Patient Accolades

Our outpatient rehabilitation department prides itself on the many positive comments and outstanding scores we receive on our Press Ganey patient surveys. Some of our patients are kind enough to take the time to write a letter about their experience with us. The following is one of those letters. Kudos to Joan Wolf for providing exemplary care, and a big thank you to Mr. McCarthy for allowing us to share his thoughts here...

It was my great good fortune to be assigned Mrs. Wolf as my therapist during extensive therapy periods following surgeries for knee replacements in January and October of 2009.

That Mrs. Wolf proved to exceed my expectations in the professional performance of her duties as a therapist should perhaps be no surprise. However, it was as a concerned caregiver that she did surprise me. I came to Mrs. Wolf following my first surgery very depressed at ever achieving my recovery goals. She recognized the symptoms immediately and began a process of rebuilding my self-confidence so that in a short period she had us both working towards the goal of complete success in regaining mobility in that leg. Mrs. Wolf's careful attention to this aspect of recovery significantly reduced the therapy time needed when I had my second knee replacement in October.

In my experience, no other individual caregiver, in a long life rich with surgical experiences, has so embodied the very best in applied techniques as well as concern for the patient.

Thank you, and I am,
Very truly yours,

John W. McCarthy

Thank you, Mr. McCarthy, for your very kind words!

We welcome you to a discussion on "Other" Women's Health Issues

© Kathy Wynn Dreamstime.com

Fauquier Health LIFE Center is pleased to offer you the first in a series of free health discussions, focusing on gynecological/urological conditions contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction including, but not limited to, incontinence and pelvic pain. This group will help you learn about and cope with symptoms that you may be too embarrassed to discuss with your doctors or friends.

At our first session, our guest speaker is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in women’s health issues at the Fauquier Health Outpatient Rehabilitation. She will be discussing how you may benefit from pelvic physical therapy to treat your symptoms. Also, a trained exercise physiologist will provide information on how an individualized exercise/stretching program, compatible with instructions from your doctor or physical therapist, can help reduce your pain or other symptoms. Both a morning and evening session will be offered to accommodate your needs.

Guest Speakers:
Kristen Pierce, PT, DPT, cert. MDT
LeAnn McCusker, director of the LIFE Center

Location:
The Fauquier Health LIFE Center
419 Holiday Court (Suite 200)
Warrenton, Virginia 20186

Dates:
Wednesday, February 3 , 10:00 am
Wednesday, February 24, 6:00 pm

To register for one of the sessions, please call the Life Center at 540-316-2640.

If you need any further information or have any questions, please contact Marilyn Caine at 540-349-9325 or click on the button below to send her an email:

We welcome Pam De Rivero, Pediatric Physical Therapist Assistant, to our Team!

I was born in Lima, Peru. As I was about to turn five my parents decided to come to live in the United States with the American dream of a better future. From then on we have lived in Northern Virginia. I have a younger brother who calls himself my little mannequin, because going through PTA school I would always practice movement patterns and stretching techniques on him.

I was lucky enough to learn very early on in my life that Pediatric Physical Therapy was what I wanted to do. Even though I searched other possibilities of other professions I would always come back to Physical Therapy for kids.

I enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Northern Virginia Community College. It is an outstanding program with the best instructors who cheer their students on every step of the way. I had three clinical rotations: an Outpatient Orthopedics clinic, Skilled Nursing Facility, and last but not least my favorite, School Settings.

I have worked with a wonderful family for a year and a half helping them give therapy to their two gorgeous boys. They have grown so much in this short amount of time, not only physically but in their gross and fine motor skills, speech, and best of all playing skills. I have had the honor to see these changes during this time and I have also grown to love them as part of my own family.

I believe that ALL children should have fun and be able to play. And now beginning this new journey with Fauquier Health Outpatient Rehab Pediatrics I can’t wait to incorporate that into everyday therapy, making it into a game. I am eager to meet the children and their families, and to find out what they hope to accomplish through therapy. I am also eager to meet my team and co-workers who I will be working with side-by-side to accomplish those goals.

