Physical and Occupational Therapy

The Halifax Health Medical Center physical therapy department is dedicated to helping patients achieve the highest level of independence and enable them to return to the community. The department works with inpatients and outpatients with the goals of restoring function and mobility, decreasing pain and maximizing independence after an injury or illness. The highly-trained and licensed physical therapists and assistants provide patients with superior rehabilitative care.

Physical therapy provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment to relieve pain and/or to restore function. Physical therapists assess joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, function of heart and lungs, and performance of activities required in daily living among other responsibilities.

Treatment includes: therapeutic exercise programs, heat and cold therapies, hydrotherapy, vestibular training, electrical stimulation, traction, massage, diathermy, ultrasound, Biodex, prosthetic training, therapeutic activities, gait training, neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, complex decongestive physiotherapy, iontophoresis, proprioceptive/balance activities, lymphedema treatment and general training in activities of daily living.

Commonly treated conditions include orthopedic conditions such as low back pain or osteoporosis; joint and soft tissue injuries such as fractures and dislocations; neurologic conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Parkinson's disease; connective tissue injuries such as burns or wounds; cardiopulmonary and circulatory conditions such as congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and workplace injuries including repetitive stress disorders and sports injuries.