Reno Therapy - Physical Therapy Reno - Northern Nevada Medical Center

The physical therapist
The physical therapist is a health professional who prevents, identifies, corrects and alleviates acute or prolonged movement dysfunction. The physical therapy staff evaluates the function of the musculoskeletal, neurological, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems and treats relevant problems through exercise, functional training, gait training for ambulation and cardiovascular endurance training.

The occupational therapist
The occupational therapist is a health professional who strives to improve functional independence of the physically impaired patient through purposeful therapeutic activity, exercise and self-care retraining. The occupational therapy staff evaluates the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, including cognitive and perceptual skills, with a special emphasis on the impact of any deficits upon daily performance demands such as self-care, homemaking and work practices.

The speech-language pathologist
The speech language pathologist evaluates and treats individuals experiencing difficulties in communicative, cognitive, and/or swallowing functions. The most common diagnoses seen by the Department of Speech-Language Pathology are decreased communicative-cognitive function, dysphagia, dysarthria, dysphonia and aphasia.

The social worker
The role of the social worker is to assist the patient and their family members in making the necessary adjustments to functional changes imposed by disability.

They offer counseling and support in coping with the emotional stress of illness/injury and preparation for the patient's return to the community. The social worker also coordinates among the patient, family, physician, and rehabilitation team to arrange post discharge services. These may include home care, equipment, transportation or placement outside the home and providing information about financial resources or referrals to community services. The social worker is also responsible for appropriate insurance utilization.

The clinical dietitian
Clinical dietitians identify and work with all patients who are at nutritional risk. They ensure that patients are placed on correct therapeutic diets; provide nutritional education for patients and families as well as initiate and monitor the adequacy of enteral and parenteral nutrition for patients.

The psychologist/psychiatrist
Evaluation and counseling services are available on a consultative basis to assist tha patient and family with behavioral and personal adjustment issues.

Medical management
Management of pre-existing and current medical problems.

Functional mobility training
Activities to improve strength, endurance and balance for transfers, bed mobility, ambulation — with or without assistive devices and wheelchair mobility.

Bowel and bladder training
Training for independence in the management of incontinence problems.

Self-care training
Training to improve grooming, hygiene, bathing, dressing, and eating skills with or without the use of adaptive devices.

Communication training
Training and activities to improve understanding, speech, reading, and writing.

Cognitive retraining
Training and activities to address decreased attention span, memory, and organizational skills.

Swallowing training
Identification and treatment of swallowing problems through compensatory techniques and dietary recommendations.

Therapy Services

The Therapy Team

Other Therapy Services