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Persistent Pain Program

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Why is rehabilitation important?

Everyone experiences pain at some point in their life. In most cases, pain resolves within a few days or weeks. Unfortunately, some people experience pain that persists for months or even years. This persistent pain can have a large impact on a person’s life, making it hard to complete daily tasks. Many patients with persistent pain have been through the “wash cycle” of care (MD’s, chiropractors, physical therapy, acupuncture, etc.) with little to no relief. This can result in frustration and uncertainty about the cause of the pain and the best treatment approach. Our persistent pain program is geared towards providing evidence-based care to help patients understand their symptoms, and develop the skills to overcome their pain.

How does the Regional Rehabilitation Center treat individuals who have persistent pain??

Here at Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Center, we consider the biological, psychological, and social components that influence the disorder. We utilize the most current, up-to-date assessment and treatment strategies to address the broad issues that are often associated with persistent pain. This includes:

  • Shared value-based goal setting
  • Pain education
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Laterality training
  • Nerve mobility techniques
  • Mirror therapy
  • Motor imagery
  • Graded exposure
  • Manual therapy techniques including soft tissue and joint manipulation
  • Therapeutic exercise and activities
  • Flexibility and range of motion exercises/techniques
  • Functional movements/exercises

Our physical therapy program is individualized, meaning it is centered around you and your needs. During your physical therapy evaluation, you and your physical therapist will discuss the best treatment options, including frequency and duration, for you based on your presentation and needs.

Helpful Links:

Locations:


photo of Upstate University Hospital
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at University Hospital
Upstate University Hospital
Map & directions
Rm. N2104
750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-4:30pm

photo of Upstate Bone and Joint Center
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Bone & Joint Center
Upstate Bone and Joint Center
Map & directions
Suite 201
6620 Fly Road, East Syracuse, NY 13057
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon. Wed. Fri. - 8am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 8am-6pm

photo of Manlius Health Center
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Manlius
Manlius Health Center
Map & directions
Suite 200
102 West Seneca Street, Manlius, NY 13104
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon. Wed. Fri. - 8am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 7:30am-6pm

photo of Institute For Human Performance (IHP)
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at IHP
Institute For Human Performance (IHP)
Map & directions
1st Fl.
505 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon. Wed. Fri. - 7am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 7am-6pm

photo of Upstate Rehabilitation at Western Lights
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Western Lights
Upstate Rehabilitation at Western Lights
Map & directions
Suite B-100
4671 Onondaga Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13219
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: M, W: 8:00am - 4:30pm Tues & Thurs: 8:00am - 6:00pm Fri: 7:30am - 4pm

photo of Upstate Community Hospital
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Community Hospital
Upstate Community Hospital
Map & directions
4900 Broad Road, Syracuse, NY 13215
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7am-4pm

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Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Township 5
Township 5 Camillus
Map & directions
Suite 500
208 Township Blvd, Camillus, NY 13031
Phone: 315 464-6543

A physician’s referral is required in order to receive therapy services.

To contact the Regional Rehabilitation Center call: 315-464-6543
Fax: 315-464-4753

Providers

Patricia M Clark, PT, DPT, CBIS
Patricia M Clark, PT, DPT, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Russell Sage College, 2015
  • BS: SUNY Albany, 2012

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Amputation; Brain Injury; Stroke; Trauma; Amputee Rehabilitation; more

Clinical Interests

  • Neurology - stroke, TBI


Nicole M Conese, PT, DPT, NCS
Nicole M Conese, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: University of Maryland at Baltimore, 2015, Physical Therapy
  • BS: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2012, Exercise Science

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Neurology; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; more

Research Interests

  • Research Physical Therapist involved in SLeep Effects on Post-Stroke Rehabilitation (SLEEPR) Study

Clinical Interests

  • Stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, vestibular rehabilitation

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Neurology Section

Emily J Costello, CSRS
Emily J Costello, CSRS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • Additional Training: SUNY Upstate Medical Center, 2017, CBIS

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Brain Injury; Neuromuscular Disease; Stroke; Neurological Rehabilitation; Stroke Rehabilitation

Education Interests

  • Conpleted Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist course and exam in 2015


Kayla N Critser, PT
Kayla N Critser, PT
315 464-8668

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Neurology; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; more

Carrie E Garcia, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS
Carrie E Garcia, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: West Virginia University School of Medicine, 2001, Speech-Language Pathology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Speech Pathology; Brain Injury; Cognitive Disorders; Communication Disorders; Concussion; Dysphagia; more

Associations/Memberships

  • American Speech -Language -Hearing Association

Aimee L Graham, PT, DPT, NCS
Aimee L Graham, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Injury; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Spinal Cord Injury; Stroke; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; more

Kelly A Grier, PT, DPT, CEEAA
Kelly A Grier, PT, DPT, CEEAA
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, 2017
  • PT: Russell Sage College, 1998

Kaelynn E Hoole
Kaelynn E Hoole
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Utica College, 2011, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Therapy - Adult; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Amputation; Amputation; more

Amy M Jennings, MS OTR/L, CBIS, MHA, LNHA
Amy M Jennings, MS OTR/L, CBIS, MHA, LNHA
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MHA: Utica College, 2015

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)

Vicki M Kalina, PT
Vicki M Kalina, PT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • PT: Quinnipiac College, 2002

Meghan A Klawonn, MD
Meghan A Klawonn, MD
315 464-5540

Education & Fellowships

  • Residency: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2022

Research Interests

  • Disability Advocacy

Clinical Interests

  • Pediatric Rehabilitation, Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Cancer Rehabilitation, Tone Management, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Associations/Memberships

