Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics (SORCC)

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service

Mission/Vision   

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) under the direction of the Administrative Officer of Rehabilitation, supports the SORCC’s mission, vision and goals through the provisions of therapeutic restoration for the eligible Veteran in attainment of physical, social, emotional, and economic self-sufficiency for the optimum adaptation to the community.

Scope of Service 

PM&R is a medical specialty characterized by the utilization of diagnostic, physical, psychosocial, educational, and vocational activities for the prevention, diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of veterans with physical, medical, mental, or vocational disabilities. At this facility, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service consists of the following therapies and treatment clinics:

• Manual Arts Therapy (also known as Compensated Work Therapy or Vocational Rehabilitation Therapy) utilizes vocational rehabilitation programs to evaluate the patient’s physical, social and emotional skills. Emphasis is placed on learning acceptable work habits and skills while at the same time improving self-image, and social abilities. Patients may participate in a work regimen that offers monetary incentives derived from private industry work contracts with the goal of achieving transition to employment in the community and/or other levels of the employment services continuum of care.
  
• Occupational Therapy provides objective neuromuscular and functional evaluations for referred patients; additionally the program:
   
  • Develops and implements specific treatment programs to help patients obtain maximum functional independence and self-care activities (ADL's).
  • Provides splints and assesses for other adaptive equipment when necessary.
  • Offers specialized treatment of upper extremity and hand disorders to include but not limited to ultra sound, iontophoresis, electrical stimulation, thermo-modalities (heat/cold), transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS).
  • Provides physical capacity evaluations and a therapeutic milieu, which encourages awareness of and improvement in self-image, and individual living skills.
  • Provides evaluation and training for mobility aids
  • Educates patients, families and caregivers about disease and/or injury to optimize the highest degree of independence and personal satisfaction.
    
• Physical Therapy provides objective evaluation of muscle strength and joint
  function. It also develops and implements specific individualized treatment programs for patients with a variety of acute or chronic neuromuscular or skeletal problems including, but not limited to: pain, joint limitations, infection, paresis or paralysis, cardiopulmonary or neurological disease, and vascular insufficiency. Various modalities including ultra sound, iontophoresis, electrical stimulation, thermo-modalities (heat/cold), hydrotherapy (whirlpool, steam and sauna), traction, and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), associated with therapeutic exercise are employed in patient treatment. Physical Therapy provides evaluation and training for ambulatory aids, educates patients, families and caregivers about disease and/or injury to optimize the highest degree of independence and personal satisfaction.
  
• General Physiatry/EMG Clinic provides physician directed consultation, evaluation, electromyography testing and nerve conduction studies for complex patients with diseases, impairments and or suspected neuromuscular disorders limiting their functional independence. This may include prosthetic, orthotic, SCI, radiculopathy, carpal tunnel, nerve entrapment syndromes, peripheral nerve injury, peripheral neuropathy, motor neuron disease and myopathy patients. Appropriate rehabilitation programs, mobility/ambulatory, prosthetic/orthotic devices and  or durable medical equipment items may be prescribed. Treatment recommendations may be provided back to the Primary Care Provider. Needles used for electromyography are sterile, pre-packed and disposable.
   
• Podiatry Clinic provides physician directed oversight of all foot evaluations follow    
  up care and LPN treatments. Treatment may include toenail care, diabetic foot care and wound care. Appropriate orthotic and footwear may be prescribed, and other recommendations may be provided back to the Primary Care Provider.