Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - Dignity Health Medical Group - Santa Cruz, CA

Rehabilitation therapy is essential for regaining strength, movement and daily function following injury, illness or surgery. Our therapy services are dedicated to supporting your healing journey, minimizing pain and enhancing independence. Treatment may incorporate physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy, tailored to your specific needs. We create personalized care plans focused on helping you safely return to everyday activities and achieve a better overall quality of life.

Learn more about rehabilitation therapy

Our physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists in Santa Cruz provide a range of outpatient therapy services. They perform comprehensive evaluations and design a treatment plan based on your needs. Your care plan may include:

• Fall prevention exercises

• Gait training

• General strength and conditioning

• Hand therapy

• Home health services

• Occupational therapy

• Physical therapy

• Speech therapy

• Sports therapy

At Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation – Dignity Health Medical Group in Santa Cruz, we provide a range of diagnostic tools and medical treatments to help in your recovery, including:

• Electrodiagnosis: This specialized medical assessment measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves to diagnose neuromuscular disorders, injuries and functional impairments.
• Injection techniques: These minimally invasive steroid shots are used to reduce pain, inflammation and promote tissue healing.
• Osteopathic manipulation: This is a non-invasive therapeutic approach used to diagnose, treat and prevent injury or illness.

At your first rehabilitation visit, your Santa Cruz care team will review your medical history, current symptoms and recovery goals. They will assess strength, movement, balance or communication skills, depending on your needs. Together, you’ll develop a personalized rehabilitation therapy plan designed to support safe progress and long-term recovery. Your physician will discuss what to expect during future sessions and how you can support recovery at home.

The length of rehabilitation therapy varies based on your condition, progress and goals. Some patients need only a few weeks of therapy, while others may benefit from longer-term care. Your care team will regularly evaluate your progress and adjust your treatment plan to support continued improvement and safe recovery.

Many health insurance plans cover rehabilitation therapy services when they are medically necessary. Coverage may vary based on your plan, diagnosis and number of visits allowed. Our team can help verify insurance coverage, explain benefits and answer questions before you begin therapy.