Therapy Services

Our specially trained occupational therapists evaluate and treat a variety of medical conditions, including:

Muscular Skeletal Conditions – shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand:

• Arthritic Conditions
• Chronic pain
• Joint pain
• Muscular pain
• Pre-and Post-Surgical Rehab
• Weakness
• Tendonitis/Bursitis
• Sprains/Strains
• Splinting

Neurological Conditions:

• Balance difficulties
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Concussion Syndrome
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Stroke
• Vision Dysfunction (learn about Vision Therapy)

Home Environment Modifications:

• Home safety assessments
• Recommendations for home modifications
• Low vision adaptations
• Adaptive equipment training and recommendations
• Energy conservation and work simplification
• Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and cooking assessments

Wheelchairs/Scooters/Power Wheelchair Assessments:

• Evaluation for seating and positioning
• Training on safety and proper use

Cognitive Concerns:

• Memory screening and testing
• Driver Off Road Assessment (DORA) – testing for driving concerns

Lymphedema:

• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Bandaging
• Kinesiotape
• Assist with obtaining a lymphatic pump
• Assist with obtaining compression

Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Athletic / Sports-Related Injuries
Work-Related Injuries
Workstation Modifications

Specialty OT Certifications

Staff are certified in specialties such as lymphedema, modalities for pain (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, and low-level laser therapy), cognitive testing, Graston Technique, IASTM (HawkGrips), Dementia Capable, LSVT BIG® program, and Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM).

Referral to Occupational Therapy

If you have questions or are interested in receiving occupational therapy services, please contact your physician for a referral or call the therapy department at 320.334.5801.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Experienced Speech Therapist Brianna Hennen enjoys helping patients and especially, seeing their progress and the impact it has on their daily lives.

Speech-language therapy can be beneficial to individuals who suffer from the following problems:

• Articulation and/or language delay
• Cleft Palate
• Head injury
• Hearing loss and deafness
• Learning disability
• Neurological disorders such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s Disease
• Stroke

We have experienced staff with additional training and certifications in:

• LSVT LOUD® program
• VitalStim® swallowing treatment
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
• Beckman Oral Motor Protocol
• Dementia Capable Program
• Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT)

Conditions we treat:

• Difficulty producing/using speech
• Difficulty understanding and using language
• Difficulty with chewing/swallowing
• Stutter
• Difficulty with memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive deficits

Referral to Speech Therapy

If you have questions or are interested in receiving speech therapy services, please contact your physician for a referral or call the therapy department at 320.334.5801.

At Glacial Ridge Health System, our pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapists help children develop the skills needed to perform everyday tasks. They work with children from newborns to 21 years old who are experiencing difficulties functioning in one or more areas of their lives. Therapy consists of fun, meaningful activities which motivate them and ensure their experience is successful and enjoyable. They think it’s play, we know it works.

We care for children from birth to 21 years of age with a variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to, the following:

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
• Cognitive or Developmental Delays
• Increased or Decreased Muscle Tone
• Mental Health or Behavioral Problems
• Traumatic Injuries (brain or spinal cord)
• Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD)
• Apraxia
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Birth Injuries or Birth Defects
• Cerebral Palsy
• Down Syndrome
• Gait Deficits
• Handwriting Difficulty
• Learning Problems
• Orthopedic Conditions
• Post-surgical Conditions
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Stroke
• Torticollis (stiff neck)

Physical Therapy (PT) Referral

We are committed to using the latest technology, tests, and techniques to support children who have injuries, disabilities, and complex conditions. Our goal is to help them achieve the highest levels of independence and function possible.

If your child or a child you know 0 – 21 years of age is demonstrating any of the following, a physical therapy evaluation may be appropriate:

• Has difficulty with balance
• Falls often or is clumsy
• Appears unsafe on a playground
• Has decreased strength
• Is often tired during the day
• Has difficulty opening doors or carrying books
• Sits incorrectly in a chair
• Has difficulty getting up from the floor
• Has poor posture
• Has difficulty with coordination
• Is older than 15 months and is not walking
• Is walking on his or her toes
• Bumps into things or trips often

These treatments and services are provided through pediatric physical therapy:

• Gross Motor Skills
• Gait Training
• Strength and Endurance
• Balance and Coordination
• Adaptive Equipment

Occupational Therapy (OT) Referral

For children, therapy focuses on the “occupations” or “jobs” of childhood such as play, socialization, self-care, and school performance. The occupation of play becomes a child’s work as it is essential for their development. We help children develop the skills needed for functional independence in important developmental areas.

