NCH Outpatient Care Center at Harper helps with rehab

Mary Mullen admits that undergoing physical therapy following two total knee replacements was painful at times. But for the 69-year-old Palatine resident, the adage of “no pain, no gain” rang true. Her treatment was “worth every minute,” she says. “My physical therapists Shivangi and Katie were the most helpful. They didn’t let me give up – that’s why I’m walking today!”

Mary says she was especially pleased that she could get treatment closer to home at the new Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) Outpatient Care Center at Harper College in Palatine.

The Outpatient Care Center is a state-of-the-art hybrid healthcare facility that brings together under one roof a physical therapy clinic, immediate care center and primary care physician offices along with labs, imaging, immunizations, student physicals and occupational health testing. It’s located on campus and open to anyone in the community.

Physical Therapist Shivangi Potdar says a wide range of people with all types of orthopedic issues such as pain can be helped. Treatment is offered for patients with back, neck, shoulder, joint or knee pain; muscle, tendon or ligament sprains or ruptures; gait and balance disorders; weakness; nerve injuries such as sciatica, radiculopathy and neuropathy; headache related to neck pain or posture; and injuries from car accidents or work incidents, including worker’s compensation cases.

“Physical therapy is a program designed for each individual specific to their injury, pain level, posture, body type, strength, mobility, endurance, fitness level and most importantly, to each patient’s individual goal,” Shivangi says.

The Outpatient Care Center has access to an Olympic-sized pool, treadmill, stationary and arm bikes as well as ultrasound, electric stimulation, cervical and lumbar traction, stretching bands, foam pads and rollers, therapy balls, weights, a trampoline, parallel bars and more. “We also do massage, joint mobilizations, taping (Kinesio tape, McConnell tape) and traction for pain relief,” Shivangi says.

Additionally, physical therapists treat people with vestibular (inner ear/balance disorders) such as vertigo and dizziness through positional and exercise-based treatment.

Physical therapy appointments can be made by calling 847-618-0170. Hours are Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. A prescription for physical therapy is no longer needed, as a new law allows patients to schedule an appointment without first having to visit a primary care physician for a referral.