We treat patients referred from the Center for Older Adults Program or primary care providers if there is a diagnosis of cognitive changes, dementia, confusion or Alzheimer’s.

When you come to Occupational Therapy, we focus on making you as independent as possible with:
– Bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, and all tasks around the house.
– Simple sandwich preparation to full meal preparation, depending on your needs.

• We can look at special equipment for your bathroom as well as proper lighting and scatter rug issues to make you as safe as possible in your home.
• If you pay the bills, we can look at handling your money from making change in a store to managing your checkbook.
• We help you to manage your schedule to keep you as organized as possible and to potentially also manage your medications within that schedule.
• We also offer the Safe Driver Screening Program if either you or your family feel you are having cognitive issues that may impair your ability to drive safely.
• We educate your family on strategies to make you as successful as possible in your home.

In addition, our Speech and Language Pathologists provide assessment and treatment of communication impairments, including attention, memory, executive functions, organizational skills, as well as receptive and expressive language, reading, and writing impairments as impacted by cognitive domains for activities of daily living, learning, academic and vocational performance. These impairments may be seen in patients with brain injury or tumors, stroke, anoxia, and degenerative diseases including dementia.  Additionally, we have programming and support in our Language Maintenance Skills Group for some patients for social connectivity and maintenance of cognitive and language skills achieved in individual sessions.

The Hand Therapy Program at York Hospital is staffed with Occupational Therapists with years of experience.  We work closely with orthopedists, physiatrists, rheumatologists and primary care physicians.  We see patients both before and after hand surgery.  We target patients with shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand injuries.

We treat a variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to:

• Cumulative Trauma, such as Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow Tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger Fingers and DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
• Fractures, sprains and dislocations in the fingers or arm
• Dupuytren’s Contractures
• Painful, swollen joints from both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Work Related Injuries
• Post-Stroke or Neurological Related Issues

We offer individualized evaluations and treatment programs that may also include customized splinting and positioning needs.

During inpatient care within medical-surgical, ICU, or day surgery; York Hospital offers a cohesive team of inpatient therapies including Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists. Our team specializes in assisting patients with treatments to strengthen, improve function, and eventually assist with discharge planning to determine patients’ needs for furthering the continuum of care.

Our therapists are individually specialized, but generally treat a wide range of diagnoses including:

• Orthopedic – elective and post traumatic
• Post Surgical Care
• Cardio/Pulmonary
• Stroke
• Speech and Swallowing Disorders
• Postpartum Obstetric Care

Together, with a team of doctors, case managers, nurses and other healthcare professionals, the therapists determine safety with return to home or additional needs with further inpatient, Home Care, or outpatient levels of therapy.

Our Certified Lymphedema Therapists have specialty training to effectively treat lymphedema, which is an abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid. It can oftentimes affect different parts of the body, including arms, legs, the pelvis, abdomen, or chest.

Lymphedema can be caused by damaged lymphatic vessels resulting from surgery, venous insufficiency, cancer treatment, or genetics. Lymphedema is not a curable diagnosis; however, our therapists are trained in complete decongestive therapy, which remains the “gold standard” for treatment. We can teach you to manage your symptoms through exercise, compression, manual drainage, and skin care to allow you to participate in everything you want to do.

Our physical, occupational, and speech-language pathology therapists are specialty trained to help those affected by cancer and cancer treatments. We coordinate care before, during, and after surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or any other treatments you may have.

Our rehabilitation program is individualized depending on where you are in your treatment. It is designed to focus on addressing treatment side effects, helping you to maintain your range of motion, strength, activity, energy levels, and independence during treatment, and ensuring you get back to doing what you love.

Specific symptoms we treat:

• Lymphedema of the arms, legs, pelvis, trunk, head and neck.
• Bowel or bladder concerns resulting from prostate, gynecologic, or anorectal surgeries, or sometimes seen with hormonal therapies
• Pain, tightness, or range of motion impairments from surgery or radiation therapy
• Cancer related fatigue
• Dysphagia/swallowing and communication impairments associated with head and neck cancers
• We support the swallowing process during treatment for potential expeditious removal of feeding tubes post-radiation, if appropriate to return to oral nutrition
• Soft tissue tightness, fibrosis resulting from radiation

Our orthopedic and sports physical therapists come from a wide array of backgrounds with extensive training and experience in evaluating a multitude of orthopedic injuries and post-operative procedures. We will work closely with you and your physician in establishing a plan of care so you can reach the goals you desire in your day-to-day life.

We work one-on-one with you, include family when you deem appropriate and are available by phone or email when questions and concerns arise.

Our orthopedic therapists use research-based techniques including traditional methods as well as newer cutting-edge techniques. We hold certifications in a range of subspecialties, including Functional Movement Assessments and Blood Flow Restriction, as well as training in Dynamic Variable Resistance, TRX, Mulligan, and Maitland therapies.

We treat patients of all ages, from acute pain to chronic disorders, and work with you in establishing the most appropriate recovery plan for you to achieve your goals.

