Take the First Step
Sometimes the first step to regaining mobility after surgery or traumatic injury is finding a Physical Therapist who focuses on treatment effectiveness and challenges you to stay on the path to improvement and healing.
Upon receiving a patient referral from a physician, the therapist(s) complete an evaluation and prepare a treatment plan. Progress is monitored and regular progress reports are provided to the referring physician.
Numerous FOTO Outcomes Excellence Awards for Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Focus On Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc. (FOTO®) recognize the Rehabilitation team’s dedication to patient outcomes and satisfaction. With a focus on treatment effectiveness, efficiency and patient satisfaction, the FOTO Outcomes data proves the quality of care provided by Boundary Community Hospital.
Our physical therapists help patients regain their movement, strength, coordination, and overall function after surgery or injury. We offer therapeutic exercise programs, gait training, coordination, and balance training. We also use several techniques and modalities to decrease pain and swelling and promote tissue healing. Patients visit us for physical trauma or injury, arthritis, post-surgery, neurological conditions, orthopedic conditions, developmental delays, postural problems, and more. We have therapists who are specialized and certified in the McKenzie technique for back and neck injuries, the Bobath/NDT method for stroke rehabilitation, and lymph edema treatment.
State-of-the-Art equipment allows our therapists to choose the best methods and techniques to aid in your recovery.
Physical Therapy focus for both trauma and post-surgery clients
- Backs
- Knees
- Hips
- Shoulders
- Necks
- Balance
- Coordination
- Lymph Edema Care
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Dry Needling
Rehabilitation Services
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- State-of-the-Art Equipment
- Bonners Ferry Location
- Pediatrics and Adults
Inpatient Post-Acute Care
Outpatient by Appointment
To make an appointment call (208) 267-3141 ext 4276
Outpatient Office Hours
Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm
Check In at the Admitting Reception Desk in Outpatient Services. Outpatient Services entrance is located on the southeast side of the Hospital off Comanche Street.
Serving northern Idaho, Boundary County, Bonners Ferry, Moyie Springs.
Rehabilitation Services Team
Petra Timmermans, PT-Rehab Manager
Didier Balcaen, PT, Certified MDT
Jeff Petersen, PT, DPT
Jessica Seaburg, PT, DPT, OCS
Tammy Edge, PTA
Yahtil Huaute, OT, DOT
Rob Aronow, MS, CCC-SLP
Injury Rehabilitation
Our physical therapists help patients regain their movement, strength, coordination, and overall function after surgery or injury. We offer therapeutic exercise programs, gait training, coordination, and balance training. We also use several techniques and modalities to decrease pain and swelling and promote tissue healing. Patients visit us for physical trauma or injury, arthritis, post-surgery, neurological conditions, orthopedic conditions, developmental delays, postural problems, and more.
Orthopedic Rehabilitation – Knee, Hip, Shoulder
Schedule your pre- and post-surgery physical therapy and rehabilitation with BCH Rehabilitation Services at 208-267-3141 ext. 4276.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a technique physical therapists (PTs) use for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. You may have heard of the “opioid epidemic” and be concerned about how to manage pain without these addictive drugs. Dry needling can be a big part of the solution. It is an effective and very safe way to resolve muscle pain without pain medicines and their side effects.
Read More Dry Needling for Pain Relief by Dr. Jessica Seaburg
Nu-Step Recumbent Cross Trainer
Fry Healthcare Foundation has purchased new equipment for Boundary Community Hospital Physical Therapists to use for orthopedic rehabilitation. The Nu-Step Trainer was purchased from the proceeds of the 2017 Golf Tournament.
According to Petra Timmermans, PT “The Nu-Step Trainer is wonderful for early rehabilitation of knee and hip surgeries because it allows for small movements, unlike a stationary bike where the knee and hip have to be able to flex over 90 degrees to make a full revolution. Patients are in total control of the movement and especially after surgery, it decreases the fear of pain. They are able to gradually increase the range of the movement at their own pace.”
Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) Machine
The CPM Machine provides post-operative passive range of motion rehabilitation which prevents joint stiffness, edema, soft tissue contractures and muscle atrophy. The color-coded patient set-up is anatomical, comfortable and easy; hand programmable and interchangeable for right and left use. With an estimated 25% of the Hospital’s outpatients presenting with shoulder issues, this passive range of motion machine will be a significant addition to the Rehabilitation Department.
Compared to the hip and knee, the shoulder is a very flexible joint with an immense range of movement. This allows us to do activities such as playing golf or tennis or reaching behind our back. The downside is that the shoulder is much more susceptible to injury and overuse. Because there are so many more small muscles and tendons surrounding and stabilizing the shoulder, injury or surgery often needs to be followed by a period of protection of the tissues that were damaged, to prevent further damage or tearing. One of the most common surgeries in this category is the rotator cuff repair. Though the principles and benefits of early mobilization are still true, it is at the same time crucial that the vulnerable tendons first re-attach properly before they can absorb any strain. These patients have their arm in an immobilizer and are not allowed to use their own muscles to move their arm, typically for six weeks. The only movement allowed is passive movement, performed by the therapist, two to three times per week for six weeks. Imagine how beneficial it will be to have a CPM machine that can guide the shoulder joint through all its movements, and provide slow, gentle motion on a consistent and predictable basis. Because the patient does not need to move their own muscles, this machine can be used immediately.
Thanks to the Fry Healthcare Foundation and the Festival of Trees, this now has become a reality for our Rehab Department and we are extremely excited to have this state-of-the-art piece of equipment available to us. Read More