Fauquier Health is the only local facility to offer physical, occupational & speech therapies all at one convenient, child-friendly location. If you feel your child may benefit from rehabilitation services & have questions, please feel free to give us a call at 540-316-2680, or click on the button below to submit your inquiry via email.

Does your baby tilt and hold his head to one side?

© Bartzuza Dreamstime.com

Your baby may have a condition that is known as torticollis. Torticollis is a term that describes an abnormal neck posture. Typically, the parents or physician observe that the baby prefers to tilt or turn his/her head and neck to one side. Evidence in the literature suggests that there may be over 80 differential diagnoses that may cause a torticollis posture. The first step to determine if your baby has torticollis is to bring up your concerns to your pediatrician so he can examine your baby and perform tests as indicated. Neck x-rays are sometimes advised to rule out any abnormality of the vertebrae.

How will I know if my baby has torticollis?

You will notice that your baby prefers to hold his/her head to one side and may have limited neck movement. Torticollis is usually diagnosed within the first 2-3 months of life by the pediatrician. Torticollis is also often associated with an asymmetrical head shape (positional plagiocephaly). This often occurs when babies sleep with their head always turned to one side.

How is torticollis treated?

Conservative treatment of torticollis typically includes passive muscle stretching exercises, active range of motion activities/strengthening exercises, positioning and handling techniques for postural correction, lateral head righting/postural control and developmental exercises. Evidence based outcome measures support manual stretching with good success rates reported from 61-85%.

Should my baby be examined by a physical therapist?

If your baby has been diagnosed with torticollis, you should seek an examination by a pediatric physical therapist as soon as possible. Torticollis limits the ability for a child to move their head freely to see, hear, and interact with his/her environment. Torticollis may also lead to delayed body awareness, weakness and difficulties with balance, and asymmetrical use of their arms and legs during their developmental stages resulting in favoring one side of the body. Physical therapists will perform a thorough neuromusculoskeletal examination of your baby and develop an appropriate program for your child that specifically fits his/her needs. They will check for other conditions that can occur with children who present with torticollis including plagiocephaly, hip dysplasia, and spine problems. They will discuss the results of the examination with you and provide education for a home activity program that includes not only stretching/range of motion exercises, but also information on massage techniques, positioning ideas, and strengthening exercises to prevent any asymmetry that may be occurring. The physical therapist will also observe the patient’s gross motor skills to assure that they are meeting their motor milestones.

How do I get started?
Most cases of torticollis respond very well to physical therapy intervention. Discuss your concerns with your pediatrician and obtain a prescription for physical therapy.

At Fauquier Health Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, our pediatric physical therapy team has special training to treat not only torticollis, but all other congenital, orthopedic, and developmental disorders. We provide a child friendly environment with hours to accommodate school and parent work schedules.

If you feel your child may benefit from this service and would like to hear more, please call us at 540-316-2680. Or click on the button below to ask a question.

October is National Physical Therapy Month

National Physical Therapy Month, sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), is a nationwide observance held each October. This year’s theme, “Move Forward: Physical Therapy Brings Motion to Life” reflects the physical therapist brand, “Physical therapists help you to restore and improve motion to achieve long-term quality of life.”

Physical Therapists are highly educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility without, in many cases, the use of expensive surgery or the side effects of prescription medications. Learn more about the conditions physical therapists can treat at http://www.moveforwardpt.com/.

At Fauquier Hospital Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation we have highly skilled, experienced clinicians who have a multitude of certifications to improve your quality of life. We have several specialized physical therapy programs that provide treatment of Pediatric, Women’s Health, Spine, Sports Therapy, Occupational Injuries, Orthopedic and Neurological conditions. Our experienced physical therapist staff has the following certifications/specializations:

• McKenzie Spine Certified Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (3)
• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (3)
• Certified Weight Management Instructor (1)
• Certified Aquatic Therapist (1)
• Women’s Health Specialists (3)
• Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (1)
• NDT Trained therapist in Adult Hemiplegia (1)
• Certified Functional Capacity Evaluators (2)

We can offer you a specialized examination and treatment in these areas of expertise.

