Treatment

Program Components

Interdisciplinary Team

Physical Therapists

Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide a clinical picture of clients involved in the assessment process and/or the treatment program.  The Physical Therapist is responsible to  provide biomechanical assessment and treatment for all spinal and peripheral joints, and work with the team to generate diagnoses, problem solve and create ongoing rehabilitation plans which will best meet each client's individual rehabilitation needs.  Physical therapy treatment can include, but is not limited to manual therapy, education regarding your problem and self-management of it, acupuncture, exercise prescription, vestibular/balance retraining, recommendation for assistive devices/walking aids/orthotics.

Occupational Therapists

Assist clients to reach and maintain their highest level of function in occupational performance areas by treatment of client limitations, education and modification of the home and work environment.  Occupational therapists provide a range of assessments and treatment including: facilitating graduated return to work/home/community activities, prescribing functional conditioning and work simulation programs, conducting functional capacity evaluations and functional ability evaluations, application of ergonomic principles and prescribing adaptive equipment to facilitate independence.

Exercise Therapists

Provide an assessment of a client’s overall fitness levels and develop conditioning programs to improve overall fitness and address specific musculoskeletal or cardiovascular concerns.  This is achieved through individual and group strength, flexibility, cardiovascular, aqua-therapy, core stability programs.

The Exercise Therapists aid clients to the return of active leisure pursuits and provides wellness and fitness education.

Psychologists

Assess and treat mental health problems and psychosocial concerns related to the motor vehicle collision.  The assessment process involves asking clients a number of questions about pain, mood, anxiety, stress, sleep, coping mechanisms, family and other social supports, and any other issues that might be affecting their mental health and physical recovery.  Treatment involves psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help clients cope more effectively with any of these areas which are causing them difficulty. Psychologists at the FIT Program can be involved quite heavily or very little in a client's overall treatment program, dependent on the client's needs.

Rehabilitation Coordinator

The Rehabilitation Coordinator facilitates client intake, participates in assessment and treatment, act as client/insurer liaison, act as a client advocate both within the program and the community and provide support for client goal setting.  The Rehabilitation Coordinator assumes responsibility for the collection, distribution and documentation of client information, for facilitating client conferences and providing the required follow-up in the active treatment phase

Dieticians

Dieticians provide education on proper nutrition for the maintenance of a healthy body weight, diabetes management and cholesterol reduction.

Although some clients may see every health professional listed above, the treatment components and professionals involved in your care is based on your rehabilitation needs.

Physical Activity

 A progressive program that improves strength, flexibility, endurance, and function that may include:

Stretching – Stretching is a tool used to develop flexibility. Clients who attend FIT often complete stretching exercises in a group setting at the beginning of their treatment day or are provided with specific individual stretches to complete during the program.

Mobility – mobility program consists of a group of exercises performed daily, that may focus on increasing flexibility, endurance, balance/coordination and strength of a specific injury site.

Strength – the focus of your strength program is to improve muscle strength and endurance, not only of a specific injury site, but the whole body.

Position tolerance – different positions are required for work and recreation. Examples of these activities include sitting, standing, bending and elevated work tasks.

ADL (Activities of Daily Living) – the focus of ADL is to increase independence with all household and self-care activities by learning proper body mechanics and strategies to minimize fatigue.

Functional Conditioning – a program is developed to simulate tasks that with help you become independent with these tasks you perform at work or at home.

Psychosocial interventions include:

Individual Counseling – All clients have a member of the psychology staff assigned to their treatment team. You may explore issues that have arisen from the motor vehicle collision including changes in relationships, work, and feelings about yourself more generally. Individual pain management training is also often included.

Relaxation Training – Relaxation is one of the basic skills for effective self-management of pain. Each client is scheduled for six 1-hour sessions of small group relaxation training, typically beginning in the first month of the program.

Group Education Sessions – There are several sessions available to discuss and learn more about issues common to the experience of managing ongoing pain or limitations.