• Work Site Analysis - Task demands and work station set-ups are analyzed, often resulting in more productive techniques, improving employee and work environments. A review of medical management policies can result in cost effective recommendations.
• Employee Education - Group training is provided for your managers and labor force, both production workers and office staff.
• Pre-employment/Post-hire Testing - Is a new worker physically able to do the job? Northern Rehab will help you define the parameters and perform tests to objectively answer the questions.
• On-Site Clinics - Regular monthly visits provide the insight to analyze aches and pains early on, and to offer work environment suggestions.

• Clinical Physical Therapy - After injury or illness a worker has impaired functional abilities due to weakness, pain or limited motion. With therapy restrictions are decreased or eliminated so the worker may safely and quickly return to work.
• Work Conditioning - Injured employees that have been off work for extended periods often need a program emphasizing work simulation along with physical reconditioning.
  
• Work Hardening - This highly structured, goal oriented, individualized treatment program includes a psychosocial screening to identify the client's behavioral needs.
• Functional Capacity Evaluation - An evaluation of injured workers provide information on employees work capabilities and limitations. Also assessed are the client's level of participation, work behaviors, cooperation and effort.
  
  

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Manual Therapy

Manual Therapy constitutes skilled passive movement of joints and soft tissues for the purpose of stretching out restrictions within joints and connective-tissue, and decreasing pain.

Manual Therapy is an integral part of the practice of physical therapy and serves as part of the rehabilitation of spine and extremity dysfunctions. Back pain is the single greatest cause of activity loss among adults under 45 years of age. Research has shown that early active motion exercise, proper lifting techniques and manual therapy administered by well trained physical therapists are effective treatments in most spinal disorders.

Spinal stabilization involves a targeted exercise program for the muscles that support and control your spine. Functional mobility training restores the ability to again perform work or play activities without injury or pain.

Northern Rehab prevention programs include proper lifting techniques and personalized training tips specific to individual work environments.


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TMJ Therapy

As one of the few facilities in the area that treat Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ), Northern Rehab's TMJ program offers evaluation and treatment designed for individuals with a history of headache, neck, jaw and facial pain. From the results of a thorough examination during your initial visit, the therapist will educate you on your condition and provide a postural exercise program.

Subsequent therapy sessions will focus on your postural awareness and re-establishing proper muscular control of your neck and jaw. In addition, the therapist may also utilize physical agents of heat, cold, ultrasound or electrical stimulation to decrease pain and muscle spasm. Massage and mobilization techniques will be utilized as necessary to restore natural range of motion of the neck and temporomandibular joint.

With physical therapy treatments you will experience normal mobility and function of the TMJ and neck. Your therapist will also instruct you on independent postural awareness techniques that will help you control TMJ symptoms in the future.


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Programs

Orthotics
Orthotics are any device added to the body to stabilize or immobilize a body part, prevent deformity, protect against injury, or assist with function.  They may be made from a variety of materials, including rubber, leather, canvas, rubber synthetics and plastic.  Orthotics are indicated if your physical therapist examines you and your gait warrants correction, extrinsic structural abnormalities (knock-knee, pigeon toe, leg length discrepancy, etc.) are creating compensatory motion and/or pain, or soft tissues of foot need support from chronic stresses to facilitate healing.  Orthotics are custom made at Northern Rehab to match the exact contour of your foot and are usually received within one week.   

Kinesiotape
At Northern Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Associates, kinesiotape is used as an adjunct to your physical therapy treatment. Kinesiotape is a treatment used by physical therapists to help decrease pain and swelling, improve the quality and quantity of range of motion to the area being addressed, and improve muscle recruitment with active motion. The special elastic qualities of kinesiotape applied over the skin assist and give support to the muscles or prevent over-contraction of the muscles. The kinesiotaping method has been around for over 30 years, but has been popularized by professional athletes use. Your specially trained physical therapist at Northern Rehab will determine if kinesiotape is appropriate for treating your injured area, or your doctor may order it specifically.

N.I.T.R.O
Northern Rehab is working closely with Northern Illinois Trail Runners Organization (N.I.T.R.O.), a local running club.  Members run together and volunteer at community events.  Also, runners attend monthly seminars on various running-related topics including nutrition and hydration, proper footwear, injury prevention, and pilates.  N.I.T.R.O. is registered as an official Road Racing Club of America.

