Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

AlterG® Anti-gravity Treadmill

The AlterG® anti-gravity treadmill uses a pressurized air chamber to reduce gravity's impact and force on your body. The process lowers your body weight with positive air pressure. It enables supported walking, running and exercise with less pain and improved safety.

Biodex Balance Master

The Biodex Balance Master is an advanced balance screening and training tool. Our therapists use the Biodex system to analyze your gait, assess your balance and determine return-to-play eligibility. You can execute balance training and other rehabilitation exercises safely without fear of falls.

Bioness Wireless Rehabilitation Systems

Bioness wireless rehabilitation systems use electrical stimulation on your nerves to activate muscles in your forearm, hand, lower leg or foot. The techniques help you regain function after a stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or other neurological disorder.

ERGYS 2 Rehabilitation System

The ERGYS 2 Rehabilitation System uses electrical stimulation to allow patients with limited or no voluntary leg movement to pedal a stationary leg-cycle. The ability to pedal provides significant benefits for paraplegic and quadriplegic patients, including improved muscle mass, strength, endurance, circulation and range of motion.

Frenzel Goggles

Frenzel goggles are an advanced diagnostic tool for evaluating patients with vestibular disorders. They allow your care provider to see and measure your involuntary eye movements to diagnose and treat your balance issues.

NormaTec PULSE Recovery System

The NormaTec PULSE Recovery System consists of compression devices worn on your legs, arms or hips. It uses compressed air to knead the affected limb and speed recovery. The pulsing action of the compression system more effectively mimics your muscle movements and increases the treatment’s effectiveness.

VitalStim® Therapy

VitalStim® therapy is the only FDA-approved electrical stimulation therapy approved for treating impaired swallowing ability, called dysphagia. The treatment uses electrical stimulation to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing. The process is noninvasive and painless.

First and only rehabilitation module of its kind on Long Island. Simulates a typical home and downtown community to help patients practice real-world adaptive skills while still in the hospital.

Explore Downtown St. Charles

Helps patients recover from a condition most often seen in cancer survivors.

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The only muscular dystrophy care center on Long Island.

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Treats adults diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.

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Level 4 epilepsy center for treatment of complex diagnoses.

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Learn more about our epilepsy center

Patients are often admitted for acute inpatient rehabilitation with the following conditions or diagnosis:

• Amputation
• Brain injury
• Cardiac or pulmonary conditions
• Hip fracture
• Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre and Parkinson’s disease
• Orthopedic conditions
• Sports injuries
• Stroke
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic injury or fractures

Your physician and the St. Charles Hospital admission team will determine if acute inpatient rehabilitation will best meet your needs. Within the first 24 hours of admission, you’ll receive an extensive assessment from your team of clinicians that determines your capabilities, needs and goals. Our team works with you to develop a plan of care to help you heal, adapt and thrive.

Acute inpatient rehabilitation typically includes up to three hours of physical, occupational or speech therapy every day. Your length of stay is determined by your care needs, goals and preferences. Our team monitors your progress continually and prepares you and your family for discharge when the time is right.

Outpatient rehabilitation is dedicated to improving your quality of life with better mobility, function and independence. St. Charles Hospital offers rehabilitation therapies and specialty programs at outpatient locations across Long Island. Our dedicated and compassionate team of rehabilitation experts treat more than 10,000 infants, children, adolescents and adults per year. We use the latest and most advanced rehabilitation therapies and techniques.

A physician’s referral is needed to begin care. We offer flexible scheduling, including early morning and evening appointments.

Our team of experts are leaders in rehabilitative care on Long Island, including board-certified physiatrists and physical, occupational and speech therapists.

Our team includes experts in multiple specialties who work closely with you to created a personalized treatment plan specific to your health needs and goals.

• Board-certified physiatrists. Physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation will coordinate care and direct all aspects of treatment.
• Certified rehabilitation registered nurses. Help manage rehabilitation treatment plan, provide 24-hour monitoring while in the hospital and prepare you for discharge.
• Occupational therapists. Teach efficient, effective ways to complete your daily activities, such as bathing, eating, personal hygiene and other aspects of your day-to-day routine.
• Physical therapists. Evaluate your physical and functional abilities and help you walk, go up and down stairs and transfer locations.
• Speech therapists. Evaluate and treat difficulties talking, understanding or swallowing after an illness or injury.
• Therapeutic recreation specialists. Plan activities and events that build stamina and strength and provide social and recreational outlets to develop and use new skills and abilities.
• Registered dietitians. Monitor nutrition, develop a personalized meal plan, review medications to prevent any negative interactions, and provide education on healthy eating.

At Catholic Health, we believe that emotional wellbeing is as important as physical recovery. You and your families can find support from our dedicated behavioral health and pastoral care teams.

• Psychologists. Provide education and support to help you and and your family cope with illness or injury as well as administer tests to assess thinking skills, memory, intellect, behavior and emotional adjustment.
• Social workers. Assist you and your family with the discharge planning process, teach tactics to foster self-reliance and identify community resources that offer assistance.
• Pastoral care team. Addresses the spiritual needs and concerns of all rehabilitation patients regardless of faith.

You’ll consult with your team of clinicians, including your physiatrist and rehabilitation nurse, on the day you’re admitted for rehabilitation. Your team will evaluate your condition and assess your physical limitations. We work closely with you to set treatment goals and develop a plan to help make them possible.

Most patients receive three hours of therapy for a minimum of five days a week. A treatment plan typically includes physical and occupational therapy. Speech and language pathology, psychology, therapeutic recreation and nutritional services are included based on your needs.

Your team meets every week to discuss your status and will update you on any changes to your treatment plan.

The admissions team, which includes physiatrists and rehabilitation nurses, consider your ability and motivation to:

• Maintain a reasonable likelihood of discharge
• Make demonstrated functional gains in a reasonable amount of time
• Participate in, and tolerate, an intensive acute rehabilitation program

Financial clearance is obtained by a rehabilitation insurance verifier if you have insurance. We work with the referring hospital and your insurance company to obtain authorization to receive rehabilitative care.

If you are currently a patient in an acute care hospital, the hospital’s discharge planner will make the arrangements for your transportation to rehabilitation care. Most patients are admitted directly from a hospital. However, some patients are admitted from their homes after evaluation from a Catholic Health physiatrist.

Your length of stay depends on your condition and the goals you have for treatment. Our ultimate objective is your safe return to your home and community. We work with you, your family and your caregivers to prepare you for discharge. Preparations include fall prevention training, family meetings and education and support groups to help ensure you’re ready.

The average length of stay for acute rehabilitation is seven to 21 days. If you require care after your discharge, Catholic Health offers convenient outpatient rehabilitation services across Long Island.