Contact CORE at Holyoke Medical Center:
413-534-2555
Services are also available at:
1970 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020
413-535-4991
2150 Main Street, Suite 140, Springfield, MA 01104
413-535-4996
Cardiac Rehabilitation
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is a physician referred exercise program for patients with heart disease. The program is facilitated and monitored by the cardiac rehabilitation coordinator, registered nurse and an exercise physiologist.
The program consists of:
- Exercise Therapy Program – up to 36 exercise sessions after a cardiac event with educational components of diet, stress reduction, smoking cessation, etc.– requires a physician referral and is covered by most insurance providers
Holyoke Medical Center – Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Our program addresses a variety of cardiac diagnoses, including:
- Heart Attack
- Atrial/Mitral Valve Replacement or Repair
- Stable Angina
- Coronary Bypass Graft (CABG)
- Angioplasty with Stent(s)
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF with EF ≤ 35%)
For further information, or to schedule an appointment with CORE at Holyoke Medical Center, please call (413) 534-2555.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy provides personalized treatment for people with hand, wrist, and elbow injuries, post surgical rehabilitation, arthritis, neurological problems, chronic disease, and lymphedema. Our Occupational Therapists can help you to function at your best, at home, at work, and for all of the other activities that are important to you.
Occupational Therapy Services:
Certified Hand Therapist on staff- Hand, Wrist, Elbow, Injuries and Post Surgical Care
- Upper Extremity Splinting
- Return to work skills
- Arthritis, Pain and Chronic Arm and Hand Pain
- RSD, CRPS, Fibromyalgia Treatment
- Neurological injuries and disease
- Activities of Daily Living and Functional Activities
- Lymphedema specialist
For further information, or to schedule an appointment with CORE at Holyoke Medical Center, please call (413) 534-2555.
CORE occupational therapy services are available at Holyoke Medical Center and CORE Physical & Occupational Therapy in Springfield.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
All individuals have a pelvic floor, a complex system of muscles, and fascia within the pelvic region. Bowel and bladder activity, as well as sexual function, are controlled when we contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles.
Pelvic Floor Therapy is available to individuals experiencing any of the following:
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Pelvic Pain
- Prenatal and Postpartum Care
- Pelvic Pain needing Trauma-Informed Care (PTSD, Sexual, Physical, Mental, Verbal abuse)
- Sexual Dysfunction/Pain
- Bowel Dysfunction (including Fecal Incontinence, Constipation, Anorectal Pain)
- Urinary Incontinence
- Pre or Post Gender Confirmation Surgery
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction/Pain caused by
- Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
- Pelvic Surgery Recovery
- Women’s Health Conditions (including endometriosis, infertility, and PCOS)
The Goal of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
The primary goal of all forms of pelvic floor rehabilitation is to:
- Gain control of your bladder and bowel control
- Reduce medication use for incontinence and pain
- Potentially reduce the need for surgery
- Provide self care education including diet and lifestyle changes that can reduce symptoms
- Increase awareness and coordination of muscles
- Improve rectal sensitivity to improve fecal incontinence
- Reduce scar burden to allow for improved muscle function
What to Expect on the First Visit
During your first visit, you will have a chance to share your history and concerns. We will answer any questions you may have regarding the exam. Patient education is a key component of the first visit to help you understand why you are having symptoms, and how you can take control of them. If pelvic rehabilitation is necessary it would be valuable for the therapist to assess your pelvic floor muscles internally through the rectum or vaginal canal. You always have the right to refuse, or choose to skip any part of your examination if you do not feel comfortable.
Pelvic Floor Functions
The pelvic floor has three main functions:
- Supporting the pelvic organs
- Sphincter control for bowel and bladder function
- Enhance the sexual response.
An imbalance, surgery, or injury to any of the connective tissue in this region can contribute to pain and dysfunction.
Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Common symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction include:
- Frequent urination or strong urgency to void
- Urinary leakage
- Constipation
- Bowel incontinence
- Pain during sexual activity
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Tailbone, lower back, or deep hip pain
Causes of Pelvic Pain
Finding the cause of pelvic pain is like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Pain may be caused by direct trauma to the pelvic floor from childbirth, a fall, or other accident. Pain may also be referred to the pelvic area from distant sites such as the lumbar spine, sacrum, coccyx, and hip joints. For example, a lumbar herniated disc may be putting pressure on a nerve which is felt as pain in the groin or pelvic floor.
A thorough musculoskeletal assessment is vital to the comprehensive treatment of pelvic pain.
A Physical Therapist Can Help
Although Pelvic Floor disorders are common, you do not have to live with the symptoms. Our therapists have specialty training in pelvic floor disorders. You will work one-on-one with a therapist to discuss your symptoms privately. Together you will create a customized treatment plan to improve your symptoms. Pelvic Floor Therapy offers a non-surgical option to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and may include:
- Assessment of structures, strength, coordination
- Stretches or strength exercises of your pelvic floor muscles
- Core stabilization exercises
- Biofeedback to help improve coordinated contractions
- Soft tissue mobilization, and other manual therapy techniques to address muscle imbalances
- Self-care education including diet and lifestyle changes that can reduce symptoms
- Relaxation techniques
- Improved breathing mechanics, body mechanics
- Pain management
Make an Appointment
To learn more about the Pelvic Floor Therapy at CORE, please call our office at (413) 534-2555 and speak with one of our team members.
Providing Equal Care to All
Holyoke Medical Center does not discriminate against any individual regardless of race, color, religious creed, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran or active military status, marital status or national origin/ethnicity, physical or mental disability, personal values or belief systems.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy designs rehabilitation programs to fit your needs, whether you are recovering from an injury, a medical condition, or have had a surgery. Our skilled therapists treat a wide variety of orthopedic and neurological conditions. You and your therapist will set goals and work together to attain your highest potential.
Physical Therapy Services:
- Spinal and Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
- Work and Sports Injuries
- Neurological Injuries and Disease
- Vestibular Rehabilitation and Balance
- Arthritis, Pain and Chronic Pain
- Pelvic Floor Therapy
For further information, or to schedule an appointment with CORE, please call (413) 534-2555.
CORE physical therapy services are available at Holyoke Medical Center, CORE Physical & Occupational Therapy in Springfield, and CORE Physical Therapy in Chicopee.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a necessary and extremely beneficial program for people with chronic respiratory disease in order to help return to, and maintain, their maximal functional independence.
Holyoke Medical Center provides our community with outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation under the direction of board certified pulmonologists.
Our program addresses a variety of respiratory diagnoses, including:
- COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
- Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency
- Occupational lung disease
- Post-surgical procedures
- Asthma
- Lung cancer
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Airway obstructions
- Interstitial lung disease
Education and training are key aspects of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Individualized exercise program and scheduled classes are provided. Progressive aerobic exercise is an important therapeutic component utilizing stationary bicycles, treadmills, and other equipment. Additionally, strength training using resistive bands and weights are included. Participants are monitored during exercise for oxygen level, heart rate, blood pressure, and tolerance.
A physician’s referral is necessary to begin the program.
The program is operated Tuesday/Thursday: 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30 – 3 p.m.
For further information, or to schedule an appointment with CORE at Holyoke Medical Center, please call (413) 534-2555.