Rehabilitation Medicine

The New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland is a MaineHealth joint venture partner. When needed, we refer patients to this 90-bed rehabilitation hospital that provides a advanced inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services.

For more information, to make a referral, please call: 

• Inpatient Referrals: 207-662-8584
• Outpatient Referrals: 207-662-8377

• Older adults
• Cardiac rehabilitation 
• Joint replacement
• Neuro-rehabilitation
• Stroke Care

We offer exercise-based aquatic therapy in Biddeford, Kennebunk and Sanford. The buoyancy of water promotes joint decompression and muscular relaxation to allow increased stretching and resistance training for improved flexibility, strength and function for those with painful joints. Our therapy program includes:

• Balance training
• Gait training
• Lumbar stabilization promotion
• Pain management
• Stretching and/or strengthening exercise program

A physician's referral is required for treatment. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call 207-294-8030.

Balance stems from a complex integration of separate body systems: sensation, inner ear, musculoskeletal, and vision functions. When a person exhibits an impairment in one or all of these systems, it may affect their balance. We offers evaluation, training and education for those with balance or vestibular challenges.

Have you ever experienced feelings of dizziness/spinning, falls or loss of balance? If so, you may benefit from our services. The Balance & Falls program is designed to

• Improve independence in the home and community
• Improve safety by reducing the risks of falls
• Overall improvement in quality of life
• Decrease dizziness with functional activities

Your physical therapist and/or occupational therapist will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine what may be causing balance or vestibular impairments. Treatment is highly individualized based on the patient's specific needs and goals.

Treatment may include:

•  Assessment using Real Eyes video goggles
•  Stretching and strengthening
•  Balance and vestibular exercises
•  Conditioning
•  Home modification and education

Schedule an Appointment

A physician's referral is required for treatment. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call 207-294-8030. 

Physical therapy (PT) is dedicated to helping you get back to your home, job and activities. Our experienced physical therapists (PTs) are highly-skilled professionals dedicated to the highest quality care standards. We will perform a comprehensive evaluation and work with you to design an individualized treatment plan to address your specific needs. We will use hands-on therapy and customized exercise programs to improve your mobility and get you back to what you love to do. Services include:

• Comprehensive evaluations
• Strengthening and stretching exercises
• Postural and body mechanics assessment
• Gait evaluation
• Manual therapy
• Modalities
• Functional rehab
• Patient education

Our physical therapy treatment locations feature private treatment rooms and well-equipped gyms, with plenty of space for exercise and privacy. We treat patients of all ages who are experiencing a range of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular impairments such as:

• Neck and back strains
• Disc herniations
• Whiplash
• Tendonitis/bursitis
• TMJ
• Headaches
• Ankle sprains
• Arthroscopic knee surgery
• Spinal surgery rehab
• Rotator cuff tears and repairs
• Joint replacements
• Post-surgical rehab
• Parkinson's disease

Occupational therapists (OTs) help improve human functions impacted by illness, injury, developmental delay or surgery. These functions can include cognition, motion, coordination, vision, perception, strength and stamina. Occupational therapists work with patients of all ages achieve their highest level of independence and function. Treatment may include:

• Exercises to build strength, motion and stamina
• Modalities to decrease pain, improve motion and normalize tissues
• Therapeutic activities for cognition (e.g., memory, problem solving, and sequencing) skills related to activities of daily living.
• Compensatory strategies training to provide alternative methods to task accomplishment

Pediatric OT

Hand therapy is focused on rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremity. Occupational therapists work in conjunction with referring physicians and the patients to established patient-centered goals for positive results. Our therapists are trained to treat a variety of hand conditions such as:

• Work-related injuries
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Traumatic injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Thoracic Outlet syndrome
• Tendinitis and Sprains
• Tendon and nerve repairs
• Hand and Arm fractures
• Soft Tissue injuries
• Complex pain syndrome
• Dupuytren's
• Joint Replacements
• Crush injuries
• Arthritis

Hand therapy services include:

• Hand assessment
• Custom splinting
• Modalities (hot/cold therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, fluidotherapy, phonophoresis and iontophoresis)
• Edema management
• Strengthening
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Patient education / self-management strategies
• Ergonomics assessment

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) evaluate and treat people of all ages with conditions that affect language, communication and oral motor function. Our SLPs provide individualized treatment programs for each client focusing on return to independent living, work/school, and social life. They also work closely with Physical and Occupational Therapists to provide each patient with a full recovery, both mentally and physically.

