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Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation services at HRMC Experiencing a serious accident, athletic injury or illness can make simple tasks, such as tying your shoes, walking across a room or even communicating, difficult to accomplish. HRMC’s rehabilitation team understands returning to your daily activities is an important goal for you. HRMC's rehabilitation services are here for you to help you one step, one word at a time by providing a wide range of services that can help you reach your maximum ability and independence as quickly and safely as possible.

HRMC offers rehabilitation services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. An order from your personal physician must be obtained for all therapy assessments to be completed. Please contact us for assistance in obtaining a physician order.

For more information, please contact us or call 605-353-6253.

Physical Therapy

When you have an injury, illness or surgery that affects your ability to use your body, you can trust Huron Regional Medical Center physical therapists to provide you with the personal, specialized care you need to achieve your optimal quality of life.

What does a physical therapist do?
Physical therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who can

help patients decrease pain,
improve or restore mobility,
improve strength and balance and
teach patients how to prevent future injury.

What are the benefits of physical therapy?
Physical therapy has several benefits and the expert team of HRMC therapists will work with you on your individual goals to maximize these benefits. Some of these benefits could include:

Managing pain
Avoiding surgery
Preventing injuries
Improving mobility and balance
Stroke recovery
Maximizing your movement
Assisting with managing chronic disease

What are the common reasons for physical therapy?

Injury and post orthopedic surgical therapy
Low back pain
Imbalance and fall education
Vestibular (inner ear/balance)
Pelvic alignment and SI (sacroiliac) joint therapy
Lymphedema therapy
Aquatic therapy is available for patients when traditional weight-bearing therapy is not feasible
Wound care services
UV light treatment for skin diseases, such as psoriasis
Work with children with developmental delays by providing exercises and therapeutic activities
Worksite assessments, including ergonomics and repetitive-motion injury prevention

What levels of physical therapy care does HRMC provide?
HRMC offers physical therapy in various care settings with treatment programs designed around your goals.

Acute care
Outpatient
Home health

What type of physical therapy treatments are available at Huron Regional Medical Center?
Physical therapists tailor rehabilitation according to your specific needs and abilities, following specifications given by your physician. Not only do the therapists treat injuries, but they are also experts in movement and function, teaching exercises and techniques for prevention of re-injury. Our physical therapists provide therapies and treatments in multiple areas, including:

Amputee/Prosthetic Training
Ankle/Foot Pain
Aquatic Therapy
Arthritis
Auto Accident Injuries
Developmental Delays
Dizziness/Balance Rehab
Headaches/Migraines
Hip/Knee Pain
Home Safety Assessments
Mobility Assessments
Neurological Diseases
Osteoporosis Prevention
Pelvic Health
Post-Stroke Care
Post-Surgical Care
Shoulder Pain
Spinal Cord Injuries
Sports Injuries
TMJ
Torticollis
Walking/Balance Difficulties
Workers’ Compensation Injuries

How do I schedule an appointment for physical therapy at HRMC?
Huron Regional Medical Center employs a team of physical therapists and physical therapy assistants to offer our patients convenient scheduling options. An order from your personal physician must be obtained for all therapy assessments to be completed. Please contact us for assistance in obtaining a physician order.

To schedule an appointment, please call us at 605-353-6253.

How should I prepare for my therapy session?

Make a list of any questions you may have for your physical therapists.
Write down any symptoms you've been having and for how long. If you have more than one symptom, begin with the one that is the most bothersome to you. For example, is your pain or symptom:
- Better or worse with certain activities or movements or with certain positions, such as sitting or standing?
- More noticeable at certain times of day?
- Relieved or made worse by resting?
For your physical therapy appointments, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, like you would wear to exercise.
During your first visit, your physical therapist will ask you lots of questions and perform a detailed evaluation and examination. At this visit, your physical therapist will work with you to determine your goals and will begin to develop a treatment plan.

