MHP Physical and Occupational Therapy Provides Multiple Benefits
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – If you’re struggling with an injury, long-term pain or weakness and stiffness, physical therapy may benefit you. Mahaska Health Partnership Physical and Occupational Therapy recently underwent major renovations to better serve patient’s therapy needs.
When it comes to physical therapy, each patient’s treatment is individualized to best meet their needs. “Our patients are referred by their provider when they have suffered an injury, need to recover from surgery or are struggling with long-term pain,” MHP Physical and Occupational Director Ryan Rowley explained. “We work with each patient to determine the best approach for treating their injuries to get them back to their normal routine as soon as possible.”
Physical and Occupational Therapy may involve a wide range of treatment, depending on your specific needs. Whether you need special exercises to help strengthen key areas, manipulations, massage or treatment for specific conditions like lymphedema, balance, chronic headaches or vertigo, therapy may help improve your quality of life.
“When people think of physical therapy, the first thing that usually comes to mind is exercises, but that’s just a fraction of what we offer,” Rowley explained. “There is also a common misconception that physical therapy is painful. While you may be working areas that are sore, our goal is to get your strength back and reduce pain.
“Depending on your situation, treatment may involve low-impact aerobic activities, strengthening exercises or stretching,” Rowley continued. “The goal of these exercises is to build up your muscle strength, which may be necessary after an extended stay on bedrest or after an injury that has kept you from utilizing your muscles for a while. Improved strength can also help alleviate some joint pain.”
For those who are needing to work on pain relief, targeted exercises can help bring relief. “People often need to build flexibility and strength in order to relieve the pressure that’s causing pain, and we can assist with that,” Rowley said. “We can use massage to help regenerate soft tissue and get rid of painful scar tissue. Manipulations, stretching, aerobic activities and taping techniques can also be used to bring relief and work towards long-term pain resolutions.”
For those battling chronic conditions such as headaches, there are treatment options available. “We can use gentle manual therapy on your face, skull, spine and pelvis to regulate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid,” Rowley explained. This can help decrease migraines, fibromyalgia, tension myositis and spinal pain.
“We also offer treatment for lymphedema, a condition where swelling occurs due to the inability of lymph vessels to carry all of the fluid out of a specific part of the body,” Rowley continued. “For those battling vertigo or dizziness, we can help with that too. We also offer balance training and fall prevention, as well as training with crutches or walkers.”
No matter your reason for treatment, physical and occupational therapists work to develop a plan that not only works, but is safe for you. “It’s important to evaluate each individual’s activity levels and overall health. If we start with one treatment and it doesn’t seem to be working, we can easily adjust. The goal is to get you on the road to feeling better while also being safe.
“Our department recently completed renovations to increase our ability to provide treatment to patients,” Rowley explained. “We have private treatment rooms, a much larger gym and additional space for patients checking in. We want to be able to provide our patients with the best treatment options available, and this new space helps us do that.”
Ryan Rowley is the Director of Physical and Occupational Therapy at Mahaska Health Partnership. He works alongside a team of physical and occupational therapy experts to provide treatment options to patients who are looking to improve their quality of life with pain management and recovery. Ryan is very active in the community and enjoys being able to help his neighbors regain mobility and reduce their pain through therapy. Talk with your provider about a referral to MHP Physical and Occupational Therapy today.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.
