Kootenai Health’s Rehabilitation Services has a variety of specialty services to help patients achieve their highest quality of life.
Astym
Astym treatment sets the standard for soft tissue therapy. It regenerates healthy soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.), and removes unwanted scar tissue that may be causing pain or movement restrictions. Astym treatment has helped countless patients by restoring movement, getting rid of pain and giving back their lives.
ACL Prevention
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is commonly injured during sporting activities such as football and rugby. The best way to prevent and rehabilitate this ligament is through specific exercises and treatments to improve flexibility and mobility.
Concussion Therapy Program
Our concussion program includes evaluations and computer-based neurocognitive testing and visual field assessment and training to help patients regain abilities lost due to concussion.
Dysphagia (Swallowing problems)
Swallowing problems can occur when a person has trouble getting foods, liquids, or secretions down their throat. A person may gag, cough, choke, spit, or feel pain when trying to swallow. It may be a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation treatment to the throat or chest.
It may also be caused by an infection of the mouth or esophagus. (American Cancer Society). A speech language pathologist (SLP) will first administer a clinical swallow evaluation upon referral.
FEES
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is an assessment and treatment tool used to visualize laryngeal/pharyngeal anatomy and physiology during a swallow. This evaluation is a “gold standard” used to diagnose dysphagia and aspiration in a wide variety of disorders. It may also be used for velopharyngeal dysfunction and insufficiency. FEES utilizes a flexible endoscope to observe the upper aerodigestive tract in order to collect data and measure the parameters of swallowing for the purposes of rehabilitative treatment.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is an abnormal collection of fluid under the skin that causes swelling. This swelling occurs when there is a blockage in the lymph system. Cancer and cancer treatment are risk factors to developing lymphedema because lymph nodes can be damaged. Patients can take measures to help prevent lymphedema and reduce its effects with therapy.
LSVT Global (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment)
Our specially trained LSVT therapists provide an innovative and clinically-proven method for improving voice and speech in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. This therapy specializes in the development of treatments for speech communication (LSVT LOUD®) and physical/occupational therapy (LSVT BIG®). Therapies can also be used for patients with stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome.
Spinal Cord Injury Therapy
Our therapists can help patients retrain the spinal cord to perform lost functionality or find ways to compensate for what has been lost to injury.
TMJ
Patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders will often benefit from physical therapy to help alleviate symptoms.
Peg Tube
A person with a PEG-tube is an excellent candidate for a referral to a speech language pathologist. This patient population is at increased risk of esophageal disuse atrophy, aspiration of reflux, food and feeding aversions, aspiration pneumonia from bacterial secretions, dehydration, and may experience difficulty returning to a regular diet.
Pelvic Floor Health
Kootenai Health Physical Therapy is offering comprehensive pelvic floor health management for both male and female patients with clinicians on our Kootenai Health Campus and Kootenai Clinic Post Falls. Pelvic floor health services help manage pain, and reduce the symptoms of conditions associated with the pelvic floor; such as pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, painful intercourse, sexual dysfunction, tailbone pain and others. They also address complaints associated during and following pregnancy, such as: low back pain, pelvic/pubic pain, diastais recti (separation of stomach muscles), cesarean scar pain, and regaining strength following delivery. Using therapy to treat and manage pelvic floor health can help alleviate symptoms and increase comfort.
Vestibular Therapy
This type of rehabilitation is a form of therapy designed to help patients with balance issues or those who suffer from excessive falls, dizziness, vertigo, balance, disequilibrium, motion sensitivity.
Interactive Metronome
This is a brain-based rehabilitation assessment and training program to help patients improve processing abilities that affect attention, motor planning and sequencing. This helps improve motor skills including mobility, gross motor function and many cognitive abilities including planning, organizing and language.
