Physical and Occupational Therapy

Physical and Occupational Therapy in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

UMass Memorial Health provides the full range of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) services, including specialized care for complex conditions.

We offer care for: 

• Amputation
• Arthritis and chronic pain conditions
• Concussions
• Congenital (present at birth) conditions affecting mobility
• Falls and injury prevention
• Musculoskeletal injuries from sports or accidents
• Neurological conditions
• Pre- and postoperative rehabilitation

Physical Therapy

Our skilled physical therapists guide you through exercises and activities that help you increase motion, strength and balance. We offer custom orthotics, prosthetics, wheelchair evaluations and assistive devices. Our therapists also specialize in the latest approaches to pain relief, including dry needling and the Graston Technique, a manual mobilization therapy for soft tissue injuries. We offer outpatient care at locations across the region, as well as inpatient rehabilitation for patients after a hospital stay or surgery.

Occupational Therapy

Outpatient OT services are available in all UMass Memorial locations across Central Massachusetts. This therapy helps you perform everyday functions at home and work, such as writing, using a computer, dressing, cooking and eating. It can also improve cognitive (thinking) and visual skills. We help you find healthy ways to work, learn and play.

At UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional, we use special simulation machines to duplicate hundreds of daily functions that you may encounter at home or work. Simulators are equipped with attachments such as a steering wheel, doorknob and screwdriver. You practice everyday movements, enabling you to become more independent and return to regular activities.

Specialized Rehabilitation Services

• Breast cancer physical therapy
• Hand therapy
• Lymphedema therapy
• Neurologic rehabilitation
• Pediatric rehabilitation
• Sports physical therapy
• Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) therapy
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Work injury rehabilitation

Breast Cancer Physical Therapy

We offer pre- and postoperative services for people having breast cancer surgery. We help restore upper extremity strength, improve scar mobility, correct muscle imbalances and posture and ease swelling. Our physical therapists also offer specialized care for lymphedema.

Lymphedema Therapy

The pain and swelling from lymphedema can interfere with your life. We can help. Our skilled, compassionate lymphedema therapists provide noninvasive treatments to manage symptoms and help you regain your function. Our lymphedema treatments include: 

• Complete decongestive therapy (CDT): We drain excess lymph fluid using manual (hand) techniques and compression bandages.
• Compression garment fitting: Compression garments (tight-fitting, elastic pieces of clothing) can help you manage swelling at home. Our therapists help you find garments that are safe and comfortable for you.
• Specialized exercises: We guide you through movements that relieve lymphedema symptoms, including stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercises. 
• Education: Knowing how to care for lymphedema at home is a key part of your treatment plan. We empower you with information about skin care and ways to manage symptoms at home.

Neurologic Rehabilitation

We provide neurologic rehabilitation, or neuro physical therapy, for patients with brain, spine or nerve damage. Our rehabilitation team also includes therapists trained in Saebo, a specialized approach to regaining arm and hand function following a neurologic injury or stroke. Conditions we treat include: 

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Cerebral palsy
• Movement disorders
• Muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases
• Parkinson’s disease
• Spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Stroke

Pediatric Rehabilitation

UMass Memorial offers comprehensive physical, occupational and speech therapy for children of all ages, from birth through school age. We treat children with developmental and speech delays related to prematurity, genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, and neurobehavioral disorders such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.

We also offer specialized care for children with feeding and swallowing issues. Whether your child has feeding difficulties related to complex medical issues, is a picky eater or has a sensory-based feeding issue, we can help. Speech therapists and other health care providers work together to address your child’s needs.

Sports Physical Therapy

Our sports physical therapists care for children and adults with all types of sports injuries. We also help athletes safely return to their sport after surgery or a concussion. UMass Memorial offers state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to sports rehabilitation. We have the space and equipment necessary to recreate almost any sport or activity to get you back in the game.

Golf Fitness Program

This program, available at UMass Memorial Medical Center – The Center for Sports and Physical Therapy, helps golfers improve their movement and prevent or recover from injuries. Our trained golf specialist guides you through golf-specific rehabilitation exercises.

We provide a 60- to 90-minute assessment of your:

• Flexibility
• Range of motion
• Strength
• Swing

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Therapy

TMD affects your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the hinge that helps your jaw move. TMD can cause jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and a clicking or popping sound when your jaw moves. Our physical therapists work with other members of your care team to understand the underlying cause of the disorder and select appropriate therapies.

TMD treatment may include: 

• Exercises for the TMJ and neck
• Lifestyle and behavior modifications, such as posture retraining and stress reduction
• Manual therapy, such as massage and joint mobilization
• Dry needling
• Electrical stimulation

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Our vestibular rehabilitation therapists have advanced training in managing inner ear problems affecting your balance or gait. Our treatment includes special exercises and maneuvers that can reduce or eliminate dizziness from:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• Ménière’s disease
• Labyrinthitis
• Vestibular neuritis

Work Injury Rehabilitation

We offer comprehensive care for work injuries, focusing on helping you safely return to your occupation as quickly as possible. Some of our locations have dedicated space for simulation tools that replicate specific job activities. We help you improve strength and endurance while educating you about proper posture, body mechanics, flexibility and pacing skills. Our team has successfully helped people in a variety of professions, including firefighters, nurses and machine operators, return to work.