Updates

Vascular Anomalies Center

 Physical and Occupational Therapy for Vascular Anomalies Patients

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation provides physical and occupational therapy assessment and treatment services to patients of all ages, including newborns and adults. Our specialists see patients with a variety of diagnoses.

Physical Therapy (PT) is a part of the Vascular Anomalies Center’s multidisciplinary approach in providing adjunctive and conservative management of vascular anomalies and associated functional limitations.

Physical Therapy Implications

  • Limitations in age appropriate activity participation
  • Gait impairment
  • Poor postural alignment
  • Range of Motion restrictions
  • Myofascial restrictions
  • Strength impairment
  • Developmental milestones delay or address risk of delay
  • Swelling
  • Obesity
  • Skin Care
  • Endurance
  • Pain control
  • Home Exercise Program

Physical Therapy Recommendations

Our goal is to identify current deficiencies and impairments associated with diagnoses. We aim to establish unique and individualized interventions to efficiently improve our patients’ participation in necessary age appropriate and extracurricular activities. 

Our collaborative approach promotes self-management through establishing independence with home program with progressively decreasing dependence on high frequency physical therapy.

Based on the assessment of individual needs, your therapist may recommend:

  • Home exercise/modification program
  • Follow up at Vascular Anomalies Clinic visits
  • Regular physical therapy treatment; frequency based on patient needs
  • Specialty treatment programs such as Complete Decongestive Therapy
  • No physical therapy recommendation if not indicated
  • Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), “Lymphedema Management”: With close collaboration and clearance from medical team, patient may be appropriate for Complete Decongestive Therapy.
    • Manual lymph drainage
    • Compression therapy
    • Decongestive exercise
    • Skin care
    • Ongoing maintenance

Physical Therapy Treatment Methods

Based on individual assessment, a variety of treatment methods may be used to address physical impairments:

  • Therapeutic activities. Range of motion, Strengthening, Balance training, Coordination, Endurance
  • Decongestive exercise. Promote venolymphatic return in order to reduce pain and/or swelling
  • Compression garments
  • Kinesiotaping
  • Manual therapy. Connective tissue mobilization and myofascial release, scar tissue mobilization, joint mobilization
  • Developmental facilitation
  • Modalities for pain relief. “Therapeutic Neuroscience Pain Education,” TENS, cryotherapy
  • Neuromuscular re-education
  • Aquatic therapy
  • Return to sport training
  • Orthotics/splints
  • Equipment recommendations
  • Standardized testing
  • Home program/maintenance program

Specialty Programs

A physical therapist will provide screening in clinic to determine the need for a referral to Occupational Therapy for:

  • ADL’s (activities of daily living)
  • Fine motor skills
  • Hand Clinic

Professional Involvement

Related Departments