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Rehab & Physical Therapy Blogs
November 1, 2024
Defying the Odds: Baby Oliver's 130 Days in the NICU
Maddie and her husband, Craig, were elated to learn they were pregnant with their first child. At around ...
October 1, 2024
Finding Yourself in a Pickle with a Pickleball Strain
Pickleball is a unique sport that is sweeping the nation, borrowing aspects of squash, tennis and ping po...
September 24, 2024
The Value of Community: WakeMed Amputee Group Encourages Meaningful Connections Both in the Hospital & Beyond
On the third Wednesday of every month, a special group gathers at WakeMed’s Raleigh Campus to talk, lau...
September 19, 2024
The Ties that Bind: Retired Rehab Manager Skip Roy Revitalizes Peer Support Volunteer Program
With more than 50 years of dedicated service to WakeMed, Skip Roy is a treasured member of the local heal...
September 18, 2024
Getting to the Heart of Rehab at WakeMed
What exactly does it take to recover and thrive after a life-changing injury or illness? The answer is fa...
September 18, 2024
Aging in Place: Al Urzi and Sarah Susanka on Life after Stroke
According to the Stroke Foundation, "Fifteen million people worldwide are affected by stroke. Of those, a...
September 4, 2024
The Beat Goes On: Doug Genzlinger Celebrates WakeMed's Heart for Heart Care
Heart problems can be subtle, and for Doug Genzlinger, who rarely visited his doctor, it took a pretty si...
June 24, 2024
The Single-Handed Chef: Aaron's New Path Forward After Brain Abscess
Birthdays are a time to celebrate a year past and a year ahead. For children and adults alike, these cele...
June 3, 2024
Surviving a Motorcycle Accident: Scott Martin's Story
A few tranquil moments at the end of a busy work day — that's what Scott Martin was looking for on May ...
May 27, 2024
Stroke at 38: New Stroke VNS Rehab Gives New Hope to Neha Zadoo
On Friday, January 5, 2018, Neha Zadoo decided to work from home since a snowstorm was moving into the ar...
March 26, 2024
Illustrating in Technicolor: Hide Terada's Post-Concussion Syndrome Story
Hide Terada has always been the life of the party. With his incredible sense of humor, genuine interests ...
March 25, 2024
I Just Had an Amputation. Now What?
Top 10 Things Your Therapist Recommends to Prepare You for a ProsthesisHaving an amputation is scary and ...
February 27, 2024
Seeing in Silhouettes: Pat Perry's Story of Regaining Memory and Function after Brain Injury
You've probably heard of sudden nocturnal death, or passing away in your sleep. When it happens to someon...
December 5, 2023
Service Dogs in Life and Care: Gyan Mehta’s Rehab Story
75-year-old Gyan Mehta resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Laurie, who is blind and is supported ...
October 28, 2023
How to Pick the Right Sneaker for Your Foot Contour Comfort Color Cost
Sneakers. What’s not to love? Generations of sneakerheads have cultivated an obsession as they collect, trade and share — coveting vast stores of knowledge about the brand histories and designs. Sneakers aren’t just for sneakerheads though. They are a wardrobe essential. The right sneakers not only feel great and provide necessary protection for your feet, […]
October 13, 2023
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness with Diane Gilewicz - Part 2
A spinal cord injury impacts the entire bodily system, but there is hope for a very bright future. In part one of this blog series, we learned about why rehabilitation following a spinal cord injury is critical. Take a moment to read what Diane Gilewicz, MSN, RN, CRRN, has to share about the types of […]
October 12, 2023
Living with Lymphedema
WakeMed Outpatient Rehabilitation therapists are certified and qualified to deliver complete decongestive therapy (CDT). They are trained in the Dr. Vodder method of manual lymphatic drainage — the gold standard for people living with lymphedema. The Lymphatic System Explained The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymph vessels and nodes throughout the body that […]
September 21, 2023
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness with Diane Gilewicz - Part 1
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can be devastating. It is important to understand the prevalence and how to prevent injury. At WakeMed, our Spinal Cord Injury Program can help. Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to educate the community, recognize those living with SCI and offer support to organizations that are striving to […]
September 7, 2023
Meet Diane Gilewicz, MSN, RN, CRRN
New York native, wife and mother of two, Diane Gilewicz has been a part of WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital for more than 30 years and serves currently as the Director of WakeMed’s Spinal Cord Injury Program. She began her career working on a medical surgical unit as a registered nurse before finding her passion for care and […]
August 1, 2023
Taking New Steps with Technology
At WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital, therapeutic technologies have become an integral part of patient treatment over the past decade. These specialized therapeutic interventions help patients navigate their own unique paths to healing. The treatment plan for each patient is far from one-size-fits-all. “As therapists, we want to optimize treatment time with our patients. Therapeutic technologies that […]
June 9, 2023
Resist the Comfort Zone with Strength Training
The legendary band, The Delta Rhythm Boys, had it right when they wrote the lyrics for “dem dry bones.” As adults age, minerals begin to leech out of the bones, leaving them brittle, fragile and prone to breaking. This condition, known as osteoporosis, may seem inevitable, but with a little work, adults can protect their […]
April 24, 2023
Amputation after a Cat Bite Tom Kecks Story
After retirement, Tom Keck became a hobby craftsman, making upgrades and repairs around his home. In 2017, while working on a home project, Tom fell off his ladder. Unfortunately, the fall was severe, resulting in several crushed ribs that impacted his spleen. He had to have his spleen removed. The years went by, and Tom […]
April 17, 2023
Waking Up to the Good Life After Coma — Nigeria McMichael's Story
Independence Day is a great time to get together with friends and family, cookout on the grill and watch celebratory fireworks. For Nigeria McMichael, the 2021 event was an especially wonderful time since her family had not been able to get together in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loved ones came from […]
April 10, 2023
Virtual Reality in Rehab Therapy
History of Virtual Reality in Health Care Dating back to 2011, researchers noted that virtual reality (VR) was proven an effective methodology for rehabilitative treatment. “In clinical settings and experimental studies, participants immersed in VR experienced reduced levels of pain, less general distress/unpleasantness and report[ed] a desire to use VR again during painful medical procedures.” […]
WakeMed Fast 5
Tech Neck with Jay Goodman, PT