Physical Therapy

With eight convenient locations, Exeter Hospital rehabilitation offers comprehensive physical and occupational therapy for all orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions. Our therapists continually strive to develop their expertise in orthopedics through high level training and certification including hand therapy and orthopedics

Whether it is pre- or post-surgical, patients receive a dynamic rehabilitation treatment plan tailored to meet individualized needs. Programs may include functional activities, strengthening/conditioning, home exercises, or even aquatic therapy.
 


Physical therapy specialties:

Post Operative Orthopedic Therapy

Physical and Occupational Therapists allow patients to get the most benefit from their surgery.  Rehabilitation helps the patient not only recover from the initial surgical pain and inflammation, but also learn how to better protect the surgical area while progressing back to normal activities.

At Exeter Hospital we work closely with our own Orthopedists, Total Joint Surgeon, Physiatrists, and Neurosurgeons to create a seamless transition from surgery to rehabilitation.

 


Aquatic Rehabilitation

 

Exeter Hospital offers aquatic physical rehabilitation and post-rehab aquatic exercise. We offer these services in a full length lap pool and in a smaller warm water pool. The lap pool has a chair lift for those needing assistance in and out of the water. 

Aquatic rehabilitation is useful for the following:
  • Strength and endurance
  • Restoring range of motion
  • Minimizing pain related to injury and/or surgery
  • Balance and agility
  • Neuromuscular coordination
  • Flexibility
  • Core stabilization
Aquatic Physical Therapy

Water based rehabilitation is generally eight to twelve visits with the goal of progressing to a functional land-based rehabilitation program. The physical properties of warm water assist with exercises. Aquatic physical therapy is effective because the buoyancy of the water decreases the impact of weight bearing and lessens the force on joints. Water based therapy also assists with pain control by diminishing joint stiffness. The water environment is excellent for training the core back muscles and improving gait, strength and endurance early in the rehabilitation process.

Requirements

In order to participate in aquatic rehabilitation, you will need a prescription from your physician as well as a land-based evaluation by a physical therapist. This is necessary to determine if water based rehabilitation is appropriate and to help your therapist design a customized plan to best manage your condition.

Insurance Coverage

Most health insurance plans cover physical therapy in the pool setting. If you have any questions, please speak with our administrative staff and contact your insurance company regarding your plan’s coverage for these services.

Post Rehabilitation Aquatic Exercise

Upon discharge many patients require or elect to continue exercising in an aquatic environment. This is one way a patient may retain the benefits of therapy over an extended period of time. Participation is permitted for those patients that have been actively involved in rehabilitation services at Exeter Hospital within the prior year. We offer generalized conditioning sessions in a group setting, supervised by Rehabilitation Services staff. Please call 603-580-6548 for current pricing information, general information or to enroll in a class.

Helpful Links

 


Spine Care

The lifetime prevalence of spinal pain has been reported as 54% to 80%. This pain results in some functional disability in 23% of low back patients versus 15% with neck patients.  Persistent pain is more common in the elderly associated with functional limitations and difficulty in performing activities of daily living. Some studies show 25% to 60% of these spine patients moving onto chronic persistent low back and neck pain lasting one-year or longer after the initial episode.(Comprehensive Review of Epidemiology, Scope, and Impact of Spinal Pain).

The good news is that most cases of spine pain will respond well to conservative, proven treatments such as physical therapy.  Early Physical therapist intervention can help manage your current spine pain as well as help the patient prevent the next episode. Some of the causes of spine pain are listed in the links below:

Generalized Low Back Pain

Osteoarthritis of the Spine

Degenerative Disc Disease

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Scoliosis

Spinal stenosis

Spondylosis

Cervical Radiculopathy

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoporosis

 


Bowenwork

Some of our physical and occupational therapists have received comprehensive training and specialty certification in Bowenwork. Bowenwork is a system of touch using gentle rolling pressure on precise points of the body that initiates a series of responses throughout the nervous, musculoskeletal and fascial systems, stimulating a healing response. Bowenwork is gentle on the body and safe for all ages and stages of life. It has been effective in treating many ailments such as arthritis, concussions, migraines, TMJ, musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory issues.

Bowenwork is available at the following locations. Please call your preferred location to learn more and/or to book an appointment.
 

Exeter (PT)                                  Kingston (PT)
603-778-6548                              603-642-9425

Newmarket (PT)                          Epping (OT)
603-292-7285                               603-777-1885

 



Graston® Technique

Graston® is a trademarked soft tissue technique using stainless steel tools of particular shape to detect and resolve adhesions in the muscles and tendons.  This is one of several soft tissue techniques employed by rehabilitation providers.


Myofascial Release Techniques

Myofascial Release is a soft tissue technique involving gentle sustained pressure and stretch to reduce the restrictions and shortening of fascial connective tissue to reduce pain and restore mobility.  The therapists at Exeter Hospital typically perform myofascial release along with other soft tissue techniques to provide relief from a variety of symptoms.  


Sports Specific Training


Biomechanical Assessment

Physical and Occupational Therapists are highly educated, licensed health care professionals who help patients improve or restore mobility, reduce pain, and often help a patient to avoid surgery or recover from surgery. Therapists' education includes an extensive background in the sciences, focusing on physics, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and kinesiology. With this background, physical therapists examine the body as a whole rather than just individual body parts to determine the biomechanics which caused the current injury. This helps the patient not only feel better but also prevents re-injury (Practice Areas)

At the Athletic Performance Center of Exeter Hospital, the strength and conditioning specialists, athletic trainers, and corrective exercise specialists continue to work with a patient after injury recovery.