If your child or a child you know 0 – 21 years of age is demonstrating any of the following, an occupational therapy evaluation may be appropriate:

• Difficulty tolerating clothing or clothing changes; socks, jeans
• Overly sensitive to sensory stimulation such as smells or noises; covers ears
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, difficulty getting up in the morning
• Struggles with transitions from task to task; frequent crying/tantrums with changes in routine
• Poor attention while completing tasks, easily distracted
• Poor balance; doesn’t ride a bike, doesn’t climb, falls frequently
• Isolates self from others
• Frequently runs into others, no awareness of self or others’ space
• Avoids fine motor tasks such as using crayons, Legos, fasteners on clothing
• Experiences difficulty learning new motor tasks such as jumping and climbing
• Appears floppy, weak, slumps when sitting/standing, prefers activities requiring little movement
• Cannot calm self by sucking on a pacifier, looking at toys, listening to your voice
• Limited diet; refuses to try new foods, gags when trying new tastes, textures
• Appears extremely anxious, states frequent fears of benign things
• Overwhelmed on the playground, during recess, music class, gym class

These treatments and services are provided through pediatric occupational therapy:

• Executive Functioning
• Fine Motor Skills
• Handwriting
• Reflex Integration
• Sensory Diet
• Sensory Integration
• Self-Care Skill
• Upper Extremity Function
• Vision Therapy

Speech Therapy (ST) Referral

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with children to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders.

If your child or a child you know 0 – 21 years of age is demonstrating any of the following, a speech therapy evaluation may be appropriate:

• Does not follow simple two-step directions involving familiar objects; get the ball and put it on the table
• Is not understood by adults and peers at least 50% of the time
• Does not show interest in communicating with others
• Poor vocabulary and/or difficulty recalling meanings of new words learned
• Difficulty with memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive deficits
• Difficulty remembering names and overuses words like “it”, “thing”
• Does not respond to name and simple instructions (ex. come here, stop) by 12-16 months
• Prefers gestures such as pointing to communicate instead of talking by 18 months
• Speech is interrupted; stuttering, prolonged sounds, hesitations
• Difficulty swallowing; frequent coughing/choking or chewing for a long time when eating and drinking

Referral to Pediatric Therapy Services

If you have questions or are interested in receiving pediatric therapy services, please contact your child’s physician for a referral or call the therapy department at 320.334.5801.

Specialty PT Certifications

Our experienced staff are certified in specialties such as vertigo, LSVT BIG® program, manual therapy, pelvic floor therapy (for urinary incontinence/leakage), blood flow restriction therapy, modalities for pain (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, traction, and low-level laser therapy), and Graston Technique. Additional staff certifications include Orthopaedics Clinical Specialist (OCS), Dry Needling (CMTPT – Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist), and Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS).

Specialty OT Certifications

Staff are certified in specialties including lymphedema, modalities for pain (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, and low-level laser therapy), cognitive testing, Graston Technique, IASTM (HawkGrips), Dementia Capable Program, LSVT BIG® program, and Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), in addition to specialty training in vision therapy.

Specialty ST Certifications

Our therapists have specialty certifications in the LSVT LOUD® program, VitalStim® swallowing treatment, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, Dementia Capable Program, and Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT).

The primary goal of our sports medicine program is to help prevent and assess athletic injuries in children, adolescents, and adults. Glacial Ridge Sports Medicine staff, including Athletic Trainer Kelly Shaner, provide athletic training services at Minnewaska Area Schools.

Three Objectives of Sports Medicine:

• Help staff, coaches, parents, and players learn the steps to take through training, nutrition, and injury-prevention techniques that lessen the chance of a musculoskeletal injury
• Provide on-site evaluation and treatment to stabilize a significant musculoskeletal injury and/or evaluate the athlete for a potential head injury
• Help Minnewaska students return to physical activity at a level they are able to do safely while still healing. In the case of a concussion, the ImpACT software provides valuable insight into cognitive function and assists medical staff with a progressive return to the learning environment. Working cooperatively with local therapy departments and providers assisting with the student’s recovery, our athletic trainer monitors their symptoms and assesses function throughout their progressive return to athletics until there are no restrictions.

We have experienced staff with additional certifications such as:

• ImPACT

If you have questions, please call the therapy department at 320.334.5801.

Women’s Health – Pelvic Floor

Our two physical therapists with specialty certification in pelvic floor therapy are MiKayla and LaNita.

Conditions we treat:

• Difficulty tolerating a pelvic examination
• Low back pain during pregnancy
• Weakened core strength or discomfort following delivery
• Discomfort during or following sexual intimacy
• Loss of bowel/bladder control when coughing, laughing, or sneezing
• Chronic constipation
• Frequent urination

Referral to Pelvic Floor Therapy

If you have questions or are interested in receiving pelvic health therapy services, please contact your physician for a referral or call the therapy department at 320.334.5801.

Our highly skilled therapy team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists works collaboratively with doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses to help patients manage pain, restore function, and prevent further injury.

Along with the support of our occupational therapy assistants and physical therapy assistants, the therapy team at Glacial Ridge provides you with the best care possible for optimal outcomes.

Get to Know Our Therapists

Our Philosophy

Collaborate with the healthcare team
Our staff works closely with all members of the healthcare team to provide the best possible care to each patient. Treatment programs are based on thorough evaluations and are always individualized to meet the needs of each patient.

Involve and educate the family
We emphasize the participation of the family or caregiver in each patient’s treatment program. Patients and caregivers are educated about the role of occupational therapy and/or physical therapy and are encouraged to be involved in treatment sessions whenever possible.

Provide a lifetime of care
We are dedicated to providing long-term improvement in life by decreasing pain and restoring function through physical therapy and occupational therapy whenever care is needed.