Health Services
Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

What is Physical Therapy?

The Physical Therapy Program at St. John Medical Center is a health care specialty involved with evaluating and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to restore maximal functional independence to each individual patient. The treatments promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Various therapeutic techniques and modalities are utilized to accomplish this.

What Problems can Physical Therapy Help?

  • Post surgery rehab for all joints
  • Neck and back pain
  • Joint pain
  • Chronic pain
  • Pregnancy back pain
  • Poor balance
  • Stroke
  • Arthritis
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Headaches
  • Post Concussion Syndrome
  • Pelvic Pain
  • Vestibular Dysfunction
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis

Why St. John Medical Center PT Therapists?

Our staff of licensed health care professionals has more than 100 years of combined experience.

The Physical Therapy Staff includes a board certified orthopedic specialist and a spine specialist. All therapists are skilled in spine and joint rehabilitation for both post operative and nonoperative patients as well as rehabilitation of neurologically involved patients.

Read our staff members' bios.

Acute Care PT

The PT staff at SJMC make patient care their top priority by engaging one on one at the bedside for each treatment session while hospitalized. Early Therapy intervention has been linked with shorter hospital length of stay and increased patient independence on discharge.

Spine and Orthopedic Center

Our SOC offers BID PT/OT sessions after total joint replacement surgery. In the accommodations of a 5 start hotel, our patients can receive specialized group therapy sessions in our large rehab gym among others that have gone through similar surgical reapair.

Stroke Team Rehab

The therapy department at SJMC supplies dedicated staff for daily stroke rounds. As part of the accreditation process, Stroke team therapists are responsible for beginning rehab within 24 hours of admission during the most critical time of stroke rehabilitation.

The Balance Center at SJMC

Falling in the elderly population continues to be a trend in the community that can result in lost independence and relocation away from home. The therapist at SJMC designed The Balance Center in 3 phases to identify those at risk in the community and get these individuals the tools they need to maintain an active lifestyle.

Inpatient Balance Assessments
Each patient identified with balance deficits at SJMC is evaluated with specific outcome measures and trained for balance awareness until discharged from the hospital. Patients that continue to be at risk or have balance deficits are refered to Balance Specialists.

Outpatient Balance Specialist
Each Therapist working in the outpatient Balance Center has taken coursework to hone the skills required to specialize in this cutting edge service line. We utilize our state-of-the-art NueroCom equipment for patients who demonstrate certain balance deficiencies

Each patient is put through a battery of evidence based outcome measures and tested for balance deficiency to determine a plan of care that is specific to the needs of each client.

Community Support
Every Physical Therapist at SJMC is committed to educating the community through monthly seminars on the importance of balance. These educational lectures are performed at area nursing homes, independent living facitlities, senior centers, and health fairs as well as at the Balance center. Please call 1-877-597-6348 to sign up for the monthly seminar and free balance screening that are offered to everyone in the community.

Outpatient Therapy

Our State-of-the-Art outpatient facility opened May 2007. It features a highly qualified staff and high performance Cybex exercise equipment. At our location we can offer patients the best possible therapy to improve and restore maximum movement and functional ability.

Aquatic Therapy

It is widely known that swimming is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise available today. The natural buoyancy that water provides can relieve arthritis pain and the resistance of the water can provide strengthening. SJMC has an agreement with Westlake Recreation Center to provide aquatic therapy to those who can benefit from this structured rehabilitation program. Please call 440-414-6050 to schedule aqua therapy.

Outpatient Therapy Location

St. John Medical Center
Physical and Occupational Therapy Department
26908 Detroit Road, Suite 300
Westlake, OH 44145
PH: (440) 414-6050
FAX: (440) 925-5194

Hours of Operation

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

How Do I Start?

Once you obtain a referral from your physician, you can call our office at (440) 414-6050 to set up an appointment.

Directions to Outpatient Therapy

From the East:

  • Take I-90 West
  • Merge onto Columbia Road/Ohio 252 via Exit 159
  • Turn Right onto Detroit Road/Ohio 254
  • Pass through intersection at Canterbury Road
  • Westlake Family Health Center is on the North side of Detroit Road between Canterbury Road and Dover Center Road

From the West:

  • Take I-90 East/Ohio 2
  • Merge onto Crocker Road via Exit 156 toward Bassett Road
  • Turn Right into Crocker Road
  • Turn Left onto Detroit Road/Ohio 254
  • Westlake Family Health Center is on the North side of Detroit Road between Canterbury Road and Dover Center Road

Occupational Therapy is also offered by St. John Medical Center.


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