What do the "weekend warrior," with
a sports injury, a middle-aged woman who has been
treated for breast cancer, and an elderly man recovering
from hip replacement surgery have in common? All
three can benefit from the personalized attention
provided by Huntington's Aboff Physical Therapy
and Sports Medicine Center.
Physical therapy is a broad term used
to describe a regimen of carefully prescribed,
supervised exercises, hands-on techniques such
as neuromuscular reeducation, joint mobilization,
massage, as well as pain relieving modalities including
electric stimulation, ultrasound, heat and cold
treatments. All are designed to help patients achieve
and restore functional capacity, minimize functional
limitations and disabilities, maintain health,
and create appropriate adaptations to enhance independent
functioning.
Patients may undergo physical therapy
following orthopaedic surgery, a sports injury,
or a neurological problem such as a stroke. Physical
therapy can help alleviate pain, improve range
of motion, restore strength, and provide patients
with the knowledge of appropriate body mechanics
to help them prevent reinjury.
All Physical Therapy Centers
are Not Equal
As a hospital-based service, the Aboff Physicial
Therapy and Sports Medicine Center offers certain
advantages that patients may not find at privately
owned, for-profit facilities. "As a not-for-profit
hospital, we have different priorities. We focus
more on quality and less on the bottom line," explained
Donna Grant, PT, Director of the Aboff Center for
the past six years.
In practical terms, that means that
patients are scheduled every half hour, as opposed
to every 15 minutes. Aides are not permitted to
administer treatment. Only licensed physical therapists
and physical therapist assistants treat patients.
"We spend a lot of one-on-one
time with each patient,"
agreed Richard J. Bennis, PT, who has been with
the hospital for two years.
Continuity of Care
Physical therapists at Huntington rotate between
the Aboff Center, where outpatients are treated,
and the inpatient units. That provides patients
with the opportunity to begin rehabilitation
while still in the hospital with the same therapists
who may be continuing to oversee their care on
an outpatient basis.
Experience Counts
"I have never changed jobs because this hospital cares about the people
in this community," said Peggy McNerney, a physical therapist assistant
who has been with Huntington for more than 30 years. Longevity of the hospital's
physical therapy staff trans lates into a high level of expertise. Roseanne
Farley, PTA,a physical therapist assistant with 22 years' experience, concurred
that the hospital's staff is comprised of "dedicated and caring professionals
with years of experience."
Huntington Hospital is an environment
where learning and knowledge are valued. The hospital
emphasizes continuing education, and staff members
are encouraged to maintain their skills and remain
on the fore-front of current knowledge.
"This calendar year I have received
continuing education credits in a number of different
areas, including 'Differential Diagnosis and Rehabilitation
of the Knee,' 'The Geriatric Neurological Patient,'
'A Clinical Approach to Balance and Falls,' 'Effective
Strength Training,' and 'Arthritic Conditions of
the Hand,' among others," said Karen Travis,
PT, one of the newer members of the department.
The
Latest Equipment
With a modern, 3,000 square-foot gymnasium equipped
with the full range of computerized exercise machines,
the Aboff Center treats patients of every age and
diagnosis. From two-month-old infants diagnosed
with torticollis, to active young adults recovering
from a sports-related injury, to women undergoing
specialized therapy to relieve the symptoms of
lymphedema after breast cancer treatment, to geriatric
patients who require rehabilitation following a
stroke, Huntington's Aboff Physical Therapy and
Rehabilitation Center offers an individualized
approach to care that is second to none.
"We have an experienced staff
that is friendly and knowledgeable, a convenient
location, and one-on-one care,"
concluded Joe Colombo, PTA.
For additional information on the Aboff
Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center, please
call (631) 351-2274.
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