Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy and sensory integration helps patients who’ve experienced a debilitative injury or illness return to activities of daily living (ADL), such as dressing, eating, writing, shopping, toileting and driving.
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.
Brain Injury Rehab
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital was one of the first facilities in the country to offer traumatic and nontraumatic inpatient brain injury rehab as well as outpatient brain injury rehab and has remained one of the best rehabilitation hospitals for brain injury treatment in the Philadelphia region for more than 30 years.
Sports Medicine Rehab
As part of our specialized treatment for each athlete, sports injury rehab includes use of therapies and training exercises that not only mimic the demands of your sport but also address the unique conditions of the specific position you play within your sport.
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.
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.
Pain Management
Our pain management program includes a range of therapeutic techniques, whether you need chronic back pain treatment or relief from pinched nerves. We also draw on integrative medicine approaches to complement traditional pain therapies to give you the safest, most effective results.
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.
Driver Rehab
Independence is a major goal of every rehabilitation program. For over 30 years, the driver rehabilitation program at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has offered a unique way for patients to return to this crucial aspect of their lives.