Medical Rehabilitation

Getting back to life as usual after a serious illness or complex medical procedure isn’t easy. But the medical rehabilitation program at Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation is here to help. Our team works closely with your acute care doctors to create a rehabilitation plan tailored to your exact needs. We strive to help you reduce pain, move more comfortably and get back to the activities you love.

Patient care – what to expect

Medical rehabilitation can include everything from building strength and endurance training to speech therapy, depending on each person’s needs. This rehabilitation typically takes a few weeks but can take longer depending on each patient’s condition. Our patients benefit from:

• Teamwork between doctors and rehabilitation experts. Close collaboration between your doctors and rehabilitation specialists is a hallmark of our program. This teamwork helps us understand your unique condition and create a custom care plan just for you. We take many factors into account – from age and lifestyle to your personal rehabilitation goals – and build a care plan that meets your exact needs. We also work closely with your doctors from the hospital so you continue to get the medical care you need, while we help you get in the best physical shape to return to your regular routines.
• Specialists in many areas of rehabilitation. Our team of physical therapists, occupational therapists and other experts evaluates each patient from every angle. Then they work together to provide care that addresses all aspects of your health.
• A supportive partner in rehabilitation. When you choose Carolinas Rehabilitation, you’re choosing a team that pays attention to your every need and every detail of your health. We’re here for you throughout your rehabilitation process. Our goal is to make sure you’re in the best position for success when you finish rehabilitation, in terms of medical care, physical ability and overall health.

Medical rehabilitation: who we treat

Medical rehabilitation typically supports patients who have been admitted to the hospital and needed extensive medical care to overcome an injury or illness. We care for many types of patients, including:

• Patients with heart disease and heart failure
• Transplant patients including liver and kidney transplants
• Patients with chronic diseases like Parkinson’s diseasee or multiple sclerosis
• Patients with lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Patients with gastrointestinal disease
• Other rare conditions including rheumatiod diseases

Medical rehabilitation treatments

We use the latest therapies to help you regain your strength and mobility after an injury or illness. We determine the best therapies for you based on your medical condition, age and other factors.

Our therapies include:

• Physical therapy: Using strength training, endurance training and other exercises to help rebuild your strength and help you move more freely and comfortably. Our physical therapists tailor these exercises to you, whether you need specialized cardio exercises after heart problems or to improve your balance after a foot or leg problem.
• Occupational therapy: Helping you get back to your everyday activities after injury or illness. These therapists believe that using real life activities – like cooking after a stroke or skills to help you return to work after a major surgery – can accelerate recovery. Our therapists will work with you to find activities that motivate you and make therapy something you look forward to.
• Speech-language pathology: Helping patients prevent, assess and diagnose speech and communication issues. This includes everything from helping people who have had nerve or muscle injuries improve their speech to helping patients who have had throat surgery overcome swallowing problems.

Your care team

Your care team may include many types of experts, depending on your needs. Our team includes:

• Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors: Who work with your physician to create your care plan and oversee your care.
• Physical therapists: Who help you build your strength, endurance and mobility.
• Occupational therapists: Who help you gain the strength and skills you need to go back to work, school or daily life.
• Nurses: Who oversee many aspects of care supporting patients through everything from skincare to understanding medicines and their side effects.
• Speech pathologists: Who help you address problems with brain function, swallowing, speech and language.
• Psychologists: Who help you cope and find ways to stay mentally healthy.
• Case managers: Who help patients manage ongoing medical care helping with things like navigating insurance and connecting patients with resources and services.
• Chaplains: Who can support you and your loved ones, no matter what denomination, faith or spiritual belief.
• Social workers: Who support families by helping them find financial assistance, connecting them with support groups and more.