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Physical Therapy

Whether you're dealing with a health condition that's limiting your mobility or looking for help bouncing back from surgery, the physical therapy team at Columbia Memorial Hospital can help.

Our licensed physical therapists are skilled at assessing and treating all types of conditions that may prevent you from living your best life. From daily tasks to treasured activities, we understand how frustrating it can be when you’re hurting or having trouble getting around. We will take the time to understand your goals and empower you to keep moving forward.

What we treat in our physical therapy clinic

Some of our specialty areas include:

Orthopedic injuries. Whether you need treatment for a bone or joint condition or help with your recovery after joint surgery, we can help.

Sports injuries. We help athletes of all ages regain the strength, agility and endurance needed to return to play.

Pelvic health. Both men and women can experience pelvic floor weakness and pain that can limit bowel, bladder and sexual function. Our therapists will work closely with your health care provider to treat these issues.

Vertigo and balance issues. We offer therapies to reduce your risk of falls and help you stay safe and independent.

Pediatric physical therapy. Kids can benefit from physical therapy for a variety of reasons. For example, our team can help infants who aren't rolling over on schedule or kids who are recovering from surgery. We also help children with conditions like cerebral palsy that can affect how they walk.

Assistive device evaluations. We can help determine if you would benefit from a wheelchair, cane or other walking aid. And we can teach you to use your device. We also provide evaluations for braces to correct walking difficulties.

Aquatic therapy. Water’s buoyancy allows you to exercise, move and stretch your muscles and joints with greater ease and comfort. Our physical therapists provide this program in partnership with the Astoria Aquatic Center.

Pain management. We use exercise and neurological strategies — including 3-D virtual reality training — to help you control chronic pain, regain mobility and improve your quality of life.

Blood flow restriction therapy. This relatively new therapy involves wearing a special cuff device during light weight training that helps you rapidly regain strength while reducing joint stress.

Inpatient wound care. We work alongside other CMH specialists in the hospital to heal chronic wounds and teach self-care to our patients.

Learn what a physical therapist does and when you might need one.

Reviewed 2/3/2023

PHYSICAL THERAPY QUIZ

TRUE OR FALSE?

Physical therapists (PTs) are experts in movement. They can help people reach their fitness goals and maintain independent, active lives. How much do you know about the many ways PTs can help you?

START THE QUIZ

True or false? PTs mostly treat people who are recovering from orthopedic surgery.

False. Orthopedic care is only one part of physical therapy. PTs may also help with a wide range of other issues, such as:

  • Chronic pain.
  • Developmental disabilities.
  • Heart or lung problems.
  • Cancer and lymphedema.
  • Neurological issues, like multiple sclerosis.
  • Pelvic pain.
  • Urinary incontinence.
  • Wounds.

True or false? Increasing the use of physical therapy could help alleviate the opioid epidemic.

True. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says physical therapy can be a safe and effective alternative to opioids for chronic pain. Opioids come with the risk of addiction and overdose.

True or false? Your doctor might refer you to a PT to help you avoid surgery.

True. Physical therapy has been found to work just as well as surgery for some conditions. These include:

  • Knee osteoarthritis.
  • Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder.
  • Spinal stenosis.
  • Degenerative disk disease.

True or false? PTs work almost exclusively in hospitals.

False. Many do work in hospitals. But you can also find PTs providing care in:

  • Outpatient clinics.
  • Homes.
  • Schools.
  • Sports and fitness clubs.
  • Workplaces.
  • Nursing homes.

True or false? Physical therapy can include many types of treatment.

True. PTs may use a variety of techniques depending on your health needs. Examples include hands-on manipulation, patient education, working with exercise equipment, stretching maneuvers, dry needling, exercise and aquatic therapy.

Occupational therapy can also be helpful for many people. Test your knowledge of occupational therapy by taking this quiz.

TEST YOUR SMARTS

Sources: American Physical Therapy Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Make an appointment with a CMH physical therapist

Ask your health care provider for a referral to physical therapy.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about how we can help you, please call 503.338.7555. Looking for virtual physical therapy? Oregon patients can also call us at this same number to schedule a video appointment, Monday — Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.