Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy

Rehabilitation Services

The Niagara Falls Memorial Rehabilitation System has one of the most comprehensive programs in Western New York. These programs include The Spine Center of Niagara and University Sports Medicine of Niagara programs, pool/aquatic therapy, wound care and hand therapies along with:

Physical Therapy: Comprehensive clinic and pool services to help people recover from sports/orthopedic injuries, musculoskeletal injuries and neurologic disorders.
Occupational Therapy: Complete hand, orthopedic and neurological rehab programs designed to help people reach their optimal level of independence in areas of daily living.
Speech and Audiology: Evaluation and treatment of hearing, swallowing, speech, aphasia, and voice problems.
Athletic Training Services: Our athletic trainers and orthopedic surgeons specializing in Sports Medicine provide on-field coverage for area high schools, community colleges, and (21) Division 1 sports teams.

University Sports Medicine of Niagara
University Sports athletic trainers and orthopedic surgeons specialize in sports medicine and provide on-field coverage for area high schools, community colleges, and (21) Division 1 sports teams. These fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons and athletic trainers are recognized for their expertise in the management of athletic injuries. Specialized skills in arthroscopic surgery, knee and shoulder reconstruction, and rehabilitation are among the strengths of this sports medicine service.

The Spine Center of Niagara
The Spine Center of Niagara includes medical specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation, brain and spine neurosurgery, orthopedic spinal reconstructive surgery, interventional radiology and occupational medicine. The clinical services provided are physical and occupational therapies and extended care/wellness programs in collaboration with the Summit Fitness Center.

Functional Capacity Evaluation/Work Conditioning/Ergonomics
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is an assessment for workers who have suffered injuries that could affect their employment opportunities. The workers' ability to perform work and their physical tolerances to a variety of real and/or simulated work activities is assessed. A Job Demands Analysis (JDA) may be requested in conjunction with a Functional Capacity Evaluation to determine the physical demands associated with a worker's job.

Ergonomic changes may be made to the workplace to reduce the risk of injury, reinjury or cumulative trauma disorders. Work conditioning rehabilitation programs are often utilized to improve the individual's strength in performing critical job tasks.

Aquatic Therapy
The aquatic program is specialized to promote early mobility; improve strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and coordination; manage pain; and promote core/spinal stability.

Neurological Care
Physical and occupational therapy professionals with specialty training treat a variety of neurological conditions at the medial center and in school system, subacute and outpatient settings. Commonly treated diagnoses are stroke and cerebral palsy. Our goal is to promote individual independence and the ability of our clients to care for themselves, function in the community, and return to work or school.

Speech Therapy
Speech Disorders can be caused by excessive or inadequate voice use, problems with the vocal cord muscle tension, tissue masses, paralysis of the vocal cord(s), acid reflux, and post operative or neurological conditions. Our speech therapists and radiologists team up to provide video swallow evaluations.

Audiology
An audiologist is a professional who diagnoses, treats, and manages individuals with hearing loss or balance problems for patient management from birth through adulthood. Audiologists determine appropriate patient treatment of hearing and balance problems by combining a complete history with a variety of specialized auditory and vestibular assessments. Based upon the diagnosis, the audiologist presents a variety of treatment options to patients with hearing impairment or balance problems. Audiologists dispense and fit hearing aids in collaboration with and individual's physician.

Vestibular Rehab
Inner ear or vestibular disorders often cause vertigo, dizziness, spinning, wooziness, imbalance, tilting environment, off-balance, lightheadedness, ear fullness, nausea, falls, and/or motion sickness. If these problems are caused by a disorder of the peripheral vestibular system, rehab intervention may be beneficial. A specialty trained therapist will work with an individual's physician in managing and treating vestibular disorders.

Wound Care
The Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Wound Care Program treats patients with non-healing or healing wounds resulting from diabetes, peripheral vascular insufficiency, venous stasis, incision breakdown, traumatic injuries, sores, and burns. Patients are referred for wound care by their physicians. Treatment often includes modalities such as whirlpool or electrical stimulation, nurse specialist consultation and wound management, and dressing changes.

Hand Therapy
Hand therapy helps individuals regain maximum use of their hands after injury, surgery or the onset of disease. Treatment is provided by an occupational therapist with specialty training in hand therapy. Hand therapy may include exercises, physical modalities, hands on techniques and mobilization and custom splint fabrication to help hands heal and protect them from additional injury.

Dedicated patient access coordinators can be reached at 278-4444 to ease making appointments and referrals at the Summit Healthplex (298-5903) or Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (278-4301).