If you feel like we may be able to help you regain your quality of life, or have questions about how we may meet your specific needs, please contact one of our physical therapists at Fauquier Health or press the button below to ask your question.

Do You Suffer from Pelvic Pain that Limits Your Daily Activities?

What is Pelvic Pain?

Pelvic Pain is described as pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or perineum and is considered to be chronic when symptoms have been present for more than six months. The pain may be described as aching or burning in the area of the perineum or abdomen.

What causes pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain can be caused by problems such as pelvic joint dysfunction, muscle imbalance within the muscles of the pelvic floor, trunk, and/or pelvis, incoordination in the muscles related to bowel and bladder function, tender points in the muscles of the pelvic floor, pressure in one or more nerves in the pelvis, an weakness in the muscles of the pelvis and pelvic floor. Pelvic pain can also be related to the presence of scar tissue after abdominal or pelvic surgery. There can be organic disease processes related to pelvic pain as well; therefore, it is important to consult your physician to fully determine the cause of your pain.

What are the symptoms of pelvic pain?

Symptoms of pelvic pain, in addition to pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, may include: pain in the hip or buttock, pain in the tailbone, limited sitting tolerance, pain in the joints of the pelvis, pain with sexual intercourse, tender points in the muscles of the abdomen, reduced range of motion in the hips and lumbar spine, urinary frequency, urgency, or incontinence, painful bowel movements, constipation and/or straining with bowel movements.


How can physical therapy help?

Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and treat joint dysfunction, muscle tightness, weakness, or imbalance in muscle groups, and nerve entrapment – all potential signs of pelvic pain. Physical therapists trained specifically in the area of pelvic health can identify the possible generators of pelvic pain and develop a treatment plan specific to the patient suffering from pelvic pain. A physical therapist trained in this area my utilize hands on techniques to address muscle tightness or targeted exercises to improve muscle strength and reduce faulty patterns of muscle recruitment. Other treatment strategies may include biofeedback, retraining of incoordinated muscles, postural training, and strengthening of the abdominal core muscles.

Physical Therapy techniques for joint and soft tissue dysfunction may include:

• Exercise
• Education
• Manual techniques
• Modalities, including: ultrasound, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, and heat or cold.
  These techniques are part of a physical therapist program designed to reduce tightness, dysfunction, weakness, and pain in the pelvis.
  
  At Fauquier Health Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, our pelvic physical therapy team has completed extensive training in pelvic physical therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association’s section on Women’s Health. Our therapists utilize a variety of techniques as well as education to ensure each patient’s needs are addressed. All pelvic floor treatments are conducted one-on –one in a private setting.
  
  If you feel you may benefit from this service and would like to hear more, please call us at 540-316-2680. Or click on the button below to ask a question.

You're invited to make a difference in the life of an individual with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

What are Autism Action Groups?
Autism action groups are initiated, developed and supported by
Commonwealth Autism Service. Group participants include self-advocates, parents, educators, private and public service providers and other concerned individuals. Currently, there are six Autism Action Groups:

• The Central Virginia Autism Action Group
• The Greater Roanoke Valley Autism Action Group
• The Piedmont Autism Action Group
• The Cumberland Autism Action Group
• The New River Valley Autism Action Group
• Southwest Virginia Autism Action Group

The Northern Virginia Communities of Practice is joining with Commonwealth Autism Service to start a local Autism Action Group. If you are interested, or would like more information, and/or want to be part of this group, please come to our meeting:

September 2, 2009.

2 to 4 pm

Sycamore Room B

Fauquier Health

500 Hospital Drive

Warrenton, VA 20186

Drive up Carriage House Lane by the Warrenton Police Dept., turn right on Veteran's Drive, then turn left up the hill toward the main entrance. Turn right into the Bistro parking lot. Enter through the doors under the teal and gray awning at the Bistro entrance. Take the stairs or the elevator up one level. When you are looking at the "art wall" turn right and go to the end of the hallway to Sycamore Room B.