Rehabilitation

Click the links below to learn more information about the types of rehabilitation we offer.

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Rehabilitation Services at Northside Hospital

Being the best you can be is sometimes challenging after an illness, surgery, injury, or for those with a chronic condition. The rehabilitation specialists at Northside are committed to offering comprehensive programs and innovative services to allow for the best possible outcomes no matter what stage of life or recovery you are in. We provide exceptional care in a wide variety of areas to best serve your needs: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Oncology, Pre and Post-Surgical Care, Women’s and Men’s Services, Wound Care, Pain & Spine, General Medicine, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Pulmonary, Stroke, Thoracic, Amputation Care, Cardiology & Cardiovascular, Hearing Impairment, and Newborn Nurseries.

Our experienced team of licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists delivers clinically driven results in a caring and friendly environment. In addition, we have highly skilled professionals who specialize in specific areas such as orthopedics and sports medicine, oncology rehab, lymphedema management, dysphagia for head and neck cancers, women’s and men’s pelvic health, wound care, voice, vestibular, audiology testing, modified barium swallow studies, and aquatics. During the first session and throughout the treatment the therapist and patient collaborates to develop a customized treatment plan to address each person’s unique needs and goals, while providing ongoing education and encouragement throughout the treatment. Each therapist also works closely with your physician providing ongoing communication about your progress. Physical, psychological, and cognitive concerns are assessed during your treatment in an effort to focus on the whole patient. Lastly, families and caregivers play an important role in your progress and are encouraged to be active and involved.

Getting you back to an active lifestyle doing the things you love to do is the aim of the Rehabilitation Services Team. We want you to be the best you can be for what matters most to you.

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Physical Therapy

Licensed physical therapists provide treatment and education to help adults to improve their ability to move and perform activities of daily living, and regain their independence.  Loss of physical ability can be caused by injuries, illness, pain, medical problems, or other health-related issues. Physical therapists examine and develop a customized plan of care using a variety of treatment techniques, exercises, and education to reduce pain, restore function, prevent disability and promote mobility for individuals with conditions such as: 

• Sport injuries
• Neck/Back problems
• Balance Concerns
• Joint pain/replacements/limited range of motion
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty walking
• Arthritis
• Wounds/Burns
• Stroke or head injuries
• Post surgical limitations/pain
• Amputations
• Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological disorders
• Urinary incontinence
• Cancer 

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Occupational Therapy

Maximizing an individual’s ability to regain independence in activities of daily living at home, work, and in the community. They collaborate with the patient to improve performance through exercise, activity and adaptive techniques. These include:

• Self-Care Skills (Dressing, Bathing, Hygiene)
• Strengthening and Conditioning
• Adaptive Equipment Training
• Arm/Hand Rehabilitation
• Custom Arm/Hand Splinting
• Visual Perception

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Speech/Language Pathology Services

Communication plays a crucial role in our lives. Licensed Speech Language Pathologists are available to assess, diagnose, treat and help to prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing and fluency enabling you to develop or regain vital communication.

• Exercises for Speech/Swallowing
• Understanding and communicating language
• Voice Therapy
• Cognition
• Oral motor exercises
• Assistive communication devices
• VitalStim Therapy for swallowing
• Modified Barium Swallow studies (MBS)
• Videostroboscopy for functional voice evaluation
• Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT)
• Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing
• Pre-treatment evaluation and management of swallowing for patients with Head and Neck Cancer

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Audiology Services

Licensed audiologists use state-of-the-art diagnostic tests to determine whether or not you have hearing loss or a balance disorder.  Several tests may be performed to discover the nature of a hearing difficulty; the results help us determine the treatment options available to patients with hearing loss. The ultimate goal is to improve listening skills and communication. Northside's Audiology program offers:

• Comprehensive hearing services for newborns, infants, children and adults to include newborn hearing screening and non-sedated Auditory Brainstem Response Evaluation (ABR)
• Infant Hearing Evaluation
• Evaluation, fitting and dispensing of hearing aids and other assistive devices
• Balance function testing (Videonystagmography (VNG) and electronystagmography (ENG)
• Central Auditory Processing (CAP) – Testing how speech sounds are heard and understood

Learn More:
Earbuds can permanently ruin hearing
Hearing loss among most common birth defects
Technology helps shed hearing aid stigma

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Specialized Rehabilitation Services

Northside provides comprehensive rehabilitation services that help patients return to an independent and healthy lifestyle. Our licensed and trained clinicians have advanced degrees and certifications in specific areas of expertise allowing them to provide highly specialized care for those with focused needs.

• Oncology Rehab - Oncology certified clinicians offer an integrated multidisciplinary approach that eases the transition from illness to wellness. The focus is on improving quality of life and independence. Care can be beneficial prior to, during, and/or after cancer treatment.
• Lymphedema Management - Treatment for any abnormal swelling of extremities, head/neck, or trunk, that may occur due to surgery, radiation, fractures, vascular conditions, or family history.
• Dysphagia for Head and Neck Cancers - Preventative therapy for swallowing disorders associated with side effects caused by cancer treatment maximizing quality of life.
• Women’s and Men’s Pelvic Health - Care for women and men with pelvic floor dysfunction including pelvic floor and surrounding areas. Therapy addresses concerns such as incontinence, pelvic pain and sexual impairment.
• Wound Care - Promote healing of wounds and burns utilizing hydrotherapy techniques, debridement of unhealthy tissues and dressing changes.
• Voice - Improving and restoring the vital functions of social communication, professional speaking and singing. Rigid and flexible videostroboscopy, laryngeal function testing and Lee Silverman Voice Therapy are offered.
• Vestibular - For individuals experiencing concerns with dizziness, steadiness, and balance.
• Sports Medicine - Treatment of injuries resulting from sports or an active lifestyle. From competitive to recreational athletes to weekend warriors of all ages benefit from the sport specific treatments of strengthening, stretching, taping, dry needling and functional training to allow a quick return to sport and activity.
• Aquatic Therapy - Therapeutic exercise in a warm pool using the buoyancy of the water to reduce the forces of stress on the joints and/or provides ease of exercise. Offered in Atlanta, Cherokee, and Forsyth through community partnerships.

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Oncology Rehabilitation

Oncology certified clinicians offer an integrated multidisciplinary approach that eases the transition from illness to wellness. The focus is on improving quality of life and independence. Oncology Rehabilitation services can be beneficial prior to, during, and/or after cancer treatment.

Our Oncology Rehabilitation Program is supported by certified oncology rehabilitation physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Specialty rehabilitation services are available for the treatment of lymphedema, swallowing therapy, pelvic health management and wound care. If patients have concerns or difficulties with activities that they did not experience until after cancer diagnosis, oncology rehabilitation may be able help.