Conditions Commonly Treated

• Developmental disorders
  • Autism-spectrum disorders
  • Congenital conditions
• Neurological trauma
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Stroke
• Degenerative disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Dementia
• Feeding/swallowing disorders
  • Dysphagia
• Speech and language disorders
• Dysarthria/apraxia/aphasia
• Delayed articulation/language
• Vocal nodules, vocal abuse, vocal fold dysfunction
• LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment)
• Cognition disorders
  • Memory
  • Attention
  • Executive functions
  • Thought organization
  • Problem solving/reasoning
• Social skills/pragmatic language

A physician's referral is required for treatment.

Our multidisciplinary team provides expert care for people who have experienced a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (post concussive syndrome). Rehabilitation goals are established with the patient and individually customized to achieve the maximum level of independence and return to daily activities. Your care team may include:

• Referring physician/neurologist
• Occupational therapist
• Physical therapists
• Speech therapists

Conditions Commonly Treated

• Vision disorders/impairments
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Balance
• Memory problems
• Difficulty with concentration
• Decreased function with daily tasks
• Speech
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Social aspects of concussion
• Agitation/changes in emotion

Appointments:

A physician's referral is required for treatment. Please talk to your primary care provider. In case of emergency, please dial 911.

LSVT-BIG

Our LSVT-BIG program helps people with Parkinson's disease increase the size of their movements. LSVT-BIG is proven to specifically improve trunk rotation and gait, leading to improvements in speed, balance and quality of life. Treatment is administered in 16 sessions over a single month (four 60-minute sessions per week).  

LSVT-LOUD

LSVT-LOUD helps people with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions improve their vocal loudness, intonation and voice quality. Treatment stimulates the muscles of the voice box (larynx) and speech mechanism through exercises. Treatment is administered in 16 sessions over a single month (four 60-minute sessions per week).  

A physician's referral is required for LSVT treatment.

Lymphedema happens when fluid builds up and causes chronic swelling in the body, most often the arms or legs. It can also occur in the face, neck, torso and genitals. Our lymphedema care is provided by occupational therapists certified in lymphedema management.

Lymphedema is often associated with breast cancer. Our therapists work closely with breast cancer specialists providing education and treatment to people who are at risk for developing lymphedema.  Our lymphedema therapists also collaborate with wound care specialists - using edema treatment to promote wound healing.

Individuals who are at risk for lymphedema should watch for:

• Feeling of pressure, heaviness or tightness in the arm or leg - which may happen before swelling is visible
• Visible swelling, tight fitting clothing or footwear
• Redness and inflammation

Lymphedema treat often includes:

• Manual lymphatic drainage massage
• Compression bandaging
• Hygiene and skin care
• Exercise and nutritional support
• Education for self-care and self-management
• Wound care if indicated
• Compression garments
• Patient education

Lymphedema rehabilitation can result in positive patient outcomes with successful reduction in edema, enhanced wound healing process, increased range of motion and improved overall functional status.

A physician’s referral is required for participation.

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center provides expert neuro-rehabilitation services at multiple Southern Maine locations. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for people with limitations due to neurological deficits such as stroke, brain tumor, encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Our multi-disciplinary team will help you maximize independent function through diagnostics, therapy, self-care, mobility, community skills and communication.

Our expert team:

• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Speech language pathologists
• Neuropsychologists (consult)
• Physiatrists (consult)

Neuro-rehabilitation services include:

• Individualized treatment plans
• Team and family conferences
• Community reentry resources and referrals
• Modified barium swallow
• Deep pharyngeal neuromuscular stimulation
• Vital stimulation therapy
• LSVT Big and LSVT Loud

A provider referral is required for treatment. Talk to your primary care provider or specialty physician about a referral to MaineHealth Maine Medical Center.