Physical therapy and rehabilitation

The neurological rehabilitation program provides comprehensive treatment for patients suffering from the effects of stroke or a traumatic brain injury. The primary goal is to integrate the patient back into the community at the highest level of function.

Most patients need at least three of the five services offered by the program. These services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive therapy, behavioral medicine and vestibular therapy by a physical therapist who is certified in vestibular and concussion rehabilitation.

Each patient receives consistent treatment with the same group of therapists throughout their stay, which last three to six months.

The program provides a step-down, intensive therapeutic environment following hospitalization. Family training and education, which may also incorporate home visits, is also included. This helps address environmental needs. Frequent updates are given on goal achievement and deficit areas.

Following discharge, most patients are transitioned to outpatient therapy.

Medical City Denton offers the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG and LOUD treatment programs for people with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions. LSVT is an evidence-based treatment protocol with more than 20 years of research support.

LSVT BIG and LOUD is a standardized treatment protocol provided by physical, occupational and speech therapists that are certified clinicians. The LSVT program can help all patients in all stages of Parkinson's disease and assists in the following areas:

• Improved vocal loudness
• Improved speech clarity
• Increased facial expressions
• Faster walking with bigger steps
• Improved balance
• Improved confidence

Participants in the LSVT program typically receive 16 sessions over four weeks of both the BIG and LOUD treatments. For more information about the program, please call us at (940) 384-3950.

The SAIL program is a fall prevention exercise program designed to help maintain and improve balance to reduce the risk of falling. The class activities include aerobics, balance exercises, strength training with wrist and ankle weights, and stretching. For motivation and assessment, the class participants undergo baseline fitness checks, which are repeated at regular intervals throughout the year. Fitness checks include:

• 8-Foot Up and Go, measured in seconds
• Biceps curls, measured by number of reps in 30 seconds
• Chair stand, measured by number sit to stand transitions in 30 seconds

Educational resources are given to each participant and provide information on readiness for exercise, the exercise class, a self-assessment for fall risk and prevention of falls.

Depending on individual needs and abilities, additional assessment by one of our clinicians may be indicated to determine eligibility and safety for participation in the SAIL program.

What to expect in a SAIL class:

• One hour of exercise, two times per week
• Classes taught by a certified SAIL program instructor
• You can sit or stand – exercises are adapted for all levels of physical ability
• Exercises specifically designed to help maintain and improve your balance
• Typically 10-15 participants per class

Medical City Denton also offers a wide range of outpatient physical therapy services through Vista Physical Therapy.

In partnership with Vista Physical Therapy, a leading outpatient physical therapy group in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we provide patients with convenient access to more than 25 state-of-the-art outpatient physical therapy locations. Vista offers a wide range of pain management, post-surgery rehabilitation and injury prevention services, including sports medicine, ergonomic solutions, aquatic therapy and more.

Vista’s specialists will work collaboratively with your support network — from primary physicians to collegiate athletic trainers to caretakers — ensuring a safe return to day-to-day life while optimizing performance and preventing re-injury.

Learn more about outpatient physical therapy services offered through Vista Physical Therapy.