Physicial Therapy

The Physical Therapy Department at Brandywine Hospital maintains a certified staff of physical therapists and physical therapy assistants who offer a comprehensive program of rehabilitation utilizing an interdisciplinary and goal-oriented approach to address the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of our patients.

Our clinical expertise and core values of compassion and respect demonstrate our firm commitment to providing the highest quality of care for our patients. Our approach is one of direct involvement with each patient, combining advanced hand-on techniques with patient education and individualized rehabilitative programs. Each of our therapists is highly trained in a broad range of traditional techniques as well as non-traditional treatment methods.

Our primary goal is to provide the highest level of care to patients through:

• Optimal patient care by trained staff utilizing up to date equipment and current methods of treatment
• Continuing education of staff members
• Education of the patient and patient's family
• Coordination of the care of the patient's with all hospital departments and community resources

Our program is directed toward developing and maximizing an individual's functional ability, overcoming the barriers of their disabilities and assisting the individual to become as independent as possible within their physical capabilities. This is accomplished through the application of physical agents which includes:

• Therapeutic exercise
• Heat and cold applications
• Ultrasound
• Electrical stimulation
• Hydrotherapy
• Iontophoresis
• Phonophoresis
• Massage
• Joint and soft tissue mobilization
• Manual and mechanical traction
• Gait training
• Training in activities of daily living
• Balance and coordination training
• Wound care
• Occupational and speech services on an as needed basis through contract services

Our Physical Therapy Department renders services to infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics. Through the findings of the initial evaluation, special needs of each type of patient are identified and addressed through appropriate medical, social and environmental intervention.

In the clinical setting of the department at Brandywine Hospital, the therapist must recognize special needs and interact with the medical staff, nursing services and other appropriate departments in meeting patient needs. Goals are established for each patient that are realistic, reasonable, outcome oriented and achievable within the rehabilitation potential of the patient.

Our Physical Therapy Department provides treatment to inpatients and outpatients with a wide range of physical disabilities from the ambulatory outpatient to the severely handicapped/disabled patient who is totally dependent for all care.

Patient needs/functional losses include but are not limited to the following:

• Pain control
• Pain alleviation
• Loss of functional range of motion of the extremities and/or axial skeleton
• Inability to perform functional activities of daily living
• Loss of gait skills
• Paralysis of one or more muscles or extremities
• Muscle weakness
• Open wounds or burns
• Inflammatory disorders of the musculoskeletal system
• Central nervous system disorders affecting neuromuscular function
• Developmental delay