HUGHESVILLE - An outpatient center provides customers in the eastern part of the county with three types of therapies to meet their individual needs.
The Hughesville branch of Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Services Inc., located at 123 W. Academy St., joined others across the state to provide physical, occupational and massage therapy to people.
One of the biggest needs the company focuses on is helping patients recovering from hip and knee replacement surgery, said Melissa L. Barto, doctor of physical therapy and facility director.
The center focuses on all ages by providing different services.
Another popular service includes pre-employment screening to make sure a person can handle the workload necessary for a job.
To do so, Phoenix employees go into the workplace to see what the job entails, Barto said.
Helping out on job sites is something Barto said she would like to do more of in the future, such as teaching employees how to lift safely.
Also, if there are any problems, the person would most likely be healed quicker than if they were not on the work site.
The longer it takes for an injury to be treated, the longer it takes for the injury to heal.
Another future activity that Barto would like to work on is getting to more health fairs to educate people. She likes to focus on timely matters, so for summer, that could include teaching people stretches they can do while sitting in a car or a plane for a long time.
Other treatments the center offers are for neck pain, carpal tunnel and arthritis.
For specific injuries, therapists work with specific patient goals to heal them. By having a small office, patients can see the same therapist every time. Treatment time varies depending on the specific injury.
"Appointments depend on injuries," Barto said. "Some are half an hour, some are two hours. Some people are better after a week or two or six months."
One thing that has changed since the office opened in 2005 is insurance.
The costs of visits rose from $5 or $10 to $50 or $60 for some patients.
The office works with patients to verify the insurance before the appointment so the patient knows before visiting what the co-pay will be.
For some people, visits do not need to target a specific injury.
Pampering and relaxation massages are available. Patients also can use the gym as a way to prevent future injuries.
Barto recommends people working out together.
"People are likely to continue going to the gym in a group setting," she said.
