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Rehabilitation

Whether you need rehabilitation services during your hospital stay or will be coming to us for your physical therapy appointments, our Unity Health experts can help you recover.

Could an occupational therapist help you or a loved one recover?

Reviewed 1/31/2023

Sources

Occupational therapy: True or false?

If you have an accident, illness or other health problem that makes everyday activities difficult, occupational therapists are here to help. Do you know all the ways these specialists can help you live independently?

True or false: Occupational therapy is only appropriate for people with severe, permanent disabilities.

False. This therapy can help people facing a wide range of health challenges. It can, for example, help people with wrist injuries return to their jobs and hobbies. It may help those with arthritis protect their joints by performing tasks differently. And it can help stroke survivors learn new ways to do daily tasks, like dressing and cooking.

True or false: Occupational therapy is most helpful for older adults.

False. Occupational therapists can help children with trouble concentrating succeed in school. They can help youngsters with autism learn to socialize. And they can help kids who use wheelchairs play with peers. They can even help babies and toddlers meet developmental milestones if they're at risk for delays.

True or false: Part of occupational therapists' expertise is helping patients use special equipment.

True. Occupational therapists may suggest adaptive devices—such as wheelchairs, leg braces or eating aids—to help people be more independent. They can also help people modify their homes or workplaces to accommodate their needs and restrictions.

True or false: Occupational therapists tailor their care plan to each person—and each person's own needs and preferences.

True. Occupational therapists help people meet goals that matter to them, whether that's driving, visiting friends or improving memory. They also work closely with family members to help them support these goals.

True or false: Occupational therapy is reserved for those with physical problems.

False. Occupational therapists also help people with a mental illness or emotional problems. They might help them manage activities that otherwise seem overwhelming, such as budgeting, using public transportation or keeping up with household chores.

Discover what other types of therapy might help you or a loved one live more fully when coping with an injury or illness.

Visit the rehabilitation health topic center

Sources: American Occupational Therapy Association; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Inpatient physical rehabilitation

For patients who need round-the-clock medical care as well as rehabilitation services, we offer inpatient rehabilitation. Located in Searcy, Unity Health is home to the only acute inpatient rehabilitation facility in the area. Learn more about our inpatient physical rehabilitation services.

Sports medicine

We offer care for sports injuries at the Unity Health Orthopaedic and Spine Center. Our experts can help you return to normal activities as quickly as possible. Learn more about our sports medicine services.

Outpatient rehabilitation

Our outpatient rehabilitation team works with patients to restore or improve physical and functional abilities. When you come to one of our outpatient locations, you'll be evaluated by an expert therapist. We'll formalize a treatment plan based on your physician's diagnosis, physical exam, history and other factors.

Our staff consists of:

  • Four licensed physical therapists
  • Four physical therapy assistants
  • One licensed speech language pathologist
  • One licensed occupational therapist who also specializes in hand therapy
  • Three rehabilitation technologists

We have therapists certified in lymphedema management, blood flow restriction therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and manual therapy, and dry needling techniques. Some services may not be available at every location.

Physical therapy

Our expert physical therapists use a wide range of activities designed to help you overcome any physical limitations brought on by injury or illness. In addition to physical exercises, common physical therapy treatments we offer utilize the forces of electromagnetic energy, sound waves, heat and cold, and light and water.
Physical therapy can provide benefits for many diagnoses, but some of the more common problems treated include:

  • Orthopaedic injuries
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation
  • Stroke
  • Back and neck pain
  • Burns and wounds
  • Soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains

Occupational therapy

With an emphasis on the upper extremities, occupational therapy helps you regain the range of motion, muscle control, coordination and strength needed for everyday life.

In addition to helping patients regain lost abilities, our licensed occupational therapist teaches compensatory techniques and the use of adaptive equipment to assist patients in reaching their greatest levels of independence.

Some of the more common diagnoses treated by occupational therapy include:

  • Stroke
  • Head injuries
  • Fracture of the shoulder, elbow and wrist
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

Speech therapy

Speech therapy focuses on a variety of conditions and can help patients of all ages achieve their maximum independence in communication. Our licensed speech language pathologist utilizes a wide array of assessment and treatment tools along with individualized education and instruction to reach that goal.

Two common problems addressed by speech therapy include difficulty or inability to swallow and impairment of speech due to a brain injury.

Pelvic Floor Therapy

Our physical therapist provides this specific branch of physical therapy that focuses on the muscles in your pelvic floor, the muscles that support your trunk and hips and addresses bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction. Through external and internal pelvic floor muscle exams, our provider helps guide treatment including muscle strengthening, pelvic floor muscle relaxation or behavioral modification for any gender, and may also be used to treat children.

What do we treat?

  • Urinary leakage
  • Urinary urgency and frequency
  • Bedwetting after age seven
  • Pelvic pain
  • Endometriosis
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Sacroiliac joint and pubic bone pain
  • Tailbone pain
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Constipation
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Fecal urgency and frequency
  • Trigger point dry needling for trigger points and scar adhesions
  • Pregnancy and postpartum conditions:
    • Low back and hip pain
    • Abdominal and pelvic scar pain/adhesions
    • Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
    • Core and pelvic floor weakness
    • Recovery from a vaginal or cesarean birth
    • Postpartum return to exercise

Marysa Carter, PT