Physical Therapy Learning to Recover There is a world of difference between helping and teaching, and no one knows it better than the University of Illinois Medical Center’s physical and occupational therapists. We do more than help the patient. We teach you to do the things that make life worth living. Whether your goal is to walk again, to talk to your daughter on the phone or simply to cook a great meal, our therapists will show you how to get there. While other centers help start your recovery, we finish it with you. Recovery can take a long time. That’s why we extend access to our center to patients who have finished their formal therapy. In fact, anyone in the community can use our specialized exercise stations. Some might call this unusual. We call it teamwork. Our therapists practice teamwork every day. We collaborate with orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, pediatricians, cardiologists, nurses, speech-language pathologists, social workers, psychologists and dietitians to maximize quality But the most important members of the team are the patient and his or her loved ones. It is up to the patient to choose a treatment and follow it through. Like every great team, we need to share a single goal. Ours is to achieve each patient’s highest possible level of physical, emotional, mental and social independence. Resources for Recovery From prosthetic training to pediatric developmental evaluation, we offer one of the broadest ranges of therapy services in the country. Without access, though, our services would be useless. We designed our facilities and office hours to meet the needs of the community. We accommodate appointments from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Therapy patients in the community or anyone with special needs can access our gym in the evening. Equipment includes an accessible universal workout station. Our therapeutic pool, one of only a handful in Chicago, features accessible entry, an underwater treadmill and resistance jets. With the pool, patients recovering from surgery begin their rehabilitation sooner. Parents of young patients learn how to lead their children in water exercises. Our occupational therapy resources include an accessible bathroom and kitchen to assist you to become more independent in daily living skills. Therapy in Small Doses We are a leader in the field of occupational and physical therapy for children. A physical therapist here developed the first and only standardized test to assess the motor skills of babies born prematurely. The department also maintains a separate pediatric gym. A Leader in Therapy Therapy patients at the University of Illinois Medical Center can expect to receive the most advanced care available. Our therapists developed key areas of the profession. The department’s accomplishments include: A key role in development of evidence-based practice, now the standard model of therapy in the country. Development of the “Model of Human Occupation”, which explains the factors that motivate patients to pursue recovery. Our therapists use the principles behind this model every day. Development of the “Test of Infant Motor Performance”, the first assessment tool for premature and regular-term newborns. Editorships of Physical Therapy Journal and other leading publications. A staff of more than 30 therapists, including Ph.D.s and specialists in therapy for newborns and the elderly. Appointments For more information or to arrange an appointment, please call 1-800-842-1002.