Comprehensive Guide to UCLA Burbank Physical Therapy Services

UCLA Health offers quality and personalized care for the treatment of a variety of orthopedic conditions, as well as a wide array of rehabilitation services. The rehabilitation services team includes more than 300 employees with specialized expertise. Our rehabilitation specialists include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, prosthetists/orthotists, audiologists, speech pathologists, cardiopulmonary rehab specialists and integrative therapists. From audiology to speech pathology, UCLA Health provides comprehensive treatment for a wide range of conditions for both adults and children.

Scheduling an Appointment at UCLA Burbank Physical Therapy

To schedule an appointment at the UCLA Burbank Physical Therapy, visit our office on the 4th floor (Room 417) or call 310-794-4923. A valid physical therapy referral is needed to schedule an appointment.

Important Information for Your Visit

What to Bring: Remember to bring your BruinCard and complete the Clinical Questionnaire.
Arrival Time: Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Note that you will not be seen if arriving more than 15 minutes late.
Late Cancellation/Missed Appointment Fee: Be aware that there is a $20 fee for missed appointments and late cancellations (less than 24 hours before the appointment time).
Attire: Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being treated (e.g., wear shorts or sweatpants if you are coming in for a knee issue).
Insurance Eligibility: Check your insurance eligibility prior to your appointment.

Fees

UC SHIP: Initial and follow-up visits cost $15.
Non-SHIP: The initial visit costs $210, and follow-up visits are $150.

Fees at The Ashe Center

Location and Directions

The Ashe Center, Floor 4 (Room 417). Enter the 4th Floor and check in on the kiosk to the left, then proceed down the hall to the Bruin Bear mural. The closest paid parking is available in Lot 4 or 7. To check-in, please stop at the iPad next to the insurance office at the front of the 4th floor before proceeding down the hall to our clinic.

Hours of Operation

Monday-Thursday: 8 am - 6 pm
Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Wednesdays: Lunch closure is extended from 12:30 pm - 2 pm

Understanding Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

When it comes to rehabilitation, occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are two essential fields that both aim to enhance a patient's ability to perform daily activities and improve overall well-being. And while they may overlap in some aspects, occupational therapists focus on helping individuals engage in meaningful activities and tasks, while physical therapists focus on improving physical function, mobility, and strength.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational therapists (OTs) are healthcare professionals who help individuals develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. They focus on promoting independence and participation in meaningful activities.

Focus: OTs focus on helping individuals of all ages participate in the activities and tasks that are meaningful and important to them, often referred to as "occupations" or "activities of daily living" (ADLs). These occupations or ADLs can include self-care activities (such as bathing, dressing, and eating), work tasks, leisure activities, and social participation.Strategies: OTs use a holistic approach to address physical, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that may impact a person's ability to engage in daily activities. They may utilize interventions such as adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, sensory integration therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and skill-building exercises.Settings: OTs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health facilities, community health centers, and private practice.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapists assess a patient’s functional abilities, identify barriers to participation, and develop personalized intervention plans. They may provide therapeutic activities, recommend assistive devices, modify environments, and teach compensatory strategies to improve a person’s independence and quality of life.

Occupational therapy focuses on improving someone's activities of daily living (or ADLs), like getting dressed or grooming or eating. We basically focus on things that they do day-to-day which have been impacted by some kind of condition, disease, or injury," Leah explains. "If they can no longer do these things for themselves, OTs will be consulted and look for ways to bridge the gap, so that these patients can start working on being independent again and doing the things they were doing before they got sick.

When and Why Do Patients Need Occupational Therapy

One thing I love about occupational therapy is that you get to work with so many populations, and you see so many different patients. Patients may need occupational therapy when they experience physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges that interfere with their ability to perform daily activities. There are several reasons why patients might require OT:

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Physical injuries or disabilities: After accidents, surgeries, or conditions like a stroke, patients may need OT to regain skills necessary for independent living, such as dressing, grooming, and cooking.
Cognitive impairments: Individuals with conditions like dementia or traumatic brain injury may require OT to enhance cognitive abilities, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Mental health conditions: OT can help individuals with mental health disorders manage symptoms, improve coping strategies, and develop social skills.
Developmental delays: Children with developmental delays may benefit from early intervention OT to improve fine motor skills, sensory processing, and self-care abilities.
Chronic conditions: OT can assist individuals with chronic illnesses like arthritis or multiple sclerosis in managing symptoms and maintaining independence in daily life.

