Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Overview

Our therapists use the latest techniques to restore normal joint mobility and function, relieve pain, and maximize independence for our patients. 

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Physical Therapy Services 

Physical therapy is for people dealing with disabilities resulting in limited range of motion, pain, decreased strength, and endurance. Our goal is to help relieve pain and discomfort, and help patients regain movement and function.

In the hospital, physical therapists evaluate how an injury or disease is affecting a person’s strength, mobility, flexibility, or endurance. Therapists work closely with the patient’s medical team to ensure that patients are discharged appropriately. They can suggest continued rehabilitation after discharge, at home or in a different type of medical facility such as a skilled nursing unit or rehabilitation unit. A physical therapist may also recommend medical equipment or assistive devices, such as a walker, crutches, wheelchair, or a cane.

We treat a wide range of conditions like:

• Amputation
• Ankle injuries
• Arthritis
• Balance issues
• Brachial plexus injury
• Contractures
• Deconditioning
• Fibromyalgia
• Fracture and sprains
• Gait problems/retraining
• Head injuries
• Hip and knee replacement
• Neck/back pain
• Nerve injuries
• Postural deviations
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Rotator cuff injuries/repair
• Spasticity
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylosis/spondylothesis
• Stroke
• Spinal cord injuries
• Tendonitis
• Thoracic outlet syndrome

Physical Therapy Services include:

• Ambulation training
• Strengthening and conditioning programs
• Balance training
• Energy conservation techniques
• Return to work training
• Manual therapy
• Pain management
• Orthopedic/neurological rehabilitation

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Occupational Therapy Services

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people of all ages stay actively involved in the things they want and need to do. It helps when you have an injury or medical problem making it difficult to complete daily activities.

We treat a wide range of conditions like:

• Arthritis
• Automobile injuries
• General deconditioning
• Hand and wrist injuries
• Lymphedema
• Overuse injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Splinting
• Sprains, strains, and fractures
• Stroke and other neurological conditions

Occupational Therapy services include:

• Bathing and dressing retraining
• Cooking, cleaning and household activity programs
• Eating modifications
• Return to work training
• Leisure activities training
• Splint fabrication
• Hand and upper extremity rehabilitation
• Energy conservation techniques
• Strengthening and conditioning programs
• Lymphedema management

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Speech Therapy Services

Speech Therapy helps people having problems with communication and swallowing. Speech Language Pathologists work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Treatment is personalized for each patient with the goal of helping them regain independence. Our Pathologists work with other members of our healthcare team to maximize patient care.

Speech Therapy services include: 

• Stroke rehabilitation
• Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation
• Cognitive retraining (including memory, problem solving, and attention)
• Modified barium swallowing evaluation
• Dysphagia treatment (including pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders)
• Head and neck cancer/laryngectomy services
• Voice disorder treatment (including Lee Silverman Voice Treatment)
• Augmentative and alternative communication intervention
• Patient/family/caregiver training and education

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Lymphedema Therapy Services

Lymphedema is the swelling in one or more limbs from impaired flow of the lymphatic system. While it happens most often in the limbs, lymphedema can show up in any area of the body. The lymphatic system is a network of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels that transport and filter lymph fluid throughout the body. The fluid is carried to the lymph nodes, which filter waste and contain infection-fighting cells. When the lymphatic system is compromised, an excess of fluid gathers in a designated area, creating lymphedema.

While there is no cure for lymphedema, it can be reduced and controlled with lifelong management.

Causes of Lymphedema

Primary lymphedema
A rare, inherited condition in which lymph nodes and lymph vessels are absent or abnormal. It typically affects just the legs and is more common in women than men. This condition can be present at birth, developed during puberty, or after age 35.

Secondary lymphedema
Caused by a blockage or cut in the lymphatic system, usually the lymph nodes in the groin or armpit area. Blockages may be caused by infection, cancer, or scar tissue from radiation therapy or the surgical removal of lymph nodes. Surgeries for the treatment of the breast, uterine/cervical, melanoma, prostate, and throat/mouth cancers may lead to this type of lymphedema.

Stages of Lymphedema 

Stage 1 (mild)
Upon waking in the morning, the limb or affected area is almost a normal size. The tissue is still in a “pitting stage” which is when pressing a finger indents and holds in the tissue.

Stage 2 (moderate)
The tissue is “non-pitting” which is when the tissue bounces back from a finger press without leaving an indentation. The tissue has a spongy consistency.

Stage 3 (severe)
The tissue is hard and unresponsive to the touch. The swelling is irreversible and the limb is very large and swollen. Infections are possible at any stage of lymphedema but increase as the stages progress. A swollen limb, left untreated, turns hard and full of lymph fluid which is high in protein and an environment for bacteria and infections to grow.

Treatment Options 

While there is no cure for lymphedema, treatment methods can be used to decrease edema, pain, and the risk of infection, while also increasing patient mobility. We offer lymphedema treatment with both physical and occupational therapists certified in lymphedema. 

A typical treatment program usually takes two to six weeks and can include:

• Manual lymph drainage massage
• Multilayer compression bandaging
• Sequential compression pumps
• Skin care management and treatment
• Decongestive therapeutic exercise
• Kinesio taping
• Self-management instructions
• Recommendations for compression garments

Each treatment session is one-on-one and personalized for each patient’s needs.

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Nursing & Rehabilitation Services

TidalHealth offers inpatient skilled nursing care at Alice B. Tawes Nursing and Rehabilitation in Crisfield, Maryland. Our facility cares for patients who are recovering from an illness or injury that aren’t ready for home recovery. 

Residents live in private or semi-private rooms. The center accepts private pay and insured residents, including those eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. 

Each resident’s care is coordinated by a group of professionals – a “Care Planning” team that includes residents’ family members. Physicians visit residents regularly and skilled nursing coverage is provided around-the-clock. 

For more information or to tour the facility call, 410-968-1022.