Skilled care: Physical Therapy

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in skilled care facilities, aiding individuals in their recovery and rehabilitation process. Skilled care physical therapy involves the use of therapeutic techniques and exercises to address impairments and improve overall functional abilities. This specialized form of therapy focuses on enhancing mobility, strength, balance, and coordination, with the ultimate goal of helping patients regain independence and improve their quality of life.

How is the Physical Therapy performed?

In skilled care settings, physical therapists work closely with patients to create treatment plans tailored to their specific needs and conditions. These plans may include a combination of manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, modalities such as heat or cold therapy, and assistive devices. Physical therapists utilize their expertise to assess patients’ functional abilities, identify areas of weakness or limitation, and design interventions to address those areas. Through regular evaluations and adjustments, physical therapists ensure that patients are progressing toward their goals and achieving optimal outcomes.

Which Patient Can Benefit from Physical Therapy?

Overall, physical therapy in skilled care provides valuable support to individuals recovering from injuries, surgeries, or medical conditions. It aims to restore physical function, reduce pain, and improve mobility, enabling patients to regain their independence and resume their daily activities. The expertise and guidance provided by skilled care physical therapists play a vital role in helping patients achieve their maximum potential and live life to the fullest.

Meet our in-house team of Physical Therapists!

Myckell Robinson went to Western Iowa Tech, in Sioux City, and has managed the Therapy Department at Via since 2017.

What I love about working with older adults: Being able to hear their stories. Where they came from, what they have been through. And its very rewarding to watch someone walk out of your doors after a skilled stay to return home after they have been through something major like a stroke or a fracture, knowing that you helped them achieve their goals.

Dr. Anthony Cox got his Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from Des Moines

University and his Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Kinesiology from Iowa

State University. He has been with Via since 2020.

What I love about working with older adults: Two things: 1. They have such great wisdom. They’ve experienced so much, lived through a lot, and have such amazing and unique depictions of life. Each of them have individual stories to tell that we can all learn tremendously from. 2. WIth a lot of patients that we work with, functional activities that most of take for granted are seen in a whole new light. Walking 5 ft may be trivial to a lot of us, but to an 80 year old recovering from a stroke or a major hip surgery, that 5 ft is a great achievement. I love being able to help people work toward those goals and celebrate those wins with them.