Rehabilitation & Therapy

Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics is proud to offer the Graston Technique® (GT) therapy.  Soft tissue injuries can be debilitating and frustrating. Graston Technique® (GT) therapy is successful in effectively treating all soft tissue conditions, whether they are chronic, acute or post- surgical. GT therapy can help you enjoy life again. The primary benefit of Graston Technique® therapy is relief. These are some of the ways we help make that possible.

The unique technique and instruments enable the treatment of scar tissue and fascial restrictions during rehabilitation that allows for faster rehabilitation and with greater success when the goal is restoring range of motion, eliminating pain, and restoring normal function.

Most common conditions treated with Graston Technique® therapy:

• Ankle Pain (Achilles Tendinosis/itis)
• Wrist Pain (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
• Neck Pain (Cervical Sprain/Strain)
• Fibromyalgia
• Hamstring Injuries
• Hip Pain
• IT Band (Iliotibial Band)
• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylosis/itis)
• Back Pain (Lumbar Sprain/Strain)
• Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylosis/itis)
• Knee Pain (Patellofemoral Disorders)
• Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
• Shoulder Pain (Rotator Cuff Tendinosis/itis)
• Scar Tissue
• Trigger Finger
• Women's Health (Post-Mastectomy and Caesarean Scarring)
   

Graston Technique Therapy is available at our Belmond and Clarion Campuses.  To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call 515-532-9265.

Integrative Dry Needling is a highly effective form of physical therapy for the treatment of a multitude of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. It is not appropriate for all conditions or pathologies and the use of the techniques will be at the discretion of your physical therapist.
 

How does it work?  Integrative dry needling is not acupuncture (traditional Chinese medicine), It is based on neuro­anatomy and modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. A very fine filament needle is inserted through the skin and into the deeper tissues that are considered trigger points to your pain. Dry needling works by causing a micro lesion within the pathological tissue thus breaking up shortened tissues, inhibiting a reflex arc from the nervous system to the tissue, normalizing the inflammatory response, and centrally mediating the pain. This mechanical and neuromuscular effect provides an environment that enhances the body's ability to heal which ultimately reduces pain.
 

What conditions can be treated?  Conditions include, but are not limited to: neck, back and shoulder pain, arm pain (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer's elbow), headache to include migraines and tension-type headaches, jaw pain, buttock pain and leg pain (sciatica, hamstrings strains, calf tightness/spams).
 

Are the needles sterile?  Yes, only sterile disposable needles are used.
 

Is the procedure painful?  The fine filament needle is very thin, solid, and flexible, which allows for the needle to be pushed through the skin versus cutting the skin. This helps reduce any discomfort that may occur with the procedure. We strive to make the treatment virtually painless, however at times a local twitch response of the muscle may be felt. When the needle is inserted into the pathological tissue the local twitch response sensation is normal and is felt only momentarily. Many patients describe this twitch response as a little electric shock, cramp, or an ache sensation. These sensations are perfectly normal and even a desirable response. Your physical therapist will make every effort to make your experience comfortable and therapeutic.
 

How will I feel after the dry needling treatment?  This will vary but many patients experience immediate relief of their symptoms and an increase in range of motion. Soreness can also be a common response from the needling, but does not occur with all people. Some individuals may experience an immediate achiness or a delayed soreness the next day. The soreness, if present, will usually last 1-2 days. Use of heat and light massage and movement will be beneficial. Mild bruising may also occur, but is rare. Application of ice on the bruise will help with the soreness and the skin discoloration will last several days but is not harmful.

It is uncommon, but possible, that the treatment may temporarily increase your symptoms. If this continues past the 1-2 day window, inform your physical therapist to allow adjustment of your program to enhance your comfort the next time. This does not mean that needling will not be beneficial to your condition.
 

Will I continue to do exercises or receive other treatments?  Yes, your personalized physical therapy program will still integrate traditional physical therapy methods including manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, endurance training, stabilization, and posture training.
 

How many treatments will I need?  This will depend on the category you fit in which is determined by the state of the injury and your overall health. Remember we are attempting to cause mechanical and biochemical changes without any pharmacological means. Therefore, we are looking for a cumulative response to break the pain cycle. Your physical therapist will be able to give you more insight after your evaluation.
 