Performance Enhancement: ▪ One-on-One Personal Training ▪ Athletic Performance Camps ▪ Gait Analysis  for Runners ▪ Golf Performance Program ▪ Educational Seminars for athletes, coaches and parents ▪ Pilates ▪ Bone Building and Balance
           
One-on-One Personal Training
Northern Rehab will design a personal program to help you improve your fitness.  The program will offer a unique combination of endurance, strength and stretching exercises that helps to facilitate your needs.  Also, we will monitor your progress and modify the exercise program depending on your improvement to keep it challenging and enjoyable.  $30 per hour

Athletic Performance Camps
Our Athletic Performance Development Programs utilize the most recent research in a fun and friendly environment to improve physical fitness, build confidence and enhance athletic performance.  The sessions focus on improvement of speed, agility, relative strength, core stability and coordination.  Each participant is comprehensively evaluated on speed, agility, and strength in order to track the progress.  A safe environment and specialized equipment is provided at the practice location.  Upcoming camps (link that’s currently on the web site)

P.E.A.K. Running Program
At Northern Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine your running style can be evaluated by one of our physical therapists with our PEAK (Performance Enhancement and Knowledge) Program.  You can have video camera analysis to determine your individual running mechanics.  By addressing your running form, you can learn about the complex interaction between the ground and your shoes, feet, knees, hips, spine, and shoulders.  If you are experiencing pain with running, adjusting your gait by the instruction of our physical therapists can get you back to enjoying your training with less pain.  This program also educates you on proper shoe selection, cardiovascular and strength training programs, and self-care skills.  P.E.A.K. can help you elevate your running program and sustain enjoyment and longevity in the sport of running.


Golf Performance Enhancement Program 
At Northern Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, the goal of our Golf Performance Enhancement Program is to foster education and independence in the self-care skills needed to maximize your success and performance on the greens throughout your life.  Aaron Nevdal, PT will assess your muscles and joints involved in the golf swing, analyze your swing with video, instruct you in specific strengthening and stretching exercises to correct any imbalances, and review and modify your golf conditioning program.    

Educational Seminars
Northern Rehab’s professionals conduct a wide range of educational seminars targeted towards athletes of all levels and sports, local coaches and parents.  We offer topics on proper warm-up, performance enhancement for general sports, running and golf performance enhancement as well as proper hydration and injury prevention for all sports. 
Contact us to find out what programs we can offer for you and your team. 


YMCA series
NITRO seminars (available for NITRO members)

Pilates 
Pilates is the art of body control gaining in popularity because the exercises serve multiple purposes all at once.  Pilates exercise stretches and strengthens muscles at the same time.  The type of exercise pilates incorporates into its regimen is a nice compliment to physical therapy treatments.  Pilates and physical therapy each emphasize working deep muscles, rather than superficial, to support your “core”, and help with improving stability through your spine.  Melissa Payne, PT is a certified pilates mat instructor through Pilates Institute of America.

Bone Building and Balance
At Northern Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, you can learn more about specific exercises, diet, and fall prevention that are appropriate for you if you are affected by osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis should be a concern for most women and some men due to the high incidence affecting about 28 million and the nearly 1.5 million fractures to the hips, wrists, and vertebrae each year.  Physical therapists can assist you with educating you about preventing falls, instructing you in proper strengthening exercises, and assessing your posture and balance.  You should consult your physician if you say “yes” to more than one of the risk factors for osteoporosis listed and follow-up with one of our physical therapists for further evaluation: 

• My older relatives have a history of osteoporosis
• I’m petite or thin
• I drink heavily
• I smoke
• I consume a lot of caffeine and/or salt
• I’ve been losing weight
• My spine curves forward more than in the past
• I have recently fractured my hip, wrist, or spine
• I’m not sure if I get enough calcium in my diet
• I don’t like dairy products
• I didn’t like dairy products as a child
• I don’t exercise very much
• My muscles are weak or sagging
• I take thyroid medication, anti-convulsive medication, or cortisone-like drugs
  
  

• My ovaries have been removed
• I’ve reached menopause
• I had an early menopause
• I’ve never been pregnant
• Before menopause, I had long periods of amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycle)