Physical therapy and rehabilitation in Augusta, Georgia
Doctors Hospital of Augusta is proud to offer a variety of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation (rehab) and physical therapy services to help patients maintain and optimize their physical abilities and mobility and/or recover from surgeries and medical conditions.
Individualized rehabilitative care
Rehab is more than applying a brace. We create comprehensive, individualized plans designed to eliminate the deficits of an injury or medical condition and prevent further injuries from occurring.
Our patient-focused continuum of care enables our therapy team to effectively evaluate and treat each person's condition. Whether someone is being treated for an injury or chronic condition or recovering from surgery, we work with each patient’s physician to develop an integrated treatment plan.
Conditions treated through physical therapy and rehabilitation
Physical therapy and rehab services can benefit patients who are already receiving neurological care and orthopedic care. Some of the most common disabling injuries and conditions that benefit from rehab include:
- Ankle, knee and hip injuries
- Arthritis
- Back and neck pain and injuries
- Balance and vestibular disorders, including Meniere's disease and vertigo
- Brain injuries
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Degenerative joint disease
- Epicondylitis
- Hip fractures
- Impingement syndrome
- Multiple sclerosis
- Multiple traumas
- Parkinson’s disease
- Patellofemoral pain
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Rotator cuff strain
- Sciatica
- Severe burns
- Spine and back injuries
- Stroke
- Tendonitis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Traumatic hand and finger injuries
We also help patients gain mobility and functionality after going through the following procedures:
- Amputation
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
- Joint replacement surgery, including knee and hip replacements
- Rotator cuff repair
Our inpatient rehabilitation center
An amputation, neurological disorder or severe burn — any of these surgeries, conditions and injuries significantly impact a person's life, creating physical and emotional challenges. At the Physical Rehabilitation Center at Doctors Hospital of Augusta, our inpatient rehab team, led by a rehabilitation medical director, evaluates and treats patients who have experienced such life changes.
Our inpatient rehab team
Our inpatient rehab program involves a participative process with patients, their families and our rehab specialists. Leading our team approach are our rehab professionals, who have received training in rehab medicine, rehab nursing and unique specialties, including:
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Psychology
- Social work
- Speech therapy
Our inpatient rehab services
Our Physical Rehabilitation Center is equipped to support the inpatient rehab process. Therapists have access to a full range of hospital resources and treatment options, including:
- Electrical muscle stimulation
- Heat and cold therapies
- Neuromuscular education
- Therapeutic exercise
- Ultrasound diagnostics and condition monitoring
What to expect from inpatient rehab
While each individual's needs vary, our objective for all patients is to restore as much of their independence as possible. In inpatient rehab, patients spend three hours per day in therapy sessions mastering the skills they need to restore specific functions or manage their conditions. This includes:
- Learning to walk again or walking with a prosthesis
- Overcoming difficulties in speaking or swallowing
- Mastering self-care skills, such as:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Grooming
When patients are not in therapy sessions, our inpatient rehab nurses reinforce the lessons learned in therapy while helping patients manage their medical needs. Our entire staff works with patients to increase their independence and help them live a satisfying life. Some of the assistance and guidance our team offers includes:
- Enhancing our patients' job-seeking skills
- Helping patients enjoy leisure activities
- Helping patients who need assistance in making the psychological adjustment to a disability
- Helping patients improve in the following areas:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Endurance
- Strength
Referrals to our inpatient rehab center
The Physical Rehabilitation Center welcomes referrals from anyone. However, the referral process is usually initiated by a written order from a physician. To be eligible for admission to inpatient rehab, a patient must be evaluated and found to be:
- In need of at least two forms of therapy
- Medically stable with a need for close medical supervision
- Potentially capable of improving function and achieving independence
- Willing, along with family members, to participate with the team in the rehab process
Inpatient rehab is covered by Medicare, Workers' Compensation and most insurance carriers. Our staff will assist with the verification of benefits and necessary pre-certifications as required by specific plans.
To refer someone to our inpatient rehab, please call (706) 651-6160.
Our outpatient rehabilitation center
Our dedicated, experienced and knowledgeable team provides outpatient rehab services at our Rehab Health Center, located on our hospital's campus. We take our role seriously to evaluate, manage and rehabilitate patients with injuries and debilitating medical conditions. We believe every patient, whether young or young at heart, deserves the best possible care. Using the latest diagnostic and rehabilitative equipment, our rehab specialists help patients return to their highest level of functionality.
Our outpatient rehab teams
Our outpatient rehab centers offer the services of highly trained and skilled rehab specialists, including:
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Certified hand therapists (CHT)
- Certified lymphedema therapists (CLT)
- Pelvic floor physical therapists
- Athletic trainers
Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services
Our rehab specialists provide a range of rehab services, including physical, occupational, balance and aquatic therapies, to promote recovery and build strength and skills.
Physical therapy
Our rehab center offers physical therapy to helps patients correct and prevent short- or long-term movement issues that affect the ability to function in everyday activities. Our expert physical therapists employ a variety of advanced techniques to help reduce our patients' pain and increase their strength, mobility and flexibility.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) helps increase independence by restoring the skills needed for daily activities and self-care. OT is also used to help patients adapt to impairments or disabilities and prevent further illness and injury.
Activities OT can help with include:
- Cooking
- Driving
- Dressing
- Eating
- Maintaining a home environment
- Using a computer
- Working or attending school
Balance and vestibular therapy
At our Balance and Vestibular Center, we help find the source of balance issues and dizziness and treat balance disorders. We offer a unique rehab environment, where our therapist has advanced training in the anatomy, physiology and function of the vestibular system with a certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation and helps patients return to their balanced and active lifestyles.
Aquatic therapy
Because of the buoyancy of water, aquatic therapy allows the body to exercise joints and muscles while bearing less weight. Aquatic therapy is often used to help patients experiencing orthopedic conditions and/or chronic pain as well as individuals who have undergone joint replacement surgery.
Some of the benefits of aquatic therapy include:
- Improved balance and coordination
- Improved endurance and lung capacity over time
- Improved flexibility and strength
- Increased blood flow, which reduces swelling
- Reduced pain, often after only one session
Specialized rehab treatments and programs
Rehab Health Center offers the area’s most comprehensive range of outpatient therapy services, all in the same location. Our specialized services include:
- Aquatic therapy
- Balance and vestibular therapy
- Lymphedema therapy
- Oncology rehab
- Our Hand Center
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Sports medicine
Outpatient orthopedic rehab
Through the Human Motion Institute, our orthopedic program offers comprehensive treatment for bone, muscle and joint conditions. The institute works with patients to create treatment programs that help them return to healthy function. Because we understand the factors that contribute to orthopedic conditions, we take an active role in reducing the likelihood of any injuries or illnesses occurring.
Hand therapy
We understand the unique challenges associated with hand dysfunction and are committed to providing quality, compassionate care to help patients regain maximum function. CHTs use advanced techniques and effective care to treat hand injuries and diseases and help patients who need post-surgical care.
Lymphedema therapy
Our CLT has the skills and knowledge necessary to safely and effectively treat patients using individualized treatment plans for edema and lymphedema caused by surgery, cancer, cancer treatment and burns.
Oncology rehab
During and after cancer treatment, patients may experience conditions or problems that can be treated by our team of oncology rehabilitation therapists. Our oncology rehab team customizes treatment plans and provides options that best fit each patient’s lifestyle and goals.
Pelvic floor physical therapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a treatment to help address dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. The type of therapy prescribed will depend upon the symptoms you’re experiencing. Some will require relaxing and lengthening of the muscles, while others may require strengthening the muscles. Pelvic floor physical therapy can improve symptoms such as urinary and bowel problems, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction and other pelvic conditions.
Sports medicine and physical therapy
Our sports medicine program offers injury prevention, evaluation and treatment with the goal of returning athletes safely back to play. Doctors Hospital provides athletic trainers to area high schools.
Speech therapy
Disorders of speech, language and swallowing affect individuals’ well-being, quality of life, ability to work and social interaction. Conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, head/neck cancer and certain diseases are common causes leading to speech and swallowing challenges. Doctors Hospital provides expert, compassionate care in evaluating and rehabilitating patients requiring therapy for speech and swallowing disorders.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation locations