Common referrals to our department:

• Neck pain (ie. cervicogenic headaches, arthritis, neck-related arm pain, post-operative spinal surgery, disc issues
• Shoulder pain, post-operative shoulder surgeries, elbow pain, shoulder arthritis/tendon issues, labral issues, sport-related injuries
• Thoracic pain (ie. Disc issues, arthritis, nerve pain, rib pain)
• Low back pain (ie. Disc issues, arthritis, lower extremity nerve pain, sacroiliac disorders, instability)
• Hip, knee, ankle, and foot pathologies (ie. Arthritis, tendon problems, meniscus/ligament/labral issues, bursitis), post-operative surgeries, sport-related injuries

Extensive Treatments offered:

• Manual therapy to joints, muscles, and nerves.
• Progressive strength training, sport-specific training with the use of body weight, resistive equipment, balance devices
• Dry needling (functional and neurologic) to treat local and peripheral pain
• Sports taping
• Gait, assistive device training
• Electrophysical modalities to treat pain, improve muscle function
• Balance Training
• Proper lifting mechanics

Our experienced and skilled pediatric occupational, physical, and speech-language therapists have specialized skills in treating infants, children, and youth of all ages. We focus on each individual child and family’s situation and needs, and design collaborative programs to meet these mutually determined outcomes. Our child and family-focused team provides comprehensive evaluations and ongoing innovative therapy to children of all ages to enhance and restore function, mobility, and participation in all environments. Our team of 10+ therapists focus on addressing each child and family’s strengths and areas of need to allow each child to move toward their full potential and participation. All while having fun during play-based activities!  Children learn to move, communicate, play, and interact with their environments in a meaningful and natural manner.

Some of the common impairments we treat regularly:

• Torticollis and plagiocephaly
• Infant, toddler, and child feeding difficulties
• Sensory issues
• Executive function challenges
• Fine motor delays
• Communication/language challenges
• Mobility issues including the need for adaptive equipment or orthotics/bracing
• Milestone differences in motor, sensory, language, play, attention
• Neurodevelopmental impairments: cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, hypotonia, prematurity, HIE, autism
• Musculoskeletal issues: Legg Calve Perthes, scoliosis, injuries, pain, s/p orthopedic procedures
• Toe walking
• Behavior and attentional issues
• Pediatric autoimmune diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Recovery from pediatric traumatic brain injury, cancers, surgeries

We work closely with our local pediatricians and primary care providers, as well as having relationships with pediatric specialists at Maine Med, Boston Children’s Hospital, and MGH-Pediatrics. We have two clinic locations:  South Berwick and York/Long Sands.

For more information about our pediatric therapy team, please visit  our website

At York Hospital, our pelvic health physical therapists are specifically trained to evaluate and treat different types of pelvic floor concerns. We work with all ages and genders with the focus of serving individual patients and helping achieve your best quality of life.

Your comfort is important to us and we will work with you to determine an effective plan of care and treatment plan depending on your goals.

We work closely with primary care and specialists in OBGYN, urogynecology, urology, gastroenterology, oncology, and pain specialists to coordinate your care.

We treat a variety of symptoms that can sometimes stem from pregnancy and childbirth, abdominal or pelvic surgeries, as well as other chronic disorders and other age- or trauma-related conditions.

Specific concerns that we treat:

• Bladder concerns, including leakage, urgency/frequency/overactive bladder, difficulty emptying, or pain with urination
• Bowel concerns, including chronic constipation, difficulty passing bowel or incomplete emptying, bowel urgency, fecal leakageof solid stool, gas or mucus, pain with bowel movements.

• Pelvic pain or discomfort, including the tailbone, lower abdomen, lower back, groin, buttock or hip; pain in the genital region.
• Pelvic organ prolapse or the feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic region.
• Sexual concerns, including pain with sexual activity, painful speculum exams or inability to tolerate tampon insertion; erectile dysfunction.
• Pelvic cancer rehabilitation, including restoring function and managing pain and scar tissue discomfort after surgery and/or pelvic radiation for cervical, uterine or colorectal cancer.
• Pregnancy and postpartum pelvic floor therapy, including treatment of pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti abdominis (separation of abdominal muscles), Cesarean scar weakness and/or pain, perineal healing postpartum and urinary and bowel leakage.
• Pre- and postoperative care for pelvic surgery, such as hysterectomy, pelvic reconstruction, bladder sling, sacrocolpopexy and other procedures.

Post-concussion rehabilitation at York Hospital encompasses a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation professionals including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists who help patients of adolescence-age through older adulthood recover from a concussion.  A patient who has had a concussion may report symptoms including, but not limited to headache; nausea; balance issues; dizziness or vertigo; sensitivity to light or noise; sadness; sleep disturbances; and changes in attention, concentration, and/or memory. The treatments that we provide are tailored to the individual needs of each patient. When working with school-aged children we prioritize the safe return to school first, followed by the safe return to physical activity including a return to sports. We prioritize your own individual goals and help with making a safe return to all the activities that you love to do.

Our speech therapy services are located within the main campus of York Hospital, as well as York Hospital at Wells. Adult outpatient speech therapy is available to all patients ages 18 and up as ordered by physicians. Our therapists have certifications and specialty training in Vital Stim NMES, kinesiotaping for dysphagia, Langmore FEES training, and MBS.

