Site search
sponsored by
Rifle Colorado | Citizen Telegram
 
Rifle Colorado | Citizen Telegram
avatar
Welcome,
Guest
 
advertisement | your ad here
 
Event Calendar
 
advertisement | your ad here
Send us your news
<< back
Thursday, September 10, 2009

Grand River physical therapy program caters to many



Amber Graby has been with Grand River Medical Center's physical therapy unit for nearly two years. The unit saw a major upgrade and expansion in June as part of the Grand River Hospital District's ongoing major expansion project.
Amber Graby has been with Grand River Medical Center's physical therapy unit for nearly two years. The unit saw a major upgrade and expansion in June as part of the Grand River Hospital District's ongoing major expansion project.ENLARGE
Amber Graby has been with Grand River Medical Center's physical therapy unit for nearly two years. The unit saw a major upgrade and expansion in June as part of the Grand River Hospital District's ongoing major expansion project.
For two years, Amber Graby has worked at the physical therapy unit at Grand River Medical Center helping people to recover after surgeries or major injuries.

She says it’s a great job — one that is highly rewarding.

“I love the connection with the people,” Graby, a resident of Battlement Mesa, said honestly. “It’s different than being a doctor where you only get a few minutes with a patient. We spend 45 minutes with them, one-on-one, two to three times a week.”

And if you liked the Grand River Medical Center physical therapy unit before, you’ve got come visit it now as the hospital district undergoes a major expansion project.

“We have a brand new physical therapy clinic, which now includes cardiac equipment, balance bars, parallel bars, a new locker room and an aquatic therapy pool for people who aren’t able to get the best workout for what we call ‘on-land’ exercises,” Graby said.

But this is not like the regular workout that you would sign up for at a public gym. The physical therapists spend 45 minutes per session with their clients who range from New Castle to Battlement Mesa and typically come in for treatment about two to three times a week.

“Physical therapy requires a doctor’s prescription and we’re not a cardiac rehab,” Graby said. “We treat people with neurological disorders, and post surgical patients.”

A new patient can expect to fill out some paperwork, including their past medical history, an evaluation and will then be tested for their strength, balance and where their pain is located and alignment issues, Graby said.

“When they come in, they’ll fill out some paperwork, giving us their past history and we’ll do an evaluation and determine where their pain is and alignment issues,” Graby said. “Every program is individualized. We’re trying to get them back to the functional goals of what they use to have.”

Like other medical treatments, physical therapy prescribed by a physician is usually covered by a person’s insurance company.

And if you happen to be in need of physical therapy in the Rifle area, you might want to make an appointment at the Grand River Hospital District’s new physical therapy unit.

Graby swears by it and says she loves her job and the work she does.

“I love the connection with the people,” she said. “It’s different than being a doctor because we’re with people for 45 minutes, one-on-one, and see them two to three times a week,” Graby said. “But it’s very rewarding.”



© 2005 - 2010 Swift Communications, Inc.