Rehabilitation - 318 Forum Magazine

Living a balanced life

Growing older doesn’t mean having to lose mobility skills.

A local rehabilitative facility is offering patients the support needed to stand tall and walk confidently. The therapists at Cornerstone Rehabilitation have brought decades of training and experience to Shreveport, and now presents an innovative program and medical equipment that will improve balance and prevent falls.

“We have a balance and fall prevention program using the skills of our occupational therapist Glynn Leach and a machine no one else in town has, the Biodex Balance System,” said Alan Knight, physical therapist.

The Biodex Balance System is the newest form of assessment and treatment to come to the Cornerstone Rehabilitation, located at 2205 E. 70th Street, Suite 102, in Shreveport.

The Biodex Balance System is popular in sports medicine, notably used by the NFL. The therapists at Cornerstone use it to detect concussions in high school and college athletes locally.

“High school and college athletes have a high rate of concussions,” Leach said.

“We test them to determine if they are ready to go back on the field. They may say they are ready, but the Biodex finds out if they really are.”

Leach is a vestibular trained therapist specializing in inner ear problems, vertigo and other balance issues. With the use of the Biodex, he said he is able to assess a patient’s results with more accurate data.

Leach said seniors ages 65 and older are also in a high-risk fall group. The most common cause of falls include weak muscles, unstable balance, dizziness, vision problems, side effects from medications and environmental hazards. Falls can result in hip fractures, head injuries and even death.

“One to three people fall over the age of 65, about one to two of those people will break a bone, and from there, it is a 50 percent rate of mortality,” Leach said.

To prevent this outcome, Cornerstone has adopted an eight-visit, four-week program that includes evaluation, result review and exercise recommendations, interventions and re-evaluation. Patients are tested for lower body strength, balance and aerobic endurance of to identify weakness and improve strength.

Cornerstone therapists determine a person’s eligibility for the fall risk screening and conditioning program based on the results of a balance screening test or a doctor’s referral.

Cornerstone provides services in spinal, back and neck issues, sports injuries, and much more.

“We are expanding into ‘dry needling,’ which is similar to acupuncture and intended for muscularity issues.” Alan is also a certified wound care specialist.

Cornerstone is an independently owned rehabilitation facility but accepts most forms of insurance and offers a self-pay module to work within patient’s financial situations. With a staff of two main physical therapists, an occupational therapist, and supporting technicians and staff, Cornerstone provides personal service for each patient.

“It begins at the door with Alice, our receptionist. She makes you feel at home,“ Leach said. “There’s a family feeling. At a large hospital, you can feel like a number, and it’s not always a positive experience. We take pride in our on-hands approach. Therapy is more than just physical. It’s about building relationships, and that helps.”

Alan said. “We deliver one-on-one care for patients.”

“It’s more than physical therapy; it’s spiritual therapy too,” Leach said.

“It’s my desire to help people who are struggling through life with personal ailments,” Alan said. “We can make a difference in life and offer more than physical therapy. It’s very enjoyable seeing someone in pain and depressed leave with a smile on their face even after just the first treatment.”

To learn more about the services at Cornerstone Rehabilitation, call 671- 8772 or visit www.cornerstonerehab.org.

– Tiana Kennell