Rebuilding Lives: Neurologic-Based Physical Therapy for Recovery
St. Luke’s Occupational Therapist Rachel Stoddard, DPT, works with a patient in the overhead gait harness at St. Luke’s 9th Avenue Suites.
How physical therapy can help those in Duluth recovering from stroke, injuries and more
Neurologic-based physical therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals regain their independence, mobility and overall quality of life.
Whether someone has experienced a stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury, or lives with conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis, this specialized care at St. Luke’s is tailored to their unique needs and goals.
“The patients I work with want to be able to stand, walk, climb stairs, walk over grass, and do the hobbies they love safely and confidently,” said St. Luke’s Physical Therapist Rachel Stoddard, DPT. “Together we can usually find a way!”
Through assessment and discussions, Rachel or one of her PT colleagues works to gain an understanding of each patient's mobility, strength, balance, endurance and specific goals. Then, working together with the patient’s other healthcare providers, a plan for recovery is created.
Neurologic-based physical therapy can help diagnoses such as, but not limited to:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
- Ataxia
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Neuropathy
- Progressive neurological conditions
- Spasticity
This type of physical therapy is available at the new St. Luke’s 9th Avenue Suites location, on St. Luke’s Hospital campus.
“In the new space patients can learn how to complete stairs, get up off the floor, try various hobbies, or walk with a walker, cane, or prosthetic leg without the fear of falling,” said Rachel.
With features like an overhead gait harness, adaptive stair stepper and adjustable parallel bars, patients have everything needed to help them reach their goals – like enjoying golf again!
“Trying golfing in clinic gave me the confidence to try with my family on the golf course,” said one patient. “I never thought I would be back to golfing, but here I am going this afternoon!”
While recovery is no easy task, Rachel is grateful to be part of the healing process.
“Physical therapy is a safe place to be who you are,” she said. “Your body may change, your abilities may change. But this is a safe place to do hard things, together.”
A referral is not required. To schedule an appointment, call 218.249.6040 or request an appointment online.