Orthopedic/Sport Rehabilitation
Orthopedic injuries are injuries of our musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. They are among the most common conditions that occur to stop patients from being able to live the lifestyle that they enjoy. Orthopedic rehabilitation may be necessary because of specific acute damage or overuse injuries causing pain, limited of motion or weakness. Our therapists have extensive experience in these conditions including but not limited to joint replacements, knee and shoulder surgery, muscle strains and tears, tendonitis and sprains.
Our main goal when treating sport related injuries, such ACL sprain, meniscus tears, rotator cuff strain, etc., is to return the athlete as soon as possible to his/her activities, emphasizing prevention and readiness. We focus our rehabilitation on the activities that a patient wants to return to including sport specific exercises as appropriate. Each patient and condition is unique requiring adaptation by the therapist to personalize treatment and achieve maximal results in the shortest period of time.
Work Injuries
Work hardening programs are designed for patients who have been injured and need to return to work efficiently and effectively. The therapist determines the needs of the patient and their job requirements, then designs a program to incorporate tasks such as lifting, bending and repetitive actions. The patient gradually returns to work simulating activities in a time frame that mimics their average day. This allows the individual to return to work as prior to injury and the patient also gains knowledge of proper mechanics and how to use their body in a manner to reduce the risk of injury.
In addition to industrial rehabilitation we offer the Key Method for functional capacity, job placement and upper extremity assessments. These tools assist in returning the injured employee to work based on accurate determinations, ensuring the ability of the employee at the time of hire, and helping to regain confidence to the repetitive-injured worker by establishing tolerance to each task and the total activity during the day.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is one of the many procedures that a therapist uses to restore flexibility and mobility. It is also to decrease the tension and pain of joints and soft tissue through manual means. These techniques require highly trained practitioners who, with the use of their hands, apply pressure on the muscle and fascia tissue and manipulate joints in order to decrease pain caused by muscle spasms, muscle tension, and joint dysfunction.
The manual approach helps to identify the possible cause of the dysfunction and/or some of the components that could be contributing to the pain and discomfort. Our therapists are trained in McKenzie, myofascial release, muscle energy, strain/counter strain, and cranio-sacral techniques as well as joint and spinal mobilization including Maitland, Mulligan, Kaltenborn, and manual traction. After a thorough assessment, these techniques are applied and incorporated into a plan of care that may include other modalities, therapeutic exercises, aquatherapy, and/or reeducation of the biomechanics and the appropriate function of any part of the body.
Pediatric Rehabilitation
At T. Herrlinger and Associates, our therapists are skilled in working with special populations of patients such as pediatrics. It is important when working to rehabilitate children that the interactions occur on their level and in a fun environment to facilitate movement in appropriate patterns. We have extensive experience with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic and neurological conditions. At times the therapist and child may work in our heated pool to increase core stabilization, decrease spasticity and facilitate activation of specific muscles of the body.
Through the use of stability balls, toys and specifically designed activities by the therapist, children can learn/relearn how to perform tasks and reach developmental milestones in cases of delay. Our therapists integrate fun and work to achieve goals for children.
Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic Therapy is the practice of using the pool and its buoyant environment to facilitate rehabilitation for patients suffering from osteoarthritis, back injuries and post-operative conditions. Our facility is unique in that we have a warm water pool on site. The therapist will design an exercise program specific to the patients needs to work on issues such as pain, core stabilization, stretching, strengthening and gait training. Aquatic therapy is utilized in conjunction with other treatment techniques such as modalities and manual therapy depending on the needs of the individual.
Spinal Rehabilitation
There are several approaches to treating individuals with back pain. Our approach is simple, find the musculoskeletal cause of the dysfunction, correct it manually as needed, and then teach the patient the proper skills and biomechanics to prevent the condition from re-occurring. Therapists at this facility are trained in a variety of manual techniques including:
• Maitland and Kaltenborn mobilizations: emphasize 4 and 5 grades of joint mobilization with and without distraction.
• Muscle energy: biomechanics-based analytic and diagnostic system designed to find the level of dysfunction/restriction and correct it
• Myofacial release/Soft tissue mobilization techniques: gentle approach to release myofascial involvement
• Strain/counterstrain techniques: based on the identification of a trigger point and positioning the segment to allow the release of the structures involved
•McKenzie Techniques: spinal evaluation and treatment base on painful sign
Patients often come to us with postural imbalances and misalignments. We are able to correct these with the above techniques but often that is not enough. Patients need to be educated in core stabilization and body mechanics to protect themselves and maintain their well-being.
By utilizing suspension exercise therapy using the red cord system at our Ypsilanti office patients can increase core stability and prevent spinal overload.
Several studies, including one written in Spine in 2001, summarize the importance of manipulation along with other physical therapy approaches. They also highlight that the clinical decision making model for treatment of spinal disorders should consider the dysfunction and treatment and will differ based on the individual. We at T. Herrlinger and Associates specialize in individual treatment plans based on the dysfunction and individual needs. Our main long term goal is to help patients understand their mechanical problems and be an active participant in the process to obtain a satisfactory recovery.
Geriatrics
Geriatric therapy promotes the healthy recovery and the prevention of disability of the elderly population. Older adults often sustain de-conditioning, falls, fractures and osteoporosis which may be combined with other health conditions as osteoarthritis, respiratory/cardiac disease, diabetes, and metabolic changes. In contrast, many older adults are very active but their injuries should be approached in a different way from that of younger athletes. Their therapy requires knowledge and expertise to integrate a proper plan for treatment. We are experienced in the care of older adults and our goal is to teach them the necessary tools to live out the golden years with the fewest physical problems possible.
Hand Therapy
Our therapists are experienced in hand rehabilitation and with our certified hand therapist they treat surgical and non-surgical injuries to the elbow, wrist, and hand. The purpose of our program is to restore the hands fine functions and to return to an efficient level for employment, daily living, and recreation.
Our Services Include:
• Custom splinting and orthotic fabrication
• Manual Therapy
• Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
• Patient Education
• Walk-in splinting
For these conditions and more
• Nerve compression
• Acute trauma
• Arthritis
• Wrist and hand fractures
• Repetitive stress syndrome
• Tendon repair
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sprains/strains
Balance Training/Fall Reduction
Falls are one of the leading causes of fractures. Addressing balance problems including those of orthopedic and neurologic origin can prevent and reduce falls. Falling once usually increases the chances of falling again due to fear of losing balance which puts the individual at additional risk. People may have difficulty with balance due to a sports injury, stroke, dizziness, or surgery. In the elderly, cognitive changes also play a role in the ability to control the space and environment. By increasing proprioception, the awareness of the position of one's body, patients can learn how to control their movements and balance can be improved. We help our patients to walk safely by dual task training, gait training and strengthening.
info@therrlinger.com 1(800) 507–6762