June 2007

Patients requiring physical therapy now have a convenient option for care: PAMF's Department of Physical Therapy. The department opened in December in the new Clark Building on the Palo Alto campus. It offers treatment for and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and postoperative care, except for neurological disorders (stroke and spinal injuries) and injuries below the elbow (such as hands). (The department does not provide treatment for patients who are covered by workers' compensation insurance for injuries and illnesses sustained in the workplace.)

The department's licensed physical therapists are highly qualified and trained in the Australian-based model of care, which emphasizes constant reassessment both during a therapy session and between sessions to ensure strict continuity of measurements.

"Our individualized treatment plans combine hands-on manual therapy, a customized exercise program, and patient education for adult patients of all ages and children 8 years of age and older," said Marc Guillet, P.T., OCS, ATC, director of the Physical Therapy Department.

The full-service department features state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipment, including an Olympic lifting platform; an Alter-G Trainer treadmill that provides patients with a minimum-impact workout with reduced body weight; and a SwimEx™ pool that provides deep-water, no-impact resistance for aquatic therapy.

"The pool has different wave speed settings, so we can customize a patient's exercises from non-weight bearing to increasing levels of weight-bearing activities," said Haideh Plock, MSPT, OCS, ATC, manager of the department. "The pool is ideal for patients who have recently had surgery to begin a gentle exercise routine aided by the buoyancy of water."

The department also offers a Biodex Isokinetics System™ that allows therapists to accurately test and train a patient's isolated joints and surrounding muscles in biomechanically correct positions and speeds; and a Gait Trainer™ that provides audio and visual feedback of a patient's walking pattern, among other equipment.

"With the Biodex Gait Trainer, we can help patients develop efficient, flowing movements and relieve any pain they are experiencing while walking," said Guillet.

Some of the therapists are also certified in Polestar Pilates, a rehabilitation-based method of conditioning exercises, and Power Pilates, a classical-based method. The department features a variety of Pilates equipment, including a reformer, trapeze table and mat to help patients improve their strength, stamina, balance, coordination and flexibility, said Plock.