Services Offered by Speech Pathology at York Hospital:

Dysphagia Evaluation and Treatment: 

Evaluation and treatment of swallowing function related to conditions including, but not limited to aging, stroke, neurodegenerative disease, chronic pulmonary compromise, brain injury, chronic disease state, dementia, and post-radiation therapy. Pre-radiation consultation is available for head/neck cancer patients to establish baseline swallowing skills and provide prophylactic therapy exercises and dysphagia counseling during treatment.

Modified Barium Swallow Studies (videofluoroscopy): 30-60 minutes in radiology. Dynamic x-ray of the swallowing process during consumption of barium-impregnated liquids/solids, available to ages 18+, or at the discretion of the speech department. Performed by a speech pathologist with the radiologist in attendance.

Clinical Swallow Evaluation: 60-minute office visit to evaluate the patient’s swallowing status, related to challenges with the consumption of foods and beverages for maintenance of nutritional status and pleasure.

Dysphagia Therapy: 50-60 minute sessions to address patient’s swallowing concerns and disorders identified via objective dysphagia evaluation(s), such as Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBS) and/or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Swallow Study (FEES). Can include diet texture modifications, exercises, and adjunctive modalities, such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation and kinesiotaping.

FEES: endoscopic evaluation of swallowing protocol/procedures currently in development, anticipated to be offered to patients in 2023.  

Voice Evaluation and Treatment: Requires an ENT consult/laryngoscopy prior to Speech Pathologist assessment. Evaluation and treatment of alterations to the voice occurring with, but not limited to aging, vocal cord paralysis, vocal abuse/misuse and vocal pathologies.

Language Evaluation and Treatment: Assessment and treatment of impaired receptive and expressive language, reading and written language skills with impairments occurring with, but not limited to brain injury and pathologies, stroke, degenerative diseases, including dementias.

Motor Speech Evaluation and Treatment: Assessment and treatment of dysarthria and acquired apraxia due to conditions including, but not limited to TBI, stroke, degenerative diseases, and brain pathology.

Cognitive-Communication Evaluation and Treatment: Evaluation and treatment of cognitive impairments such as attention, memory, executive functions, organizational skills, as well as receptive and expressive language, reading and writing impairments as impacted by cognitive domains for activities of daily living, learning, academic and vocational performance. Cognitive-linguistic impairments may occur with, but limited to brain injury or tumor, stroke, anoxia, and degenerative diseases including dementias.

Cognitive-Language Maintenance Skills Group: This is a self-pay group offered in 6-week sessions for 60-minute sessions 4 times a year for patients who have been evaluated and treated by one of our speech pathologists who have recommended them for this program. It is intended for social connectivity and maintenance of cognitive and language skills achieved in individual sessions. This is not billable to insurance. Patients must register in advance for each 6-week session.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Basic Assessment and Treatment of viability for external communication devices/supports for patients with extremely challenged verbal communication to non-verbal state. For advanced technology, a patient may be referred or SLP may consult with outside providers.

In addition, our speech and language pathologists provide assessment and treatment of communication impairments, including attention, memory, executive functions, organizational skills, as well as receptive and expressive language, reading and writing impairments as impacted by cognitive domains for activities of daily living, learning, academic and vocational performance. These impairments may be seen in patients with brain injury or tumors, stroke, anoxia, and degenerative diseases including dementia. Additionally, we have programming and support in our Language Maintenance Skills Group for some patients for social connectivity and maintenance of cognitive and language skills achieved in individual sessions.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) occurs in the jaw and affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), jaw bones and many of the connective muscles. Symptoms of TMD can include headaches, jaw pain, jaw clicking, teeth grinding, neck pain, difficulty chewing, difficulty speaking and difficulty opening and closing the mouth. Working with your primary care physician and/or dentist, Physical Therapy can help with managing your symptoms, improve posture, reduce muscle tension, and help correct habitual activity that can contribute to muscle overuse and pain.

Our team of vestibular physical therapists are specifically trained to evaluate and treat a wide variety of vestibular disorders. A patient who is suffering from a vestibular disorder may report symptoms of acute or chronic dizziness and/or vertigo; body motion sensitivity; visual motion sensitivity; visual blurring with head movements; imbalance; disequilibrium and/ or gait disturbances.  Evaluation includes an oculomotor examination with the use of specialized equipment including infrared goggles, a thorough balance and gait assessment, as well as positional testing in order to determine the diagnosis. Specific diagnoses that we treat include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Vestibular Neuritis
• Vestibular Labyrinthitis
• Peripheral Vestibular Hypofunction
• Vestibular Migraine
• Meniere’s Disease
• Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
• Cervicogenic Dizziness

Treatments may include repositioning maneuvers, gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance exercises, gait training, and – if needed for safety purposes – training on the use of assistive devices including trekking pole(s), cane, rolling walker or rollator.  The treatments that we provide help patients achieve their best quality of life and are catered to the goals of the individual, keeping safety as our top priority.