What should I do to prepare for the treatment?

• Do not eat 30 minutes before treatment
• Be well hydrated but empty your bladder prior to treatment
• Wear loose fitting clothing, shorts, or bathing suit for easy access to your painful areas
   

What can I do after treatment and what should I avoid?

Our recommendations vary depending on the amount of soreness you have and on the individual response to the treatment. Recommendations may include increasing your water intake, applying heat or ice over the area, gentle stretches, and modifications of activities.
 

Who will provide the dry needling treatments?  A physical therapy professional must receive advancing training in order to perform the integrative dry needling treatment technique. Certification is received through the integrative Dry Needling Institute.
 

Is dry needling treatment covered by my insurance?  Please visit with the physical therapy department prior to treatment for cost and insurance coverage.

Integrative Dry Needling is available at our Clarion Campus.  To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call 515-532-9265.

Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics is proud to offer LSVT BIG in our Belmond and Clarion rehabilitation departments. LSVT BIG is a an intensive, amplitude focused physical and occupational therapy approach developed from principles of the effective Parkinson’s specific speech treatment LSVT LOUD®.

The LSVT Programs have been developed and scientifically researched over the past 25 years with funding from the National Institutes of Health. Research on LSVT BIG has documented improved ratings on tests of motor functioning in people with Parkinson disease following treatment including:

• Faster walking with bigger steps
• Improved balance
• Increased trunk rotation
• Improvements in activities of daily living such as bed mobility
• Improved UPDRS Motor Score
   

LSVT BIG is a standardized treatment protocol, which is customized to the unique goals of each patient including both gross and fine motor skills. LSVT BIG can be adapted or progressed in order to meet each patient’s needs across a range of disease severity and presenting impairments.

LSVT BIG treatment consists of:

• 16 sessions: 4 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks
• Individual 1 hour sessions
• Daily homework practice
• Daily carryover exercises

It is essential that LSVT BIG treatment is only delivered by physical or occupational therapists who are certified in this method.  Over 29,000 therapists from 55 countries have been certified in LSVT BIG.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our rehabilitation department.

Belmond: 641-444-4273      Clarion: 515-532-9265
 

Get Back into Your Routine... 

Occupational therapy (OT) is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of life. Occupational therapy assists people in developing skills necessary for independent and satisfying lifestyles. OT treatments are designed to improve one's ability to perform daily activities, to complete home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations, performance and skills assessments and treatments, adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training, guidance to family members and caregivers, manual therapy, and many other services.

Occupational therapy can help with:

• Neurologic conditions (stroke, etc) 
• Injuries, strains/sprains of the upper extremity
• Orthopedics (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder)
• Post-surgical (total joints and upper extremities)
• Work related injuries
• Pediatrics
• Home Health
• Hand therapy
• Lymphedema/wounds
• Training in activities of daily living
• Vision therapy
• Wheelchair assessments
• Driving assessments

For more information, please visit our Locations and Hours page for contact information.

Come Back from Injury!

Physical therapy (PT) is the treatment or prevention of functional deficits from an illness or injury. The treatments may include gait, balance and transfer training, exercise programs, manual therapy, and possibly the use of physical modalities like electrical stimulation, ultrasound / phonophoresis, iontophoresis, or thermotherapy. 

Physical therapy can help with: 

• Orthopedics (back, shoulder, neck, hip, knee, feet / ankle)
• Total joints
• Balance / falls / gait
• Post-surgical (total joints, spine, upper and lower extremities)
• Injuries, sprains / strains 
• Work-related injuries
• Home Health
• Neurologic conditions (stroke, Parkinson’s, etc.)
• Pediatrics
• Vestibular / dizziness
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoporosis
• Urinary incontinence
• Lymphedema

For more information, please visit our Locations and Hours page for contact information.

Your Words Matter... 

Speech therapy provides skilled therapy services to adults and children to facilitate improved communication, swallowing, and cognitive skills. Speech therapists are trained to improve speech, language, voice, fluency, and overall communication. Speech therapists are also trained to evaluate and treat swallowing disorders. Cognitive skills, such as memory, concentration, and problem solving, are also skills which speech pathologists evaluate and treat to maximize a person's ability to function safely.

For more information, please visit our Locations and Hours page for contact information.