Rehabilitation Medicine | MaineHealth Stephens Hospital

Physical therapists apply research and proven techniques to help people get back in motion. They are trusted health care professionals with extensive clinical experience who examine, diagnose, and then prevent or treat conditions that limit the body's ability to move and function in daily life. (APTA definition)

Physical therapy focuses on your arms, leg, and spine and will help in restoring flexibility, strength, speed and power.

Occupational therapy helps people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do. It helps improve your effectiveness in completing daily living activities Services may include hand rehabilitation or work on cognitive/perceptual skills. 

Speech therapists assess your speech and language development and treat any disorders or delays. Our speech language therapists can assist you in recovering from speech impairments due to developmental delay, stroke, head injury or other neurological disorders.

Speech-language pathologists can also help people with swallowing disorders.

On the field or off. For recreational or competitive athletes. Our sports medicine team is here to help get you back in the game. We partner with local doctors, orthopedic surgeons and athletic trainers.

• Expert care for sports injuries
• Muscle strains and joint sprains
• Knee, hip, shoulder and spine injuries
• Concussion management

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG and LOUD is an internationally recognized exercise program for people with Parkinson’s disease and similar conditions. Parkinson’s disease affects the brain and muscles in the body; slowing walking, impairing physical function, and weakening the voice. LVST BIG exercises focus on improving physical function; including walking and other activities of daily living. LVST LOUD exercises focus on improving voice volume and speech function.

How to get started

We strongly recommend that you receive both treatments as soon as possible after a Parkinson's diagnosis. BIG and LOUD sessions occur 4 days a week for 4 weeks. Visits are one-on-one with a therapist and are one hour each. Daily homework is essential to success. BIG and LOUD treatment sessions can be done in the same month. However, some people choose to receive one treatment first and the other at a later time. BIG and LOUD programs are covered by most insurances plans. A physician’s referral is required.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy emphasizes evidence based, hands-on training in the treatment of balance and dizziness problems. Our specially trained physical therapists will help make a customized treatment plan based on your goals with the main focus to help you get moving again and manage your dizziness at the same time.

Vestibular rehab helps people who suffer from:

• Vertigo 
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) 
• Post-concussion syndrome 
• Meniere’s disease with chronic dizziness
• Lasting balance issues 
• Vestibular neuritis 
• Vestibular hypo function 
• Chronic migraines with related dizziness

How do I get vestibular rehab?

Talk to your doctor to find out if vestibular rehab is right for you. A doctor’s referral is required.

Matter of Balance (MOB)

MOB is an in-depth balance program that entails eight, two-hour sessions. Small group sessions help reduce the fear of failing by increasing activity levels, completing exercises to increase strength and balance and learning how to decrease fall risks at home. To sign up, call 207-744-6160.

Exercise to Energize

Exercise to Energize is a program for adults age 60 and older. It combines seated and standing exercises to help build strength, flexibility, and improve balance and function. This program is led by certified personal trainers and does not replace exercise prescribed by a doctor or therapist.

Level 1 Basic - Mostly Seated Exercises: Wednesdays & Fridays 1 pm
Participant must be able to:
• perform exercises independently
• complete a balance screening with a physical therapist annually (screen is free of charge)
• walk with a walking aide such as a cane, rollator, or walker

Level 2 Advanced – Mostly Standing Exercises: Mondays & Wednesdays 10 am

Participant must be able to:
• perform exercises independently
• stand on one leg for 5 seconds
• walk briskly for 5 minutes; with no walking aides such as a cane, rollator, or walker
• Complete a balance screening with a physical therapist if needed (screen is free of charge)

Program Information

• Programs run September through July
• Runs for six weeks (12 total classes)
• Cost is $60 per program (must be paid in full at first class)

Registration Information

Registration opens one week prior to program start date. To register, call 207-393-3487 and leave a voicemail message with your full name and phone number and which level you are registering for. You will receive a call back only if the class is full. 

Our certified lymphedema therapists offer complete lymphedema care. Services include skin care, manual lymph drainage (specific type of gentle message), compression bandaging and exercise. Patients transition to a home program after maximum decongestion is achieved.

We look forward to partnering with members of the community that will greatly benefit from this service. In particular:

• Medical practices
• Woman's imaging centers
• Wound clinics
• Cancer programs