Physical Therapy Services -

Physical Therapy can be essential to all human beings, everyone will eventually Grow Old, Get Hurt, probably require some form of professional care. Physical therapy services go hand in hand with addressing each of those issues.

Here are some quick definitions of what Physical Therapy is:

• The use of exercises and physical activities to help condition muscles and restore strength and movement. www.stjude.org/glossary
• The treatment of injuries or disorders using physical methods, such as exercise, massage, or the application of heat. www.ahrq.gov/data/hcup/factbk2/glossary.htm
• A form of treatment consisting of excercising specific parts of the body such as the back, legs, arms, hands or neck in an effort to strengthen, regain range of motion, relearn movement and/or rehabilitate the musculoskeletal system to improve function. www.columbusneurosurgery.com/MedicalTerms.html

Occupational Therapy Services -

Occupational Therapy differs from Physical Theapy in the following ways

• A Physical Therapist works with ambulation, wound care, and is mainly concerned with the lower body. An Occupational Therapist works mostly with the upper body.
• Physical therapists work at building strength and endurance, balance, and ambulation. An occupational therapists works with fine motor skills and activities of daily living.
• Occupational Therapy works more with the fine motor area of the body, and Physical Therapy works more with the large motor skills of the body.

The biggest difference in our eyes is that Occupational Therapy deals mainly with ADLs which are "Activities of Daily Living". Examples of ADLs include brushing teeth, using the restroom, putting on and taking off our clothes and shoes, and even getting in and out of bed. Some one might ask, "Why would I need help with those simple things?" Someone asking this question is probably not elderly or had a major or even minor surgery, and has never been disabled in one way or another.

Speech Language Pathology Services -

There many different ways to explain Speech Pathology one would be that speech-language pathology includes prevention and rehabilitation of communication, swallowing, or other upper aero digestive disorders. Speech-language pathology is also the study of disorders that affect a person's speech, language, cognition, voice disorders, and swallowing disorders. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) address people's speech production, vocal production, swallowing difficulties and language needs through speech therapy.

Why Meridian Rehab Services?

At Meridian Rehab we provide each of these crucial rehabilitation disciplines to help people recover from their injuries, improve their proficiency with ADLs, and their communication. We strive to work hand and hand with health care providers to ensure that patient needs are met, facility demands are being fulfilled and our goal is being accomplished. Our therapy teams work so that patients may always maintain The Highest Quality of Life.