Specialty Therapies

It is important to connect with the right specialist or specialty therapy that fits your needs. Baptist Health offers a variety of specialty therapies within their rehabilitation services and programs. Specialty therapies include:

Physical therapy

The physical therapy department consists of 3 areas of concentration, including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient services. The main goals of physical therapy are to restore range of motion and improve coordination, strength, gait (ability to walk), wheelchair mobility, and balance in the body.

Examples of specialty therapies within physical therapy might include:

  • Aquatic therapy [Offered at 3 locations]
  • Manual therapies
  • Therapy for vestibular disorders (helps improve dizziness and balance issues)
  • Pediatric rehabilitation therapies to help developmental or physical problems
  • Arthritis therapy
  • Dry needling
  • Blood flow restricted therapy
  • Chronic pain therapies
  • Non-healing wound therapy [Offered only at specific locations] 

Note that not all therapies are offered at every Baptist Health location.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession that focuses on helping individuals achieve and maintain independence in their daily lives. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who may be facing physical, cognitive, emotional, or developmental challenges that affect their ability to participate in meaningful activities or "occupations."

The primary goal of occupational therapy is to empower individuals to participate in meaningful activities independently. This can include self-care tasks, work-related activities, leisure pursuits, and community engagement.

Occupational therapy is applicable in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, community health organizations, and private practices. The goal is to enable individuals to lead fulfilling lives by maximizing their independence and participation in daily activities.

Speech and language therapy

At Baptist Health, our speech-language pathologists provide a wide variety of services to evaluate and treat swallowing problems, communication and thinking difficulties, and voice disorders. We serve newborns, children, and adults. Our speech and language pathology services are available on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

  • Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia)
    • Clinical Swallow Evaluation
    • Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS)
    • Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
    • Swallowing Therapy
    • Feeding Problems
    • Head and Neck Cancer
    • Certified McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program
    • Board Certified Specialists in Swallowing and Swallowing
       
  • Speech, Language, & Cognition
    • Stroke Recovery
    • Communication Disorders (Aphasia)
    • Motor Speech Disorders (Apraxia and Dysarthria)
    • Certified LSVT LOUD® for Parkinson’s Disease
    • Cognitive Communication Disorders (Memory, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Attention)
       
  • Voice Disorders
    • Behavioral and Functional Assessment of Voice
    • Laryngeal Videostroboscopy
    • Voice Exercises
    • Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement
    • Passy Muir Speaking Valves
    • Post Laryngectomy Voice (Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis)
       
  • Other Services Provided
    • NICU Feeding Evaluations and Interventions
    • Pediatric Services 

Certifications and specialties are not specific to all locations. Please check with the speech therapy clinic for availability.

Inpatient physical rehabilitation

Sometimes recovery requires more consistent and intensive care. At Baptist Health, we have a team of specialists who provide the best care to their patients. Our care team will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that best fits your needs and helps you reach your goal of returning home.

Inpatient physical rehabilitation may focus on areas such as rebuilding muscle strength, improving coordination and gait, performing daily tasks, learning adaptive skills, improving communication issues, addressing emotional issues, and transitioning your rehabilitation program to your home.

A new Encompass hospital is coming in June 2024.