The goal of the HRMC physical therapy team is to improve your mobility, strength and functional ability, allowing you to achieve your highest functional level and optimal quality of life all while staying close to home.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with the HRMC Physical Therapy department, please call 605-353-6253.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Cardiac rehab is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that required surgery or medical care.
Cardiac rehab is a supervised program that includes:

Physical activity.
Education about healthy living, including healthy eating, taking medicine as prescribed, and ways to help you quit smoking.
Counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health.

What are the benefits of cardiac rehab?
Cardiac rehab can have many benefits to your health in both the short and long-term, including:

Strengthening your heart and body after a heart attack.
Relieving symptoms of heart problems, such as chest pain.
Building healthier habits, including getting more physical activity, quitting smoking, and eating a heart-healthy diet.
Reducing stress.
Improving your mood. People are more likely to feel depressed after a heart attack. Cardiac rehab can help prevent and lessen depression.
Increasing your energy and strength, making daily activities easier, such as carrying groceries and climbing stairs.
Making you more likely to take your prescribed medicines that help lower your risk for future heart problems.
Preventing future heart problems and death. Studies have found that cardiac rehab decreases the chances you will die in the five years following a heart attack or bypass surgery by around 20-30 percent.

There are three levels to cardiac rehab:

Phase I Cardiac Rehab – exercise therapy provided on an inpatient basis to help initiate activity, monitor tolerance and teach basic home activity and exercises. Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances typically cover Phase I Cardiac Rehab.
Phase II Cardiac Rehab – exercise therapy provided on an outpatient basis. Patients are monitored and typically supervised. Therapists provide education on continuing recovery, activity and diet. Therapy typically occurs three times per week for 4-12 weeks. Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances typically cover Phase II Cardiac Rehab.
Phase III Cardiac Rehab – continuation of exercise therapy for outpatients with at least two coronary risk factors (e.g., obesity, history, age or high blood pressure.) Phase III is a maintenance program that typically occurs four times per week. Therapists visually monitor progress and look for possible health issues, which may need to be referred to your physician. Patients are not monitored electronically during exercises. Phase III Cardiac Rehab is on a selfpay basis.

For more information, please call the HRMC cardiac department at 605-353-6251.

EECP Therapy

Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive treatment that creates new blood vessels to improve circulation and reduce pain. Cardiac patients, who are not a candidate for other traditional treatment options, receive this therapy to help relieve symptoms of angina and shortness of breath.

A series of blood pressure-like cuffs are positioned from the leg calves on up to your buttocks, which contract to create collateral circulation to the heart and reduce chest pain from blockages.

Patients receive EECP therapy daily for one-hour treatment sessions, Monday through Friday, for a total of 35 treatments – average total treatment duration is approximately seven weeks. Results typically last 2-5 years. After completing EECP therapy, patients are encouraged to enroll in a Phase III Cardiac Rehab program or engage in a home exercise program.

Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances typically cover EECP therapy. For more information, please call the HRMC cardiac department at 605-353-6251.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program for people who have chronic (ongoing) breathing problems. It can help improve your ability to function and quality of life. Pulmonary Rehab does not replace your medical treatment. Instead, you use them together.

Pulmonary Rehab is an outpatient program at HRMC. During Pulmonary Rehab, you’ll work with a HRMC’s team of health care providers to find ways to lessen your symptoms, increase your ability to exercise, and make it easier to do your daily activities.

What Are the Benefits of Pulmonary Rehab?
Pulmonary Rehab helps participants:

Increase knowledge of lung disease and how to manage symptoms
Improve sense of well-being
Maintain or improve strength
Improve adherence to healthy lifestyle choices
Reduced anxiety

HRMC’s pulmonary rehab program is a six-week program that teaches patients how to reduce or control the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, congestive heart failure and cystic fibrosis, in order to be able to perform daily activities.

