Modalities are treatment techniques used by physical therapists to aid in a persons recovery. They include moist heat, massage, joint mobilization, stretching, myofascial release, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, iontophoresis, cryotherapy and therapeutic exercise. All are explained by the therapist before one is treated.
Medical Weight Loss
The Goal: To provide health and wellness education to this underserved population by providing opportunities for our community to passionately embrace a healthier lifestyle through motivational forums and other learning tools to promote and improve their health and well-being every day. This will be achieved in measurable programs such as, community health fairs, speaker series, weight management programs, counseling services, healthy diet training, and targeted Latino health improvement marketing campaigns in all Latino media outlets. FHFEC will work with sponsors, grant providers and community partners in developing measurable positive outcomes.
Injuries can often leave you considering surgery. Many times its not necessarily an injury but rather an ailment like arthritis. When faced with the choice of surgery or joint replacement you must consider pre-surgical rehab to as option before to ensure it’s your only option at gaining relief and full mobility. Fortaleza specializes in many modern modalities that will often provide flexibility, increased range of motion, comfort and a desired functionality.
Luis graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and received his Masters degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He has over 24 years of clinical experience in various aspects of rehabilitation including Critical Care patients. He was published in Critical Care Medicine on Rehabilitation of Chronic Ventilator dependent patients. With a Sports Medicine background, he brings a wealth of knowledge with our outpatient/Orthopaedic patient population. He has gained teaching experiences as an adjunct faculty with Temple and Widener Universities. Luis holds certifications in Ergonomic and Spine Evaluations, hand rehabilitation, and Strength and Conditioning. When he is not problem solving and teaching at the clinic, his passion is in coaching youth competitive travel soccer teams.
Physical Therapy
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die causing paralysis or loss of muscle movement. You may become paralyzed on one side of your body, or lose control of certain muscles, such as those on one side of your face or one arm. Physical therapy may help you return to activities affected by paralysis, such as walking, eating and dressing. There are many risk factors that we must be aware of and part of our strategy is to inform and educate our patients on minimizing risk factors. Our team approach will make sure you stay informed throughout the process, receive comfortable care in an outpatient setting and help you restore function.
Occupational Therapy
Therapy for those recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life. An OT specializes in the upper extremities like hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders. At Fortaleza a customized intervention program will include a variety of treatment methods and exercises focusing on the gradual increase in strength, range of motion and functionality.
Tennis Elbow
Sports Medicine by definition is the treatment of sport related injury but not all of us are athletes by profession or even as amateurs. Many of us can develop sport related injury by repeated improper motion in our everyday lives. However, when engaging in a variety of sports from tennis to cycling we may often encounter unwanted discomfort. Some of the most common injuries are Ankle Sprains,Groin pull, Hamstring strains, Shin splints, Knee injuries (ACL tears), Petellofemoral syndrome (injury resulting from repetitive movement of your kneecap against your thigh bone, and Tennis elbow. The great news is you found the right place in Fortaleza. We specialize in all areas of sports medicine and are athletes ourselves. Athletes caring for athletes, makes sense right? Our strategy is to help you reach long term recovery through intensive and thorough care that includes prevention education. Here is what you can expect...
Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic Therapy offered in our 90-92 degree therapeutic pool offers many advantages and benefits to individuals recovering from all phases of injury or illness. The benefits of water exercise for people who have significant trouble with weight bearing exercises are vast and have tremendous advantages like increased joint flexibility; buoyancy offers a tremendous advantage because it reduces the effects of gravity allowing for increased joint range of motion. Increased muscle strength, water is 600-700 times more resistive than air which allows for strengthening of weakened muscles. Decreased pain, immersion in warm water increases an individual’s comfort by increasing blood supply to sore muscles and promoting relaxation. Improved balance, the uniform pressure of the water along with buoyancy provides support to your body which allows you increased time to react without the fear of falling or getting hurt. Fortaleza’s Aqua Therapy program can be used to treat everything from post-surgical, non-surgical, orthopedic, rheumatologic, and neurological to chronic pain. It is the therapeutic properties of the water combined with the skill and specialized training of our aquatic therapists that will help you to improve your mobility and function. You do not have to be a swimmer to participate in or benefit from water therapy. Our aquatic therapist will customize and train you in an aquatic exercise that is appropriate to your level and in combination with traditional land therapy.
Manual Therapy
Pain Management: Physical therapy is widely recognized for its ability to alleviate pain. Skilled therapists employ an array of techniques such as joint mobilization, electrical stimulation, heat therapy, and exercises tailored to an individual’s needs. By identifying the root cause of pain and addressing it directly, physical therapy reduces the need for pain medications, thus avoiding potential side effects and promoting natural healing.
Development of Chronic Conditions: Some injuries, even seemingly minor ones, have the potential to develop into chronic conditions if left untreated. For example, a sprained ankle that is not treated promptly and effectively can lead to chronic instability, recurrent pain, and even arthritis over time. By avoiding care for injuries, individuals risk exacerbating the initial problem and creating long-lasting health concerns that can significantly impact their quality of life.