Physical Therapy

Treating an array of patients

Hackensack University Medical Center offers comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services to our patients addressing any limitations following injury, illness or surgery. As part of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, our compassionate team of highly skilled physical therapists assess your individual needs. Therapists develop a custom plan with you to achieve your goals. We also promote independence with activity or mobility and help you return to doing what matters most to you in life.

Patients may have limitations due to orthopedic, neurologic, musculoskeletal (muscle or bone), vestibular, cardiac, or oncologic diseases or disorders. Physical therapists specialize in the treatment of these disorders to select which interventions will best meet the patient’s needs. Some specific conditions treated include back pain, arthritis, rotator cuff injury or surgery, joint replacement surgery, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, amputation, stroke, brain injury, and vertigo.

The goal of restoration of function and mobility is achieved through the use of therapeutic interventions. This may include exercises for strengthening, stabilization, or flexibility or gait and balance training, manual therapy, and modalities. Modalities may include heat, cryotherapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, traction, biofeedback, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). These interventions can improve pain and decrease swelling to improve range of motion and promote healing of an injured area.

Physical Therapy services are offered at two convenient, spacious locations with free parking in Hackensack and Maywood, New Jersey. Both locations offer an interdisciplinary approach to care treating the whole person. While physiatry visits are performed in the Maywood location, therapists at both locations are in close contact with the physiatrist to ensure all aspects related to recovery are addressed. Physical therapists at the Hackensack location collaborate with occupational or speech therapy within the rehab suite and many specialty physicians in building (Neurology, Orthopedics, and Geriatrics).

The Integrative Medicine model at the Maywood location offers convenient access to behavioral wellness, nutrition, acupuncture, and chiropractic services within the same facility. Physical Therapists here work closely with physical trainers in the adjacent Fitness & Wellness center offering a continuum of care on your journey to lifelong health and wellness.

Specialty programs may vary by location:

Lymphedema Therapy (Hackensack location)
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department offers innovative treatment for lymphedema which is a condition recognized by excessive swelling in the arms, legs, or other body parts. Lymphedema exists when the lymph system is not functioning properly from the limbs resulting in swelling or lymphedema. The program provides patients with treatment modalities including Manual Lymph Drainage, compression bandaging, and compression garments, which enable patients to control the disorder.

Urinary Incontinence Program (Hackensack location)
Men and women with urinary incontinence from a variety of causes are assessed by experienced physical therapists. They receive personalized rehabilitation programs consisting of biofeedback, progressive pelvic floor strengthening exercises, bladder training programs, home programs, and other modalities. The goal of this program is to educate patients on how to properly perform pelvic floor exercises to prevent incontinence. After demonstrating the ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles, the next objective is to strengthen these muscles with the end result of improved continence and bladder control.

Vestibular Treatment (Hackensack and Maywood locations)
Patients with impaired balance due to a condition within the inner ear can be treated with a specific exercise program that incorporates emphasis on self-management for continued control of the problem. The focus of vestibular treatment revolves around positioning activities and individualized home programs to improve balance and patient safety.

Aquatic Therapy (Maywood location)
Some conditions respond well to therapeutic exercise in warm water. Upon initial evaluation, your physical therapist may determine if this treatment is right for you. Aquatic therapy is offered in a warm, salt water therapeutic pool. The buoyancy of the water supports your body weight making it easier and more comfortable to exercise. The goal is to transition to a land exercise program and functional mobility on land. (We are not fish. Thus, we have to function out of the water!)