The program is suited to the individual patient’s abilities and includes exercises that are monitored for safety that involve respiratory muscle training, breathing exercise, relaxation and panic control. HRMC’s therapists will provide you with information on:

Lung disease education.
How to properly take your medications and breathe with optimal oxygen exchange.
Energy conservation techniques to perform daily living functions with least amount of energy.
How to reduce stress.
Proper nutrition, swallowing safety, posture and gait.
Exercise techniques to help increase strength and lung capacity. Participation in a Phase III Cardiac Rehab program is recommended for strength exercising.

Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances typically cover pulmonary rehabilitation costs.

HRMC staff are also certified by the American Lung Association in tobacco cessation teaching. The instructors can provide information and assistance on developing a plan for quitting. For more information call, 605-353-6253 or visit www.sdquitline.com.

Occupational Therapy

When you have an injury, illness, or surgery disrupts your life you can trust Huron Regional Medical Center occupational therapists to provide you with the personal, specialized care you need to achieve your optimal quality of life.

What does an occupational therapist do?
Occupational therapist are licensed healthcare professionals who help patients return to everyday activities we often take for granted, like cooking, dressing and bathing. By using specialized exercise programs or adaptive equipment, HRMC therapists help increase movement, strength, endurance and independence.

These treatments are provided for people who have had surgery (hip, knee, shoulder and hand), those who suffer from arthritis or a muscle or nerve disease, or those who have had an accident that causes problems completing everyday activities.

HRMC’s therapy and education includes:

Evaluation and treatment of children or adults who have an illness or injury and would benefit from increased function in daily activities.
Treatment using functional activities (e.g., daily activities such as grooming, cooking, fine/gross motor activities, etc.)
Energy conservation, joint protection or work simplification.
Training on use of assistive devices (e.g., reacher, sock-aid, etc.) and adaptive equipment (e.g., grab bar, shower bench, etc.)
Focus on improving upper extremity strength and coordination through exercise and functional activities.

What are the benefits of occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy has several benefits and the expert team of HRMC therapists will work with you on your individual goals to maximize these benefits. Occupational therapy can help overcome and/or develop strategies to cope with:

Mobility and seating problems due to developmental disorders, arthritis, a spinal cord injury or simply the aging process.
Managing pain due to an automobile accident, burns, incorrect lifting, arthritis, repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Fatigue due to a heart condition, multiple sclerosis, depression, stress, strokes, etc. Returning to work after an injury or prolonged illness.
Relearning and finding new ways to manage home-making activities after a brain injury or acute mental illness.
Discovering memory aids and other tricks for people who complain of poor memory due to aging, Alzheimer’s, stress, etc.

Occupational therapy can help prevent:

Unnecessary hospital stays or premature nursing home admissions.
Work injuries due to poor work station positioning, unrealistic pacing and other organizational and psychosocial strains.
School dropouts due to poor attention spans, or reading and writing difficulties.
Unemployment among people with a developmental disability or people with a mental illness.

What type of occupational therapy treatments are available at Huron Regional Medical Center?
Occupational Therapy modalities used at HRMC can include, but not limited to:

Hand therapy
Cognitive retraining
Development pediatric services
Geriatric rehabilitation
Activities of daily living retraining.

How do I schedule an appointment for occupational therapy at HRMC?
Huron Regional Medical Center employs a team of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to offer our patients convenient scheduling options. An order from your personal physician must be obtained for all therapy assessments to be completed. Please contact us for assistance in obtaining a physician order.

How should I prepare for my therapy session?

Make a list of any questions you may have for your occupational therapists.
Write down any symptoms you've been having and for how long. If you have more than one symptom, begin with the one that is the most bothersome to you. For example, is your pain or symptom:
- Better or worse with certain activities or movements or with certain positions, such as sitting or standing?
- More noticeable at certain times of day?
- Relieved or made worse by resting?
For your occupational therapy appointments, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, like you would wear to exercise.
During your first visit, your occupational therapist will ask you lots of questions and perform a detailed evaluation and examination. At this visit, your occupational therapist will work with you to determine your goals and will begin to develop a treatment plan.

