Physical Therapy

Individualized Treatment Plans to Get You to Your Best

St. Luke's Physical Therapy Services specializes in promoting health and preventing physical disability. Our highly-trained therapists evaluate and treat patients who have medical or health problems, injury or pain with the goal of returning patients to the highest level of physical function.

After a thorough evaluation, our physical therapists design and implement an individualized, one-on-one treatment program. Our licensed therapists will provide therapeutic interventions to reduce pain, improve balance, strengthen muscles, restore range of motion and train or retrain an individual to perform the activities of daily living such as walking, stair-climbing, return to sports and work.

Therapeutic intervention may include:

• Exercise to improve strength and endurance
• Manual therapy for joint and soft tissue mobilization and stretching
• Gait training
• Balance training
• Modalities such as electrical stimulation, spinal traction, heat or cold and ultrasound
• Home exercise program instruction

Aquatic Therapy

St. Luke's offers aquatic therapy as a rehabilitation option. Aquatic therapy is an alternative form of rehabilitation that can be used independently or in conjunction with land-based therapy. Aquatic therapy incorporates the properties of warm water temperature, buoyancy and water resistance to create a therapeutic environment for many conditions.

Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

• Decreased pain
• Accelerated rehabilitation
• Protection of joints
• Decreased swelling
• Improvements in gait and posture
• Increased circulation
• Increased strength and endurance
• Increased range of motion and flexibility
• Increased balance and coordination

Patients with the following conditions can benefit from aquatic therapy:

• Orthopedic injury
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Back pain
• Neurologic injury or disorder
• Postsurgical
• Chronic pain syndrome
• Deconditioning

Concussion Management

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that typically occurs after a blow to the head causing subsequent headaches and dizziness. Symptoms can last for weeks or even months and may require further medical examination.

The most common and debilitating symptoms following a concussion are caused by dysfunction of the vestibular and oculomotor systems. Prolonged recovery can lead to anxiety, depression, inability to concentrate at school or work and difficulty returning to sports.

St. Luke's Vestibular Rehabilitation utilizes the latest research-based evaluation and treatment tools for Post-Concussion Syndrome to restore the function of the balance center in the brain. The goal of post-concussion therapy is to improve the function of the vestibular system in order to return to play and school.

Signs and symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Vertigo
• Difficulty concentrating
• Motion sensitivity
• Poor balance and instability

Healthy Running Program - Gait Analysis

Join our individualized program for runners of all ages and experience levels to master proper running form and stride. Our mission is to help you achieve and surpass your running goals whether you are an avid runner with marathon experience, a recreational runner wanting to stay injury-free or a new runner wanting feedback on your form.

During your one-on-one initial consultation, we offer:

• Video motion analysis reviewed with your therapist
• Functional movement analysis with further evaluation of imbalanced areas
• A thorough musculoskeletal assessment
• Evidence based, individualized recommendations on running form

While running can be one of the best things in the world for your body and soul, up to 80 percent of all runners are injured every year. Our highly-specialized and skilled physical therapists strive to not only address any underlying musculoskeletal imbalances, but use the best current evidence to identify faulty running form that may lead to injury. It is our mission to keep you running happy and healthy!

As physical therapists, movement is our specialty. As runners, helping others achieve their running goals is our passion. We love working with runners of all ages and experience levels.

The Healthy Running Program is covered by insurance with a referral from a physician.  For more information or to schedule your appointment, please call 314-205-6185.

Our Healthy Running Program is located in the Therapy Services Department at St. Luke's Desloge Outpatient Center - Building B.

Incontinence

St. Luke's offers comprehensive treatment of pelvic pain and incontinence disorders in men and women. Pelvic pain may include pain in the abdominals, buttocks, pelvic floor, tailbone, vagina, rectum, penis or testicles.

Our highly-trained and compassionate therapists understand the difficulty an individual may experience while trying to manage pelvic pain and incontinence. These diagnoses may affect every aspect of life, from one's level of physical discomfort to their emotional health. Our therapists have specialized training in pelvic health and pelvic therapy, and hold Certificates of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy and Pregnant and Postpartum Physical Therapy from the American Physical Therapy Association. At St. Luke's, our physical therapists are up to date with the latest treatment procedures to help improve the success of your goals.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy refers to hands-on treatment used by physical therapists to address muscles, joints and soft tissue. Therapists are trained in a variety of skilled techniques including manual traction, mobilization/manipulation, massage and passive range of motion stretching.

