or Balance Master.
Parkinson's disease support groups
Parkinson support group
The focus of the group is to enhance quality of life through education, symptom management, and strategies for support and coping. Meetings are facilitated by Main Line Health clinicians and staff.
The Parkinson support group meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 6:00–7:30 pm in the Administration Building, First Floor, Conference Rooms 1–4. For information, call 484.596.4664 or email [email protected].
Family support of therapy for Parkinson's disease
For caregivers and family members, it's important to be involved in a Parkinson patient's treatment. Family involvement ensures that even when patients are at home, they can have someone to depend on who understands their challenges and is willing to help monitor and encourage their daily exercises.
Amputee Treatment and Rehab
Through the amputee rehabilitation program, we offer a full range of amputee support and rehabilitation from pre-amputation evaluation to advanced prosthetic training, assuring medical management throughout the process.
Neurology
The neurology team at Main Line Health treats and manages conditions such as migraines, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and more.
Speech Therapy
Our multidisciplinary approach to inpatient and outpatient speech therapy rehab includes expert diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders led by master’s-level, licensed and certified speech pathologists.
Equestrian Therapy
Equine-assisted therapy provides physical as well as cognitive benefits for a person’s recovery. As the horse walks, the repetitive swinging motion helps to improve the person’s balance, coordination and strength and muscle tone through the trunk and legs. Cognitive skills improve because riding requires balance, stability, timing and planning.
Horticultural Therapy Center
Getting well doesn’t just happen from a hospital bed or inside a gym. Sometimes, letting patients get back to nature is the key to physical and psychological recovery.
Lymphedema Management Program
Our lymphedema therapists help you achieve best results early and with continued treatment at outpatient locations in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Even in cases of chronic lymphedema, an active management program can reduce swelling and improve symptoms.
Spinal Cord Rehab
Where you’ll receive innovative inpatient and outpatient spinal cord rehabilitation care at one of the country's most respected acute rehabilitation hospitals, and 92 percent of our inpatients reach their goals upon discharge and 83 percent of outpatients meet theirs.