Physical therapy services are designed to improve or restore physical functioning following disease, injury or loss of a body part. Physical therapists conduct a thorough evaluation using medical history, review of body systems, physical examination, and a variety of evaluation methods. Identified impairments, functional limitations and disabilities are treated through a therapy plan tailored to the specific need of the individual patient.

An individual may need physical therapy following surgery, injury, trauma, onset of neurological disorder, or onset of pain. Physical therapy services are frequently required following a stroke, brain injury, or cardiovascular disease. Children may require physical therapy services to improve in development of gross motor skills including rolling, crawling, or walking.

Physical therapy addresses limitations caused by pain and reduced range of motion, reduced strength, and decreased balance. Limitations in walking, and/or work function are also areas of service.

Individual outpatient and inpatient services are provided at our state of the art facility. Patients of all ages with a variety of diagnoses are treated. Aquatic therapy is provided in our indoor heated therapy pool. OSF St. Mary is a provider of early intervention services for children ages 0-3 through the State of Illinois Child and Family Connections. Common treatment interventions are: exercises, application of heat and/or cold, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, wound care, hydrotherapy, and massage.

Call OSF St. Mary Medical Center Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services at 309-344-9600 for more information or contact your physician for consultation about a physical therapy referral.

Occupational therapy is a rehabilitative profession focused on helping people reach their maximum level of independence in daily activities. Occupational therapy utilizes occupational tasks as the primary means to rehabilitation. Occupational tasks are all the activities that a person participates in on a given day. Examples are: dressing, brushing teeth, eating, cleaning, money management, shopping, driving, parenting, and employment.

Individuals commonly receive occupational therapy services after illness, surgery, injury, or onset of pain, which decreases their ability to perform daily tasks. Areas of limitation may include: loss of movement, weakness, loss of balance, cognitive impairment, and visual impairment.

Yes. Occupational therapy strives to facilitate the patient's recovery and return to his maximum potential for a satisfying, productive life. Occupational skills encompass all life skill activities from the most basic such as grooming and hygiene, to job related skills. Occupational therapy helps the patient restore abilities and thereby become as independent as possible in skills for daily living.

Individual inpatient and outpatient services are provided at our state of the art facility. Patients of all ages with a variety of diagnoses are treated. Aquatic therapy is provided in our indoor heated therapy pool. Kitchen, bathroom, and laundry areas enable the patient to practice skills necessary for transitioning to the home. St. Mary is a provider of early intervention services for children ages 0 to 3 through the State of Illinois Child and Family Connections. Common treatment interventions include: therapeutic exercises, splinting, neuromuscular re-education, joint mobilization, self-care, and home management training, cognitive retraining, and work re-entry training.

How do I find out if I may benefit from occupational therapy?

Call OSF St. Mary Medical Center Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services at 309-344-9600 for more information or contact your physician for consultation about an occupational therapy referral.

What is speech-language pathology?

Speech-language pathology is the science of diagnosing and treating disorders of communication including problems with speaking and understanding language and related problems with reading and writing. Speech-language Pathologists also treat disorders of cognition and swallowing.

Speech, language, and swallowing services may be indicated following illness, stroke, head injury or onset of a neurological disease. Children may require speech and language services to assist with normal development of speech and language.

A speech-language pathologist evaluates and treats disorders of swallowing (dysphagia) related to neuromuscular difficulty in the mouth and pharynx. This may include problems in handling food and liquids in the mouth as well as the patient's ability to avoid choking while eating.

Patients of all ages are treated for a variety of disorders individual inpatient and outpatient services are provided at our state of the art facility. In addition to traditional therapy techniques, the speech-language pathology department uses computer programs to assist with retraining of skills as well as practice in real life settings. Treatment is commonly given for disorders of articulation, fluency, voice, language, cognition (reasoning and thinking), dysphagia, and aphasia. OSF St. Mary is a provider of early intervention services for children ages 0 to 3 through the State of Illinois Child and Family Connections.

Call OSF St. Mary Medical Center Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services at 309-344-9600 for more information or contact your physician for consultation about a speech therapy referral.