Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Our professional staff of physical, occupational and speech therapists specialize in Orthopedic, Neurological, Hand, Cancer, Lymphedema, Abdominal/Pelvic and Speech/Swallowing rehabilitation in Taos. We are here to guide you through a personalized recovery plan with treatment goals that are important to you. Conditions and body parts in which we specialize include:

Abdominal/Pelvic Physical Therapy

• Postpartum rehab

  Every woman who delivers a baby, whether vaginally or cesarian, deserves a postpartum evaluation. Once cleared by your healthcare provider, ask for a referral to pelvic physical therapy to assess for pelvic floor health, pelvic organ prolapse, abdominal muscle healing, and assistance in returning to physical activity.  Carrying a baby for nine months is hard […]

• Labor and delivery pre-hab

  Let’s face it: labor is a marathon. You wouldn’t sign up for a marathon and then show up to the race without training, would you? Believe it or not, it is a great idea to train for labor and delivery in the same way that you might train for any other physically demanding event. A […]

• Prenatal care

  Pregnancy is difficult enough–trust us, we’ve been there! With all of the hormonal changes, the rushing around to get ready for the baby, the doctor’s appointments, and everything else, it is a whirlwind of activity from the moment you discover that you have a baby on the way. Now add the aches and pains of […]

• Urinary Dysfunction

  One of the most important functions of the pelvic floor involves control of the bladder and bowel. The pelvic floor musculature helps keep us continent and provides us feedback about when it’s time to go to the restroom. Urinary incontinence is common, affecting around 25% of the population. Despite its prevalence it is never normal […]

• Pelvic and Abdominal Pain

  Common causes of pelvic and abdominal pain include: Pelvic floor muscle spasm Pudendal neuralgia Proctalgia fugax Anal fissures Scar tissue Endometriosis Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Vaginismus  Chronic constipation Interstitial cystitis  Chronic prostatitis  All of these conditions can be effectively managed with abdominal pelvic physical therapy. These are complex conditions which require skilled care and collaboration […]

Cancer

• Breast Cancer

  Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the United States.  Common complaints following breast cancer treatment include shoulder pain, restricted range of motion, axillary cording, scar tissue restriction, and postural dysfunction.  Many of these issues are related to radiation fibrosis, or hardening of the tissues in and around the field of radiation.  […]

Elbow, Wrist and Hand

• Traumatic Injuries of the Hand

  Accidents can cause fractures, torn tendons and nerves, dislocations of joints, and even crush injuries of the hand.  Due to the intricate nature of the hand, these injuries can be complex.  After initial treatment by an orthopedic doctor, your hand therapist will help to reduce pain and swelling, lessen scar tissue, improve sensitivity, safely increase […]

• Dupuytren’s Contracture

  Dupuytren’s Contracture is a genetic disease where the soft tissue in the palm of the hand thickens creating difficulty with opening the hand and one or more fingers. In early and mild cases, occupational therapy can provide education on self management and orthotic intervention to reduce tightness.  Exercises are taught to encourage mobility of the […]

• Trigger Finger

  Trigger Finger, or Stenosing Tenosynovitis is a condition where the tendons that bend the fingers and thumb thicken with age or overuse and have difficulty sliding through the ligaments that hold them in place within the palm. This creates a painful catching sensation or locking of the finger in a bent position when gripping.  In […]

• Arthritis

  Most commonly in the hand, Osteoarthritis of the thumb and finger joints and Rheumatoid Arthritis of the wrist and knuckles are addressed in therapy to reduce pain and stiffness.  Patients are educated on protecting their joints to reduce deterioration by modifying activities and using adaptive devices to help with daily activities.  Your hand therapist may […]

• Carpal Tunnel syndrome

  Carpal Tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs due to repetitive fine motor control activities, or can occur due to conditions such as diabetes, obesity or rheumatoid arthritis. Pressure is placed over the Median nerve which runs through the Carpal Tunnel at the level of the wrist causing numbness, tingling, and weakness of the hand.

• DeQuervain’s

  DeQuervain’s is a painful condition which affects the tendons of the thumb, causing pain on the thumb side of the wrist. It is commonly caused by repetitive movements done at the wrist and hand, which causes the tendons to become inflamed. Typical symptoms include pain when turning the wrist, gripping or grasping items, pinching or […]

• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

  A condition of pain at the elbow, and numbness and weakness of the hand caused by compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.  If treated in therapy early with education on positioning of the elbow to reduce tension on the nerve, soft tissue release, and nerve gliding exercises, symptoms can be reduced before surgery […]

• Medial epicondylitis

  Also known as golfer’s elbow, Medial epicondylitis is a painful condition that occurs at the elbow due to excessive or repetitive flexing at the wrist. Pain is mostly found along the palm side of the forearm from elbow to wrist.  Therapists can help with this condition by reducing pain through exercise, and other modalities such […]

• Lateral Epicondylitis

  Also known as tennis elbow is a painful condition that involves repetitive overuse movements at the wrist and elbow. The extensor muscles of your forearm become aggravated, which causes pain at the hand and forearm when attempting to grasp, twist or carry objects. Symptoms may include pain and tenderness over the elbow and hand, weakness […]