The goal of manual therapy is to increase range of motion, improve tissue mobility, minimize pain and/or reduce soft tissue swelling or restrictions. Based on your diagnosis, your physical therapist may use manual therapy techniques to facilitate your recovery.

Osteoporosis/Osteopenia

Fifty-four million Americans have low bone density. Osteoporosis is known as a silent disease, and although it is more common in women, both men and women can have osteoporosis. If you have or are at-risk for developing osteoporosis, our Bone Builders Osteoporosis program provides a comprehensive approach to help you maintain an active and healthy lifestyle while being able to participate in a safe and effective exercise program.

After a comprehensive evaluation, physical therapists will design and implement an individualized exercise program to help you maintain healthy bones for life. A physician referral is required.

Bone Builders Fitness Center Membership

Upon completion of a physical therapy assessment and recommended treatment program, individuals will have access to use of St. Luke’s Desloge Outpatient Fitness Center Monday through Friday. Comprehensive exercise programming will be based on individual needs. Our Fitness Center offers a wide variety of cardiovascular machines, weight machines, indoor walking track, and more. A physician referral is required.

Call 314-205-6881 with any questions.

Bone Builders Yoga

Bone Builders yoga classes are for anyone diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia and aid in improving flexibility, increasing core strength, and managing stress. The mat class includes standing and floor/mat poses, with the chair used as a prop. For the mat class, you must be comfortable getting up and down from the floor without assistance. 

We also offer virtual yoga classes.

Bone Builders Lecture

If you have or are at-risk for developing osteoporosis, then this program is for you. You can attend a free Bone Builders lecture about osteoporosis prevention and management taught by a pharmacist, physical therapist, and dietician.

Pelvic Health

You may benefits from physican therapy if you suffer from any of the following.

Women:

• Pelvic pain
• Pain with intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Vaginal pain (vulvodynia)
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Interstitial cystitis
• Endometriosis
• Abdominal and pelvic pain after surgery
• Coccyx pain
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Urinary urgency and frequency
• Fecal incontinence, leaking of gas
• Constipation

Men:

• Urinary stress incontinence
• Urinary urgency and frequency
• Fecal incontinence, leaking of gas
• Constipation
• Post-prostatectomy incontinence
• Post-Turp (transurethral resection of the prostate) incontinence
• Constipation
• Pelvic pain
• Rectal pain
• Abdominal pain

Pelvic pain and incontinence treatment may include:

• Assessment and improvement of muscle flexibility and strength
• Pelvic floor biofeedback or stimulation
• Pelvic floor external and internal assessment and/or treatment of the pelvic floor muscles
• Myofascial release
• Relaxation training
• Education on and individualized home exercise program

Pregnancy and Postpartum Rehabilitation

Physical therapy can be beneficial in treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunctions which occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. During pregnancy, a woman's body goes through many changes that may also bring pain and discomfort. Physical therapy can be an important part of managing pain relating to pregnancy, allowing women to more fully enjoy the pregnancy experience. Physical therapy may also benefit women in the postpartum period. Many women continue to have back pain and pelvic pain or problems post-delivery. Our specialized therapists can help treat pregnancy and postpartum dysfunctions.

We specialize in pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation for the following conditions:

• Back pain
• Pelvic pain
• Incontinence
• Sciatica
• Information on alternative delivery positions
• Pain associated with breastfeeding or caring for baby
• Diastasis Recti (separation of abdominal muscles)
• Cesarean section scar management

Vestibular Rehab (Balance and Dizziness)

St. Luke's Vestibular Rehabilitation utilizes state-of-the art technology and innovative techniques to evaluate and treat balance disorders. The goal of the Vestibular Rehabilitation Program is to improve function by helping patients regain balance control. St. Luke's therapists may also use clinical dynamic posturography testing to further assess balance impairments.

St. Luke's experienced physicians and therapists can address conditions such as:

• Dizziness
• Vertigo (BPPV)
• Loss of balance
• Gait disorders (balance disorders while walking)
• Instability
• Stroke
• Concussion Management