Valley Medical Center offers high quality, comprehensive rehabilitation services by an experienced staff consisting of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology from St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute.

Our inpatient rehabilitation staff provides intervention for a wide range of patients including those with neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, oncology, general medical/surgical and orthopedic injuries or disabilities. Our staff prides itself on being professional, caring and dedicated to helping each patient achieve optimal recovery, function and comfort. The ultimate goal is for the patient to return home, maximize recovery and resume normal daily activities.

PHYSICAL THERAPY:
Physical therapy is initiated after receiving a physician’s referral. They are responsible for conducting a detailed evaluation and creating an individualized therapy program in an effort to restore and prevent further disability following an injury, disease or physical impairment. All therapy is tailored to a patient’s condition and specific health issues. Physical therapists assess muscle strength, flexibility (range of motion), coordination, posture, mobility and a patient’s ability to function in a home setting. The customized therapy program may include strength and flexibility exercises, endurance activities, mobility training, pain management strategies and other patient education.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY:
Occupational therapists address areas of “human occupation” which include all activities that relate to self-care, work and leisure. These skilled clinicians work systematically to gather information and perform an initial assessment to help identify areas of difficulty and establish treatment goals. These goals are intended to restore function and resume independent living skills after illness, injury or physical or cognitive disability. An occupational therapist will use purposeful activities, strengthening/stretching exercises, neuro-rehabilitation, splinting and other patient education to maximize function. Additional recommendations may include: adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, ergonomic suggestions and energy conservation techniques.

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY:  
Speech-Language Pathologists assess, diagnose, and treat language, cognitive-linguistic, swallowing, speech, and oral motor disorders.  Swallowing, speech and language disorders can result from a variety of neurological events, including brain injury, stroke, progressive disease, cancer, and a number of other medical diseases.   Speech pathologists provide education to patients, their family members and caregivers regarding impairments, disease processes, and compensatory strategies in regards to communication and swallowing.

Discharge Planning:
Our rehabilitation therapists are wonderful at helping plan for leaving the hospital. They can arrange equipment if necessary or make recommendations for living safely at home.

Pre-operative Classes:
Educational classes are available for individuals who are scheduled for an elective surgery for total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. In a group setting, therapists will cover what to expect during the hospital stay through recovery. Our physical therapy staff will also recommend pre-operative strengthening exercises and provide a written home exercise program.

Contact information:  Valley Medical Center
Therapy Services Department
Manager: Amy Lloyd OT/L
1414 N. Houk Suite 101
Spokane, WA 99216
Phone: (509) 473-5494