  • American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMandR)
  • American Medical Association

Christina T Legg, PT, DPT
Christina T Legg, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2016
  • BS: SUNY Binghamton, 2011, Integrative Neuroscience

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Amputation; Brain Injury; Falls; Hip Fracture; Stroke; more

Christine C Lighthipe
Christine C Lighthipe
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Therapy

Julie A Lombardi, PT, DPT, NCS
Julie A Lombardi, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2008

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Neurology; Brain Injury; Dizziness and Vertigo; Parkinson's Disease; Stroke; Neurological Rehabilitation; more

Clinical Interests

  • LSVT BIG therapy for Neurological Disorders
    Rock Steady Boxing Certified

    Vestibular therapy

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Carly M Mann
Carly M Mann
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Occupational Therapy - Adult; Amputation; Blurred Vision; Brachial Plexus Injury; Brain Aneurysm; more

Kimberly A Nemi, OTR/L, CBIS
Kimberly A Nemi, OTR/L, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • BS: SUNY Buffalo, 1993, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Concussion; Dizziness and Vertigo; more

Research Interests

  • Concussion Management

    Visual and Vestibular disorders

Education Interests

  • Visual dysfunction and low vision services- occupational therapy

Clinical Interests

  • Concussion Care, Brain Injury

    Aquired visual disorders

    Low vision

    Cognitive dysfunction


Kristin A Overend, PT
Kristin A Overend, PT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • PT: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2008, Master's of Physical Therapy
  • BS: St. John Fisher College, 2005, Biology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Amputation; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Guillain Barre Syndrome; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); more

Research Interests

  • Research Physical Therapist in SLEep Effects on

    Post-Stroke Rehabilitation (Sleepr) Study.


Maria J Podbelski, DPT
Maria J Podbelski, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2016

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Physical Therapy; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Brain Injury; Dizziness and Vertigo; Falls; more

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Meaghan Porter, PT, DPT
Meaghan Porter, PT, DPT
315 464-8668

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2018, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Bone Cancer; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD ); Hip Fracture; Neuropathy; Pulmonary Disorders; Inpatient Physical Therapy

Research Interests

  • Benefits of mobility in the ICU with intubated patients to improve function. 

     

Clinical Interests

  • Oncology, Respiratory Diseases, Early Mobility in the ICU, Emergency Care in GEM


Kathleen A Rake, OTR/L, CHT
Kathleen A Rake, OTR/L, CHT
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Hand Specialist; Concussion; Lou Gehrig's Disease; Concussion Management; Concussion Management, Rehab Service; Outpatient Occupational Therapy

Education Interests

  • Clinical Coordinator for OT, Speech Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation students

Clinical Interests

  • Hand Therapy, Burn Rehabilitaion, ALS, Concussion program


Denali Remonda, PT, DPT
Denali Remonda, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Buffalo, 2009

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Amputation; Brain Injury; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Muscular Dystrophies; Spinal Cord Injury; more

Beth Rolland, OTR, CDRS, CBIS
Beth Rolland, OTR, CDRS, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Columbia University, 1997, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Concussion; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); more

Lynne Romeiser-Logan, PT, PhD, PCS
Lynne Romeiser-Logan, PT, PhD, PCS
315 464-5820

Education & Fellowships

  • PhD: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, 2009

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Physical Therapy; Brachial Plexus Injury; Cerebral Palsy; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Spasticity; more

Research Interests

  • Effectiveness of treatments for children and adults with neurological disorders.

Education Interests

  • Evidence based practice

Clinical Interests

  • Spasticity, developmental disabilities, brachial plexus injury, neurological disorders.


Lisa E Rothwell, PT
Lisa E Rothwell, PT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • BS: SUNY Buffalo, 1988, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Dizziness and Vertigo; Body Weight Support Treadmill Training, Physical Therapy; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Chronic Disease Management; more

Education Interests

  • Health and wellness, Aging and longevity

Clinical Interests

  • Burns, SCI, neurological disorders, balance, seating and positioning, TBI


Kelly Ryan, OTR,CSRS,CBIS
Kelly Ryan, OTR,CSRS,CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • BS: SUNY Buffalo, 1992, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Amputation; Brain Injury; Stroke; more

Jennifer I Spieker, OTR/L
Jennifer I Spieker, OTR/L
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • OTR: Keuka University, 2001

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Stroke; Occupational Therapy

Emily E Talbot, MS, CCC-SLP
Emily E Talbot, MS, CCC-SLP
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Ithaca College, 2011

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Speech Pathology; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Dysphagia; more

Clinical Interests

  • Evaluation and treatment of dysphagia, stroke, TBI, cognitive communication disorders, aphasia, apraxia.

Associations/Memberships

  • American Speech -Language -Hearing Association, Ccc-Slp

Adrian Wagner, PT, DPT, NCS
Adrian Wagner, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Neurology; LSVT Big; Vestibular Rehabilitation; Brain Injury; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); more

Danielle J Wheeler-Vickery, PT, DPT, GCS
Danielle J Wheeler-Vickery, PT, DPT, GCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: University Hospital, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 2014, Physical Therapy
  • BS: Russell Sage College, 1996, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Geriatric Physical Therapy; Physical Therapy; Stroke; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Geriatrics; Inpatient Physical Therapy; more

Research Interests

  • Sleeper Study

Clinical Interests

  • Geriatrics, Stroke Rehab, Neuro and Brain Injury, General Surgery and medicine, Ortho Trauma

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

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