There’s such a wide continuum of care that an occupational therapist can work in. We may be called in to assist right when they get sick, or it could be in the middle, or it could be near the end. And that helps us determine what kind of treatments to focus on and decide which strategies will get them back to what they were doing.

Common Misconceptions About Occupational Therapy

#1 - Occupational therapists provide employment or career advice.
#2 - That the occupational therapist will have an easy "fix" or "solution" for the patient.
#3 - That once you accept occupational therapy, you’ll need it forever.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Physical therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who specialize in restoring movement and function in individuals affected by injury, illness, or disability. Our specialty is the neuro-musculo-skeletal system and our role is to educate patients on how to optimize the function of that system.

Focus: PTs focus on helping individuals improve their physical function, mobility, and strength (in order to improve the ability to perform ADLs. They assess and treat movement dysfunctions, as well as neurological and musculoskeletal conditions that may result from injury, illness, or disability.Strategies: PTs use a variety of techniques and modalities to address impairments, relieve pain, restore mobility, and promote functional independence. These may include therapeutic exercises and activites, manual therapy, gait training, balance training, sensory integration, aquatic therapy, taping, and modalities such as biofeedback and electrical stimulation.Settings: PTs work in diverse settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, sports medicine facilities, skilled nursing facilities, schools, and home health agencies.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Physical therapists evaluate a patient’s movement patterns and impairments, diagnose movement dysfunctions, and develop individualized treatment plans. They use a variety of techniques such as therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities to improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent disability.

There's so much scope within our practice, but whatever we're dealing with- whether it's helping a patient recovering from surgery or addressing a chronic condition-we're trying to facilitate healing and optimize a patient's physical function within their daily lives," Leena explains. "However we look at a person very holistically, because what they do in life and what kind positions and postures they might have to sustain are all factors that may affect their outcomes.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

When and Why Do Patients Need Physical Therapy

There's a wide range of conditions that physical therapists can treat. From pediatrics to pelvic health, there are fantastic specialists who can help. Patients typically require physical therapy when they experience impairments in movement, balance, strength, or mobility.

PT may be recommended for various reasons, including:

Injury rehabilitation: After surgeries, fractures, falls or sports injuries, physical therapy helps patients regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Chronic pain management: PT can alleviate pain and improve function for individuals with conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches, neck pain, or back pain.
Neurological conditions: Patients with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or spinal cord injuries benefit from PT to enhance mobility, coordination, and balance.
Cardiovascular conditions: PT is crucial for patients recovering from heart attacks, strokes, or cardiac surgeries to improve cardiovascular health, endurance, and functional capacity.
Pre- and post-surgical care: PT plays a vital role in preparing patients for surgery, optimizing their physical condition, and facilitating recovery afterward.
Pediatric conditions: PT is used to assist infants and children with developmental disorders, sensory processing issues, and conditions like scoliosis.
Pelvic health: Physical therapy can help treat incontinence, pelvic pain, postpartum issues.

UCLA Health Rehabilitation Services: A Comprehensive Approach

When you choose UCLA Health rehabilitation services, you are choosing:

Excellent success rates: Patients and staff members work together to strategically develop care plans and problem-solve using evidence-based standards. We partner with you to ensure your voice is heard and your needs are met. As a result, our patient satisfaction rate is consistently greater than 90%.
Easy access to care: We provide both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation care. Patients have easy access to services through more than 15 rehab locations.
Specialized services: We target specific rehabilitation programs to specific patients. For example, we provide specialized services for babies and children in intensive care. We also lead community outreach programs to empower seniors to stay active and continue living independently.