Neurological

• Vertigo

  This is a spinning feeling, loss of balance and nausea often triggered by quick head movements. It is a symptom not a disease. The most common type is known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV. It is caused by the displacement of very small crystals found in the canals of the inner ear. A […]

• Vestibular Rehabilitation and Balance Retraining

  The Vestibular system is the sensory system that provides information used for balance, equilibrium, spatial orientation and movement coordination. Much of this input comes from small structures located in the inner ear. A number of things can cause a disruption in the system leading to vertigo, dizziness, balance loss and nausea. Some of the more […]

• Headache

• Stroke

• Parkinson’s

  Parkinson’s Disease or PD is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement. Tremors are the most common symptoms, however stiffness and slower, smaller movements typically accompany this disease. Speech and swallowing problems can also occur. The LSVT Big protocol is an evidence based treatment customized for a person’s needs, goals and stage of Parkinson’s disease, […]

• Multiple Sclerosis

  Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a disease affecting the central nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord. The body’s immune system attacks the insulation of the nerves and can cause problems with vision, muscle strength and tone, sensation, swallowing and speech, gait and others. It is a highly individualized condition, different people are […]

Orthopedic

• Scoliosis

  Scoliosis is defined as a sideways curve of spine with the addition of rotation or twisting. Though scoliosis commonly develops and worsens during the growth spurts of early adolescence, it can also develop or first be detected in adulthood. Many adults with back pain are surprised to find they have a mild to moderate form […]

• Osteoarthritis

• Inflammatory Conditions

  Your body’s immune response is triggered by tissue damage. It creates local inflammation, a sign that damage control has commenced and healing is underway. It is normal and is the first phase of healing. Appropriate acute inflammation resolves rapidly. Unfortunately the immune system occasionally overreacts or completely “misreads” a threat and creates chronic or generalized […]

• Back & Neck Pain

• Knee

  The knee is a deceptively simple hinge joint. It requires the coordination of a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone and nerves. Damage, strain or breakdown of any of these structures can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling and functional loss. Common problems include Osteoarthritis, ACL rupture, meniscus and ligament tears, knee cap tracking problems, […]

• Joint Replacements

  Rehabilitation following a joint replacement is essential for the success of the procedure. Shoulders, hips, knees and ankles are the most commonly replaced joints. The rehabilitation goals are very similar for all of the replacements: Control pain, restore ROM and functional strength, return to activity. Our Physical and Occupational Therapists work closely with area Orthopedic […]

• Hip

  Hip pain can have many causes often involving degeneration or trauma to the joint, irritation or inflammation of the related soft tissue such as bursitis or tendonitis and muscle strains. Your Physical Therapist will help you to figure out the cause and utilize manual techniques, desensitizing modalities, therapeutic exercise and home program instruction to help […]

• Plantar Fasciitis

  Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain and is caused by repetitive strain injury to the ligament of the sole of the foot. Physical Therapists will assess foot/ankle alignment, muscle flexibility, joint restrictions and abnormal movement patterns that can cause plantar fasciitis pain. Individualized treatment based on findings in the evaluation can […]

• Ankle and Foot

  Ankle and foot problems often interfere with walking and can profoundly limit daily activities, work and recreation. The more common problems are related to trauma, overuse, inflammatory conditions and neuropathy. Several of our therapists have strong backgrounds in the assessment and treatment of ankle and foot problems.

Speech Therapy

• Dysphagia

  Swallowing is a complex process. Under normal circumstances, we swallow about 500 to 2000 times daily. Swallowing requires the concerted actions of about 50 pairs of muscles and 5 main cranial nerves (nerves in the skull). People with “dysphagia” have difficulty swallowing and may even experience pain while swallowing. Some people may be completely unable to […]

• Speech, Language & Swallowing Therapy

  Speech, language and swallowing rehabilitation is a service provided by a speech-language pathologist. speech-language pathologists are licensed in the evaluation and treatment of language, articulation, voice, stuttering and swallowing disorders. At Holy Cross Medical Center, we are fortunate to have a team of speech-language pathologists who diagnose and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders.  

General Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Services

• Post-surgical Care

  Rehabilitation following surgery for trauma, joint replacements, back and neck problems or any type of surgery resulting in pain, loss of mobility and other functional deficits. Several of our therapists specialize in post-surgical care and work closely with the entire care team.

• Motor Vehicle Accidents

  Trauma caused by an auto crash, may involve orthopedic and neurological injuries.

• Athletic Injuries

  Injuries and conditions related to athletic activities involving casual recreational to serious competitive athletes. The functional requirements and goals of the athlete require the therapist to have knowledge of the sport and familiarity with training principles. Several of our therapists are well equipped to guide the injured athlete on their return to play.

• Lymphedema

  Lymphedema is a chronic condition caused by damage to the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s circulatory system. It is responsible for transporting excess fluid, protein, and cell waste from the spaces between tissues back into general circulation where it will be metabolized or excreted. The lymph system is also an […]