Specialty Services
One of the greatest challenges in rehabilitation of the stroke patient is achieving recovery of the upper extremity and regaining use of arm functionality. Both research and clinical practice have proven the following therapies to be highly effective.
Allied Services is the first rehabilitation provider in Pennsylvania to employ the Bioness NESS H200 ä Neuroprosthetic and Rehabilitation System (H200), an external prosthetic that uses surface electrodes to stimulate and activate hand muscles that have been affected by stroke or spinal cord injury. It combines and accelerates the traditional steps in upper extremity rehabilitation.
Occupational therapists design exercises and movements to activate a paralyzed hand with the H200. A patient can practice grasping and releasing objects and can even perform activities of daily living, all with the goal of increasing functional use of the hand over time. This therapeutic system is available as an inpatient or outpatient service.
For more information contact (570) 348-1360.
Functional Tone Management (FTM)
Allied Services FTM Program utilizes traditional treatment approaches in conjunction with the new and innovative SaeboFlex, a custom dynamic orthosis that features a spring loaded, mechanical system. The SaeboFlex positions the wrist and fingers into extension in preparation for functional activities/ exercises. The user is able to grasp an object by voluntarily flexing his or her fingers. The extension spring system assists in re-opening the hand to release the object. Research shows individuals up to 20 years post neurological injury can show improvement in strength as well as hand function. This therapeutic system is available as an inpatient or outpatient service.
For more information contact (570) 348-1360 or (570) 826-3900.
LiteGait® is an innovative partial weight bearing gait therapy device that allows patients to get upright sooner and actually start walking more quickly. It utilizes a unique overhead suspension and harness system that provides postural and supported standing for even those individuals with very limited trunk control. It enables training of balance, posture, coordination, and locomotion over ground or over a treadmill. This therapeutic system is available as an inpatient or outpatient service.
For more information contact (570) 348-1360 or (570) 826-3900.
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
The Outpatient Occupational Therapy Department, in the Charles Luger Outpatient Clinic in Scranton, treats stroke patients referred for Constraint Induced Movement Therapy. This technique involves constraining the movements of the less affected arm of a patient with a sling or glove for 90% of waking hours for 14 days. The affected arm is then extensively trained while engaged in functional activities. Patients spend three hours a day for 10 weekdays in the clinic, focusing on movement and behavioral techniques. They are given extensive activities to do at home. Research has shown that this type of intense, short-term program can produce significant functional improvements in motor ability.
For more information contact (570) 341-4379.
Functional Electrical Stimulation
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is one of a series of “E-stim” processes that sends controlled, safe and comfortable bursts of electricity through the skin and into muscles. The procedure reproduces the processes involved in muscle contraction under the control of our brain. Contracting the muscle with electrical stimulation helps strengthen the affected muscle and promotes blood supply to the muscle to aid healing.
For more information contact (570) 348-1360 or (570) 826-3900.
Isokinetic testing evaluates the ability of your muscles to contract and exert force. Based on the amount of effort supplied by the patient, the system provides resistance, allowing for safe and efficient testing and strengthening of joints without compromising the healing or surgical repair of an injury. Isokinetic testing can provide your physical therapist with baseline objective data to compare with follow-up testing after rehabilitation as well as valuable information about strength deficits and muscle imbalances that may predispose a particular joint to further injury. Isokinetics are commonly used in ACL (knee reconstruction) and rotator cuff (shoulder) post-surgery rehab.
Neuromuscular reeducation is a neurological reprogramming of the muscles by way of strain/counterstrain techniques. It can be used to improve balance, coordination, posture, kinesthetic sense and proprioception. Treatment may include exercises, relaxation techniques, massage of pressure points, and techniques that assist in the change of abnormal postures and movements.