March 28, 2024

New rehabilitation clinic open

New specialized treatment programs, therapeutic equipment

GRINNELL — St. Francis Manor opened the doors to its new rehabilitation clinic this fall as part of its $4.5 million building renovation and remodel. The clinic, which has an out-patient entrance at the southwest corner of St. Francis Manor, features a large work-out area and two spacious semi-private evaluation areas. Generous donations from the Kintzinger Family Foundation and from Montie & Betty Hammond helped to make this new addition possible.

The rehabilitation clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment developed by Accelerated Care Plus, the nation’s leading provider of specialty clinical programs for sub-acute, chronic and long-term rehabilitation. This equipment, known as “physical agent modalities,” helps to reduce pain and swelling in affected muscles, tissues and joints so that clients are able to increase strength and neuromuscular control as quickly as possible. Thus, clients are able to regain balance, strength, agility, flexibility and mobility sooner, as well as improve their endurance and quality of life.

“We want the community and area medical professionals to know that we are committed to quality care and progressive therapy techniques,” said Tim Stahl, physical therapy assistant. “Our programs are non-invasive and medication-free, utilizing specialized therapeutic equipment that has been effective with the geriatric population for over a decade and among professional athletes for nearly 30 years to accelerate recovery following injury.”

The Accelerated Care Plus modality and rehabilitation technologies assist the therapist by managing pain and muscle spasms, re-educating muscles, and increasing circulation and range of motion. The technologies available include:

• Electrical Stimulation (E-Stim) — Uses gentle electrical pulses to create comfortable muscle contractions.

• Patterned Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (PENS) — A patented form of electrical stimulation that helps nerves and muscles work together to achieve normal movement.

• Ultrasound — Uses sound waves to create a gentle heating effect in muscles, joints and tissues.

• Shortwave Diathermy — Uses safe electromagnetic waves to create a gentle heating effect in muscles, joints and tissues in larger areas such as knees, hips or back.

• Omnicycle Elite Motorized Rehabilitation System — Uses a “smart motor” to help clients exercise when they have limited strength, endurance or muscle control.

The rehabilitation clinic’s services include physical therapy which uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help clients regain or improve their physical abilities; occupational therapy that focuses on performing the activities of daily living as well as specializing in Lymphedema reduction and management; and speech therapy to improve communication disorders, including speech, language, and swallowing disorders.