Areas of Care at UCLA Rehabilitation Services

UCLA rehabilitation services include a range of specialized care programs. Our areas of care include:

Audiology: Our team of expert audiologists works with patients through the life span. We conduct newborn hearing screenings and specialize in hearing aids and cochlear implant programming and management. We work closely with the multidisciplinary medical team to provide state-of-the-art, evidence-based care.
Cardiac rehabilitation: Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is a supervised and monitored outpatient program designed to help improve your cardiovascular health following a recent heart event, procedure, and/or surgery.
Hand therapy: Our certified hand therapists specialize in hand and upper extremity injuries. Our aim is to reduce pain and improve function after a hand injury or diagnosis. These services may be appropriate if you have complex regional pain syndrome, a fracture, repetitive strain injury, tendonitis or arthritis.
Integrative Medicine: Integrative medicine includes non-medication strategies to promote health, symptom management, and relaxation. We offer integrative therapy to patients who are hospitalized within UCLA Health and also on an outpatient basis. Treatments may include gentle movement, aromatherapy, guided meditations or breathing exercises.
Massage therapy: Massage is beneficial to relieve stress, encourage relaxation, and promote a sense of well-being. Relaxation massage therapy services are available at the bedside for hospitalized patients.
Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists work with patients to improve function with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing or grooming. We assess balance, strength and cognition. Depending on your condition, we may also suggest equipment (such as a cane or walker) or home modifications. We also provide education to family members and support people to ensure that you are well cared for when you return home after a hospital stay. In the inpatient/hospital setting, we work with patients to improve their ability to perform activities of daily living to enable them to progress to the next level of care. In the outpatient setting, we work with patients with a wide range of diagnoses, including orthopaedic, neurologic and pediatric. A specialty area within outpatient occupational therapy is hand therapy.
Pelvic Health Physical Therapy: Our pelvic health physical therapists optimize pelvic floor muscle health and treat pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic health physical therapists can help patients with a range of concerns and health conditions including (but not limited to): bladder concerns (urgency, leakage), bowel dysfunction (constipation, leakage), pelvic pain, pregnancy and postpartum care, or post abdominal and pelvic surgery.
Physical therapy: Physical therapists help people return to or gain higher levels of function after an illness or injury. We evaluate strength, range of motion, balance and endurance, and write personalized treatment plans. We may use exercise, manual techniques, or modalities to improve your function. Physical therapists also can recommend durable medical equipment, such as walkers or wheelchairs. In the inpatient/hospital setting, we provide mobility-related therapy to enable patients to progress to the next level of care. In the outpatient setting, we work with patients with a wide range of diagnoses, including orthopaedic, neurologic and pediatric. In addition, our specialized services within outpatient physical therapy include lymphedema management, pelvic floor rehab, vestibular rehab, burn care, balance and fall prevention, including an exercise program especially for seniors, and much more.
Prosthetics and orthotics: These rehabilitation specialists evaluate, measure, fabricate and fit patients with artificial limbs and braces. This treatment may be appropriate for some patients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders. It is also an appropriate treatment for those who have experienced amputation, trauma or gone through certain surgeries.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Our comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program helps you improve your respiratory function with exercise, education, and mental health support. We use research-based therapies to improve your health and quality of life.
Speech Pathology: Through the Speech Pathology Clinics, we provide comprehensive treatment for speech, language, and cognitive and swallowing problems for adults and children. We offer services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

Our goal is to coordinate your care as conveniently as possible. We communicate our findings to your primary care provider and involve you in forming and customizing your treatment plan.

Insurance Information for UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO)

UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO) has a contract with Medicare and enrollment in the plan depends on contract renewal. UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan includes Part D drug coverage. To enroll in UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan, you must have both Medicare Parts A and B and reside in the plan service area, Los Angeles County. Please contact Member Services at 1-833-627-8252 (833-MAP-UCLA) (TTY 711) for additional information. Hours are 8am - 8pm PT, Monday - Friday, April 1 through September 30, except on all federal holidays. Members enrolled in UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO) must use plan providers except in emergency or urgent care situations. If a member obtains care from an out-of-network provider without prior approval from UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan, neither Medicare nor UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan will be responsible for the costs. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star ratings may vary by contract or market.

tags: #ucla #burbank #physical #therapy #services