Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy provides a safe way to regain strength, balance, range of motion and flexibility, while at the same time managing pain and swelling. Performing exercise in the water can be beneficial for a variety of patients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions. Patients do not need to know how to swim to participate in an aquatic therapy program.

Cancer Rehabilitation/Lymphedema Therapy

Therapists work with cancer and lymphedema care teams to develop plans to address weakness, fatigue, pain, swelling, soft tissue tightness or joint stiffness. Therapy can also help improve activities of daily living, balance and walking.

Falls Reduction/Balance Therapy

Our fall reduction program focuses on identifying and measuring multiple factors that can lead to increased fall risk, such as balance problems, visual deficits, gait disorders, muscle weakness and a history of falls. By providing education on creating a safe environment, implementing lifestyle changes and incorporating physical strength and endurance exercise programs, patients learn to manage risk and avoid future falls or hospital admissions.

Programs for Injured Workers

We evaluate injured workers to assist employers in screening candidates for specific tasks, identify workplace modifications and determine disability. Our therapists utilize the Workability FCE System which generates legally defensible data. Our programs focus on improving strength, stability, endurance, flexibility, cardiopulmonary fitness and activity tolerance. Clients receive education on proper body mechanics through work simulation activities and exercises. A physician referral and authorization for work conditioning (generally a C-9 from BWC) is needed prior to scheduling the initial appointment.

Neurological/LSVT BIG™ Therapy

Therapists assist post-stroke, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, amputation and other neurological patients with relearning skills lost when the brain is damaged. This includes cognitive retraining, speech and swallowing rehabilitation, strengthening and conditioning, and gait rehabilitation. Activities of daily living (ADL) training help patients build confidence to meet daily challenges such as dressing, bathing or operating home appliances. Members of our physical therapy staff are trained in BIG™ therapy developed to address the unique movement impairments for Parkinson's disease patients. This intensive therapy focuses on core movements used in daily living.

Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Physical and occupational therapies are often used to assist orthopedic patients in returning to full function after injuries or surgeries. Many of Summa’s rehabilitation services and programs are used by our therapists to decrease the pain and debilitating effects of injuries, and also assist in recovery after surgery.

Pelvic Floor

The importance of understanding and maintaining a healthy pelvic floor can be easily overlooked. Surgery, childbirth, scarring, sexual abuse or pelvic fractures can result in a number of health problems if not properly treated. These types of trauma can cause excessive muscle tightness or weakness that may lead to spasms, pain and incontinence. We offer rehabilitation to help women and men regain pelvic floor control and function. Specifically trained physical therapists work one-on-one with patients in a comfortable and private setting.

Types of pelvic floor disorders that can be treated include:

• Urinary and fecal incontinence
• Bladder urgency and frequency
• Painful bladder syndrome
• Pelvic pain
• Pregnancy-related pain
• Postpartum care
• Bowel disorders
• Constipation
• Coccyx pain
• Pre/post prostatectomy 

Treatment may include:

• Internal and external manual therapy
• Biofeedback
• Sacroiliac treatment and bracing
• Relaxation training
• Posture assessment
• Customized exercise program to achieve muscle balance
• Postoperative recovery exercises and education
• Bladder and bowel retraining
• Pelvic floor, trunk and hip musculature strengthening exercises
• Treatment for pelvic organ prolapse

Safe Effective Exercise for Diabetics (SEEDs)

The SEEDs program benefits diabetics who have never exercised, those who have health conditions affecting their physical ability to exercise, or those who have stopped exercising because of pain. After a thorough evaluation, patients are prescribed a progressive exercise program customized to their needs. Visits are used to teach how exercise affects the diabetic patient, and how to maximize independence with an ongoing fitness program.

Temporomandibular Motion Joint (TMJ) Therapy

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is pain at the TMJ and surrounding structures which may cause debilitating pain during opening/closing of the mouth, biting and chewing. Physical therapy is commonly prescribed, both as a conservative treatment and after TMJ surgery. Therapists use treatment techniques to relax muscles, improve posture, increase oral cavity opening and relieve jaw pain. Secondary symptoms such as chronic headaches and dizziness may also be improved.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Patients who experience inner ear damage, head or neck injury, or neurological problems may benefit from vestibular rehabilitation. We provide focused treatments for patients with vertigo, dizziness and visual difficulties. Services include:

• Specialized testing using video goggles
• Balance, function and mobility skills training
• Activity modification for safety
• Postural re-education

Specialized Treatments

Trigger Point Dry Needling. Dry Needling is a specialized form of physical therapy that uses acupuncture type needles inserted through the skin and into the deeper tissues that are trigger points to pain. Not all medical or physical therapy professionals are trained to perform this technique; Summa has advanced certification in dry needling, and performs the treatment as part of a physical therapy referral.

Graston Technique®. This instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique is performed on the injured and surrounding tissues, and is combined with stretching and strengthening to fully treat the injury.

Conditions treated with the Graston Technique include:

• Tendonitis
• Tendonosis
• Fasciitis
• Fasciosis
• Sprains/Strains
• Contusions
• Post-operative pain
• Scar Tissue

Multi Radiance Super Pulsed Laser. The Multi Radiance Super Pulsed Laser is a non-invasive technology used to help reduce acute and chronic pain, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation and increase mobility leading to an improved quality of life.  This treatment is natural, safe and pain-free and patients may see results in 2-5 treatments.  Laser therapy can be used as an adjunct or replacement for pharmaceutical drugs.  After an evaluation by the physical or occupational therapist, a treatment plan is developed for your condition and may include the Multi Radiance Super Pulsed Laser so you can spend more time in the game and less time in recovery.