A spinal cord injury (SCI) can affect any person at any age. The goal of a spinal cord injury rehabilitation program is to provide the comprehensive care and support that is needed to successfully transition a person home.
A guiding principle in Good Shepherd’s spinal cord injury treatment approach is neuroplasticity, a life-changing concept. Mounting evidence suggests the brain and spinal cord have the ability to “rewire,” which can lead to functional return. Where once there was a permanent cognitive and/or physical deficit after a stroke, now there is hope and the potential for recovery.
Levels of Care
Your recovery from a spinal cord injury is supported by some of the most advanced treatments, research and programs.
Care Team
Good Shepherd’s spinal cord injury rehabilitation team is directed by a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The care team meets on a regular basis to assess your progress and develop or adjust your treatment goals.
- Physiatrists (doctors who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation)
- Rehab nurses
- Rehab specialists
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech and language pathologists
- Dietitian
- Social workers and chaplains
- Neuropsychologists
- Case managers
Inpatient Rehabilitation after a Spinal Cord Injury
Good Shepherd’s inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program offers a highly individualized and multi-disciplinary approach to care in the aftermath of a spinal cord injury.
This program aims to help you reach your full potential by using advanced technology and one-on-one therapy.
The CARF-accredited Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program specializes in evaluating and treating:
- Movement, function, speaking, swallowing and daily living skill impairments resulting from a spinal cord injury
- Physical and cognitive skills, promoting their improvement through leisure and sports activities
Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Centers
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network offers spinal cord injury rehabilitation for both children and adults at a number of our inpatient hospitals.
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital
The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital is an inpatient rehabilitation unit located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. Patients come to Good Shepherd for inpatient care due to our excellent care and services combined with modern medical science. We offer world-class physical, occupational and speech therapies that are tailored to address your unique rehabilitation needs.
Our team consists of specialized nurses, therapists, physiatrists, psychologists, and other experts from Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. We are passionate about helping you get your life back; one step at a time.
Admissions:
For more information, contact the Rehabilitation Hospital’s Admissions team at 1.888.44.REHAB (73422).
Address:
3200 Center Valley Parkway
Center Valley, PA 18034
Phone: 610.242.0345
Fax: 610.776.3502
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Emily Howatt Pliskatt Pediatric Unit
Good Shepherd Pediatrics is the only provider in the region offering inpatient rehabilitation with specialized programs to treat children with complex medical and congenital conditions.
The physicians, nurses and therapists at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit provide compassionate rehabilitation care to children up to age 21.
Admissions:
For more information, contact the Pediatric Unit’s Admissions team at 484.788.5492.
Address:
2855 Schoenersville Road
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Phone: 610.807.4200
Fax: 610.807.4205
Penn Medicine Rehabilitation
Penn Medicine Rehabilitation is an inpatient rehabilitation unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and managed by GSPP Rehabilitation.
Our patients choose Penn Medicine Rehabilitation for our compassionate, high-quality care and services, matched with the latest advancements in medical science. We provide personalized physical, occupational and speech therapies to meet your rehabilitation needs, as part of Penn Medicine’s continuum of care.
Address:
1800 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: 215.893.6570
Outpatient Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network offers spinal cord injury rehabilitation at a number of our outpatient locations throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
Our outpatient care helps people with spinal cord injuries transition back to their homes and communities.
Some people are admitted after discharge from Good Shepherd’s inpatient rehabilitation hospital, for ongoing rehabilitation needs that can be addressed with outpatient care. Other people may be admitted into outpatient rehabilitation directly from the hospital or after an evaluation by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network spinal cord injury providers.
Good Shepherd’s outpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation services provide lifelong care for people with spinal cord injuries or disorders via a comprehensive team of rehabilitation specialists.
Outpatient Services
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians, also known as physiatrists, provide care to maximize function, mobility and independence in patients who suffered a stroke. Physiatrists are skilled professionals who work with a treatment team to meet patients’ physical, emotional, medical and career requirements.
- Physical therapy helps manage pain, improve circulation, prevent muscle weakening, reduce muscle tightness, and promote overall wellness through exercise and stretching. Physical therapists also help patients build the necessary strength to safely move between bed and wheelchair or from sitting to standing and walking.
- Occupational therapy helps patients develop the skills for activities of daily living (ADL) so they can be as independent as possible. Developing fine muscle control, basic hygiene habits, and assistance with assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs, braces, orthoses, etc.) and home equipment are all included.
- Speech therapy to help patients whose breathing, swallowing or speech is impacted.
- Neuropsychology supports patients’ mental health with a “yes I can” perspective. Neuropsychologists specialize in how brain function relates to neurological and physical function and helps the patient and their family face diagnoses, conditions, and disabilities.
Find an outpatient rehabilitation location near you>
Physician Services for Spinal Cord Injury
Our team of highly skilled, specialized physicians are leaders in innovative rehabilitation treatments and technologies. Adults and children travel from all over the region to benefit from our expertise, compassion and leading-edge care. The Good Shepherd Physician Group offers physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatry) and neuropsychology to fully guide your recovery.
Technology
Good Shepherd uses state-of-the-art technology and proven methods to give spinal cord injury patients the highest quality care. Our clinicians evaluate each patient’s needs and determine which technologies can help them reach the highest level of recovery and participation in life.
In fact, Good Shepherd is the world’s leading clinical user of the Ekso Bionics exoskeleton, which helps patients who are unable to walk or face difficulty walking.
Spinal Cord Injury Patient Regains His Independence
It was anything but an ordinary day on the job for Wind Gap resident Ken Fairchild. Ken shares his story of working with Good Shepherd Rehabilitation to regain his independence through aquatic therapy, physical therapy and use of the Ekso Bionics exoskeleton device.
Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
This support group provides opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries to reconnect around living life with a spinal cord injury. The group is casual in nature, offering educational, recreational and supportive resources for individuals as well as for their families and friends.
Contact Good Shepherd for upcoming dates and times. Meetings are virtual.
RSVP/Questions: [email protected]
Contact Us To Get Started
To inquire about rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury, call our experts at 1.888.44.REHAB (73422) or fill out the form below.
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