REHABILITATION
SVMS Division of Rehab is celebrating over 25 years of service. The division is pleased to offer State Licensed Therapists in both Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. SVMS Division of Rehabilitation is the only locally owned, operated and managed
rehabilitation facility in the area.
What is
rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation is care that helps you recover from lost or damaged function. This includes physical and occupational therapies to help regain, maintain, or improve abilities that are needed in daily life.
What do we treat?
In rehabilitation we treat many diseases, disorders, and deficits. We aim to improve strength and endurance, increase range of motion, decrease pain, and improve your activities of daily living.
Examples of common diagnoses we see:
- Sciatica
- Strokes
- Fractures
- SI joint dysfunction
- Chronic low back pain
- Rotator cuff repairs
- Carpal tunnel release
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Total knee and hip replacements
How do we treat it?
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy consists of passive range of motion, passive stretching, massage therapy, and manual adjustments. Our therapists are trained to know what techniques will work best for you.
Stretching and Strengthening
Stretching includes activities to improve your range of motion. Strengthening includes body weight and resistive exercises to improve muscle power. We often use the two together to improve function – stretching tight musculature and strengthening the lengthened and weak muscles.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation, or “e-stim’, is often used to help decrease pain and inflammation. How does this work? The electrical current stimulates nerve cells which in return blocks the transmission of pain signals. The e-stim also helps increase the level of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer.
We offer many different treatments for different diagnoses. There are treatments we offer that are not listed. Each treatment listed does not apply to each patient and will be decided by our staff if it is needed.
Our Experts
Shane Hess, MSPT
Shane began his career at SVMS in 1999 when he embarked on a new journey to build the Rehab Department with his wife, Suzanne. He grew up in Benton where he played soccer and wrestled. Following high school he attended Misercordia University and earned a Master's degree in Physical Therapy. Shane remains a big part of the SVMS family and is well known with many patients for his treatment skills.
Suzanne Hess, MSOTR/L
Suzanne has been a part of SVMS since 1999 when she and her husband, Shane, decided to help build the Division of Rehab with Dr. Williams. She went to Benton High School where she played field hockey and basketball. She then moved on to Misercorida University to continue her education as well as athletic career in field hockey. Suzanne has been a vital part of the SVMS team as the only Occupational Therapist as well as the manager for the Rehab Department. She is known for her effective treatment style, primarily for the upper extremity.
Allison McCracken, DPT
Allison grew up in Bloomsburg and went to school at Central Columbia where she played basketball and softball. Her love for atheltics lead to her decision to pursue a career in physical therapy. She went to Bloomsburg University for her Bachelor's in Science, followed by Temple Univeristy for her Doctorate in Physcial Therapy. She joined SVMS in 2023 following her graduation from Temple. Allison treats a wide variety of diagnoses focusing on the lower extremities and the spine.
Chrissy Yoder, PTA
Chrissy attented Pennsylvania State University in Hazleton where she recieved her associate's degree and graduated in 2021. She joined the SVMS family in 2022 after earning her PTA license. She grew up close by in Hetlerville and attended Central Columbia High School where she played basketball and softball. Chrissy treats patients under the guidance of Shane and Allison.
Crysta Pierce, PTA
Crysta grew up in Berwick where she played basketball and ran track for Berwick High School. She then attended Pennsylvania State University in Hazleton and began her PTA career. She started working as a PTA in 2018 and joined our Rehab Department in 2023. Since beginning her career with SVMS she has worked under the direction of Shane and Allison to assist in the treatments of many patients.
Christin Lindsey, COTA
Christin is a local from Berwick who swam for Berwick High School. After high school she attended Pennsylvania State University in Mont Alto where she earned an associate's degree. She began her COTA career in 1998 and has been a part of the SVMS Rehab team since 2014. She assists Suzanne with treatments focusing on the upper extremity.