Rehab

Administration, Eye Care Center, Marketing, Rehab

A Farewell Message from the Morks as They Retire

By /

As Troy and I close this chapter of our lives, we are filled with gratitude!  Our combined 65 years of service at Kanabec Hospital, First Light and Welia Health has blessed us in so many ways.  We felt challenged professionally yet fortunate to work locally which allowed for a great work/life balance.  The relationships we developed with staff and patients was fulfilling and instrumental in our job satisfaction.  Thank you especially for the awesome support of the rehab and eye clinic staff.  You are top notch and made it easy to come to work.  Thank you Welia! Your emphasis on caring for our communities is wonderful!!

With sincere gratitude,

Jean & Troy Mork

Marketing, Rehab

Happy National Athletic Training Month!

By /

National Athletic Training Month is held every March to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers.  The 2024 theme is “Champions in Healthcare.” No matter the team, athletic trainers are essential to health care in work, life, and sport. ATs provide medical services aimed at reducing the risk of injury and illness, enhancing performance, improving wellness, and rehabilitating patients to get them back to the things they love.

Our athletic trainers continue to provide services to Ogilvie, Mora, Pine City Hinckley-Finlayson, and East Central schools. Thank you to our Welia Health athletic trainers for all you do for our clinics, schools, and communities!

Rehab

“Did You Know?” – Physical Therapy Month Week 4

By /

Welia physical therapy has seen a 65% growth in visits over the last 10 years!

2014 – 19,450 PT visits

2024 (est.) – 32,000 PT visits

Specialty Area Highlight: Aquatic Therapy

The Mora Campus has a Hydroworx 1200 Series Pool that is used to treat patients in the aquatic environment. The aquatic environment can be utilized for a wide variety of conditions including fibromyalgia, arthritis, spinal pain, spinal paralysis, pediatrics, balance disorders, and sports and orthopedic injuries.

Benefits of aquatic therapy

  • Buoyancy provides cushioning effects in water
  • Decreased load on joints
  • Decreased chance of injury
  • Water provides gentle resistance for exercise
  • Cardiovascular benefits include improved circulation of blood and lymphatic flow
  • Muscular benefits
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Decreased edema or swelling
  • Improved breathing
  • Warm water decreases sensitivity to nerve endings and promotes general relaxation
  • Improved endurance to exercise
Rehab

“Did You Know?”

By /

The physical therapy department had 26,027 PT/PTA outpatient visits since January

  • Mora – 16,286
  • Pine City – 7,128
  • Hinckley – 2,613

Some specialty group visits include:

  • Wound Care – 1635
  • Lymphedema – 1020
  • Vestibular – 1507
  • Aquatics – 904
  • Pediatric PT – 534
  • Pelvic Health (Pain and incontinence) – 431
  • Foot Orthotics Made – 213
  •  

Specialty Area Highlight: Vestibular Therapy

Our vestibular team is made up of 9 physical therapists across 3 locations who have undergone additional training and coursework in identifying various vestibular and balance related impairments. Our vestibular therapists can help rehabilitate a wide variety of conditions ranging from general balance challenges, concussions, and acute or chronic dizziness including vertigo (sensation of spinning) and unsteadiness. We have infrared video technology to assess eye movements to help diagnosis conditions such as BPPV, hypofunction, and help screen for strokes. We want our older adult population to know that a decline in balance can be challenged and improved at any stage in life.

Rehab

Did you know? – Physical Therapy Month Week 2

By /

“Did You Know?”

Welia has 20 physical therapist and 5 physical therapist assistants on staff across 3 locations. PT is now a doctorate level education, with continually licensed PT’s being grandfathered in. We have 10 physical therapists with doctorate degrees, and 10 with masters degrees.

Specialty Area Highlight: LSVT Big.

LSVT BIG® is a specialized treatment program designed for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. This evidence-based program focuses on improving both gross and fine motor skills through a customized approach tailored to the unique needs of each patient.

Common Challenges It Addresses:

  • Slowness and smallness of movement
  • Difficulty with functional mobility (such as rising from a chair or rolling in bed)
  • Balance issues
  • Changes in fine motor tasks (like writing or buttoning)

Key Benefits:

  • Faster walking with larger steps
  • Enhanced balance and stability
  • Improved trunk rotation
  • Better performance in daily activities

The LSVT BIG treatment consists of 16 sessions over 4 weeks, featuring individual 1-hour sessions, daily homework, and carryover exercises. This structured approach helps patients establish lifelong habits of improved movement and mobility.

Therapists and Assistants provide continued patient and caregiver support and education through the Parkinson’s Support Group.

Parkinson’s disease – Welia Health

Rehab

Did you Know? – Physical Therapy Month Week 1

By /

October is National Physical Therapy Month.
In honor of PT month, we will have weekly “Did You Know?” postings on the intranet to share more about the physical therapy department at Welia Health.

“Did You Know?”
Rehabilitation Services encompasses many subdepartments, including Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Cardiac Services, Respiratory Therapy, Sleep, Athletic Training, and of course Physical Therapy.

Number of visits in a year:
• 2023 Rehabilitation Services Outpatient Visits (all departments within Rehabilitation) – 46,856
• 2023 Physical Therapy Outpatient Visits – 30,842
• PT visits make up about 66% of all the patient visits within the Rehabilitation Department.

Physical Therapists (PTs) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) provide care in these general areas:
Orthopedic conditions:
• Back
• Neck
• Hip
• Knee
• Ankle
• Foot
• Shoulder
• Brace fitting
• Assistive device training
Neurological Conditions:
• Stroke
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Progressive Neurological Disorders

Some PTs and PTAs also provide care in Specialty Areas which require additional training, education, and certification. These services are often only found at large health systems, but we are fortunate to offer these services through the dedication and commitment of specially trained physical therapists and assistants:

• Vestibular Dysfunctions
• Wound Care
• Lymphedema
• Cancer Rehab
• Sports Medicine
• Jaw and Face: TMJ/Bell’s Palsy/Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Aquatics
• Amputee
• Foot Orthotics
• Chronic Pain
• Dry Needling
• Pelvic Pain and Incontinence
• Obstetrics
• Parkinson’s (LSVT Big)
• Pediatrics
• Certified Hand Therapy
• Power Mobility
• Wellness/Health Coaching

Physical therapy in East-Central Minnesota – Welia Health

Hand therapy in East-Central Minnesota – Welia Health

Pediatric therapy in East-Central Minnesota – Welia Health

Marketing, Rehab

Happy Athletic Training Month!

By /

During March, athletic trainers across America are being recognized for their commitment to helping people prevent injuries, stay healthy and active, and most recently, leading the way with establishing COVID-19 protocols. As health care professionals, they are highly educated and dedicated to the job at hand. Athletic trainers are found in high schools and colleges, corporations, professional sports, the military, performing arts, clinics, hospitals, and physician offices.

Welia Health would like to acknowledge our athletic trainers for their essential role in providing quality health care for our athletes every day. We are lucky to have some of the best!

Scroll to Top