The goal of the HRMC occupational therapy team is to improve your mobility, strength, and functional ability, allowing you to achieve your highest functional level and optimal quality of life all while staying close to home.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with the HRMC Occupational Therapy department, please call 605-353-6253.

Speech Pathology

Speech therapy is the treatment for patients (children and adults), with speech and language disorders. Huron Regional Medical Center’s speech pathology department offers a full program of diagnosis and treatment of patients with swallowing, speaking and thinking problems caused from injury, stroke, neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, development delays and voice problems.

People with communication disorders are young, old and in-between. Their problems may have existed from birth or resulted from disease or accident. Some communication disorders include:

Swallowing Disorders – known as dysphagia. This usually occurs as a result of illness, surgery, stroke or injury.
Aphasia – a language disorder caused by stroke, drug use, brain injury or illness. A person with aphasia may be truly at a loss for words – unable to say even his or her own name.
Language Disorders – including difficulty making sense of the environment, comprehending spoken language or communicating thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Voice Disorder – when people speak too high or too low, or when the quality of voice is affected (such as having a hoarse, breathy or nasal voice).
Cognitive Communication Disorders – more common in adults after head injury or stroke. These disorders make it difficult to think clearly, remember or problem solve.
Articulation Disorders – difficulties making sounds correctly. Like stuttering, these problems often begin in childhood and become lifelong challenges. They may occur later in life as a result of stroke, injury or illness.
Stuttering – although no one knows exactly what causes it, this is the most commonly recognized speech problem.

By assessing the speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing skills, HRMC’s speech pathologists can determine what type of communication problems you have and the best way to treat these challenges. HRMC offers therapy and education that includes:

Creating sounds – If you have a consistently hoarse voice, behaviors, such as frequent throat clearing, talking too loudly or having too much tension in your throat, may be contributing to your voice problems. HRMC's speech therapist can help you to identify and change these behaviors.
Forming words – If you have experienced a stroke or other brain injury or have undergone surgery or chemotherapy, the coordination of your muscles used for speaking may have been impaired or weakened. Speech therapy can help strengthen these muscles and provide methods to modify muscle movements that produce speech sounds.
Breathing – If you have undergone a tracheotomy procedure, which inserts a tube into your windpipe to help you breathe, making sounds may be difficult. HRMC's speech therapist can assist you in developing the best techniques for communicating and adjusting to a new way of speaking.
Swallowing – A stroke, progressive neurological disease or mouth or throat cancer can affect how you consume your meals. HRMC's speech therapist will evaluate how you swallow and recommend a diet and techniques that can make swallowing easier and exercises to strengthen weak oral and throat muscles.
Volume – If you are unable to speak loudly or have a hoarse voice, this may be a result of an injury, tumor, disease, surgery or stroke. Speech therapy can teach you to adjust your pitch and increase your breathing capacity needed to make your voice more audible.

How do I schedule an appointment for speech therapy at HRMC?

An order from your personal physician must be obtained for all therapy assessments to be completed. Please contact us for assistance in obtaining a physician order.

How should I prepare for my therapy session?

Make a list of any concern or questions you may have for your speech therapist.
During your first visit, your speech therapist will ask you lots of questions and perform a detailed evaluation and examination. At this visit, your speech therapist will work with you to determine your goals and will begin to develop a treatment plan.

The goal of the HRMC speech therapy team is to assist HRMC patients to communicate in more useful and functional ways all while staying close to home.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with the HRMC Speech Therapy department, please call 605-353-6253.

Wound Care

At HRMC, our team of physical therapists, registered nurses and physical therapist assistants care for individuals with a variety of acute or chronic skin care conditions, including cellulitis, dermatitis, burns, diabetic and non-diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds and swelling in extremities, just to name a few.
The trained, caring professionals from the HRMC wound care team will work with you, your family and your physician to develop a plan of care designed to heal your skin condition and wounds to get you back on track as soon as possible.

The wound care team at HRMC uses a wide range of therapies to treat chronic wounds, from special dressings and skin substitute products to ultrasound and electrical stimulation that can jumpstart the healing process. Healing chronic wounds takes more than advanced treatments and expertise – it also takes patient education.

Many people each year are affected by chronic open sores that fail to heal in a timely manner. A chronic wound is one that fails to respond to appropriate treatment in a three-month period. We customize treatments for the following types of wounds:

Diabetic foot ulcers
Venous leg ulcers
Arterial ulcers
Osteomyelitis with open wounds
Radiation-related tissue damage
Nonhealing surgical wounds
Chemical and thermal burns
Assessment of skin issues, including but not limited to vascular, arterial or neuropathic wounds, diabetic wounds, burns, trauma, rashes, pressure ulcers, moisture associated wounds and many other skin issues
Daily, weekly or as-needed wound assessment, wound care and dressing changes
Ultrasound and electrical stimulation to promote wound healing
Total Contact Cast application to off-load your foot ulcer and promote faster healing
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (commonly called wound vacuum) application and management
Individualized physical therapy plan to keep you going while your body heals
Education on the principles of wound healing and importance of medication management, good nutrition and self-care at home
Compression wrapping
Debridement
Ostomy complications

What do I need to do to receive wound care?
Most often your healthcare provider will make a referral, but patients and families may call us with questions and wound care needs. If needed, we can talk to your provider.

Who pays for services?
Typically, your insurance and Medicare benefits cover wound care services. Our staff will check for you prior to your first visit to be sure your wound care visit is covered.

For more information, call 605-353-6252, contact us online or stop by our clinic located on the third floor of the HRMC Central Tower.

Lymphedema

When you have lymphedema, you can trust Huron Regional Medical Center therapists to provide you with the personal, specialized care you need to achieve your optimal quality of life.

What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema, a condition marked by swelling of the arms, legs, head or neck, is typically due to damage to the lymphatic system, which disrupts the drainage of lymph fluid, thereby causing the fluid to build up. Although there is no cure for the condition, lymphedema therapy can help patients learn to manage their symptoms.

What causes lymphedema?
This condition may occur for a variety of reasons including cancer, cancer treatment, surgery, injury, infection or as a complication from other medical conditions. Although swelling can be mild, for some patients, the swelling is severe enough to limit mobility.Other symptoms include recurring infection, discomfort in the affected limb and hardening of the skin.

What is the therapy for Lymphedema?
Lymphedema therapy is a conservative treatment. It’s noninvasive, there’s no surgery, and it is not painful. The therapy includes four techniques:

Manual lymph drainage uses a massage technique to reroute the lymph fluid.
Compression bandaging, or wrapping the affected limbs, keeps the fluid out.
Skincare combats the skin breakdowns, infections and wounds to which patients with lymphedema are more susceptible.
Exercises pump the muscles within the affected limbs, which pump fluids out.

How do I schedule an appointment for lymphedema therapy at HRMC?
If you or a loved one suffers from swelling of the arms, legs, neck or head, contact your healthcare provider or HRMC. Lymphedema therapy is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurances. For more information, call 605-353-6252, contact us online or stop by our lymphedema clinic located on the third floor of the HRMC Central Tower.

How should I prepare for my lymphedema therapy session?

Make a list of any questions you may have for the HRMC lymphedema team.
For your lymphedema therapy appointments, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, like you would wear to exercise.
During your first visit, you will receive a detailed evaluation and examination. At this visit, your lymphedema specialist will work with you to determine your goals and will begin to develop a treatment plan.

The goal of the HRMC lymphedema therapy team is to improve your mobility, strength, and functional ability, allowing you to achieve your highest functional level and optimal quality of life all while staying close to home.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with the HRMC Lymphedema Therapy department, please call 605-353-6252.