Physical therapy (PT) is a clinical profession that specializes in movement and function, promoting wellness and improving quality of life. Patients of all ages and medical situations can receive treatment- regardless of the problem source: work injury, illness, aging, personal injury, or accident. Using manual therapy, exercise, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and other techniques, physiotherapists help patients return, as much as possible, to active, independent lives, with the objective of improving quality of life.
The Physiotherapy Institute at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center provides treatment for both inpatients and outpatients. Physiotherapy is available throughout the hospital’s inpatient departments, as well as at the Rehabilitation Hospital and the Physiotherapy Institute.
Outpatient services are available to soldiers, health fund members, and private patients, in both individual and group sessions. The Institute also offers a dedicated group for patients with gait and balance disorders and a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
A modern rehabilitation gym is located adjacent to the Institute, providing advanced facilities for exercise as part of the rehabilitation process. The physiotherapy team also provides guidance on physical activity and healthy ergonomic practices.
Rehabilitation Pool
The Institute offers individual and group hydrotherapy treatments. Group programs include osteoporosis prevention, fibromyalgia therapy, and aerobic exercise.
Areas of Treatment
- Pediatrics: Physiotherapy is provided across pediatric inpatient departments, including Orthopedics, Surgery, and Intensive Care, in areas such as respiratory, orthopedic, neurological, and developmental care. Children and their families receive guidance on exercises, assistive and rehabilitation equipment, and continued care in the community. Respiratory physiotherapy focuses particularly on preventing postoperative respiratory complications.
- Orthopedics: Treatment following fractures and injuries, joint replacement surgery, arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, tendon repair, joint pain, movement limitations, postural problems, whiplash, and amputation.
- Neurology: Rehabilitation following stroke and treatment for neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and ALS.
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Treatment for chronic respiratory diseases and breathing difficulties following surgery or mechanical ventilation. The Institute also offers a pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with severe COPD.
- Dizziness and Balance: Treatment for dizziness and balance disorders associated with the vestibular system, eye movement, and sensory function.
- Lymphatic System: Treatment for lymphatic drainage disorders and swelling, including rehabilitation following procedures such as mastectomy.
- Gait: A dedicated group program for patients with gait and balance disorders.
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Pelvic Floor: Treatment for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle weakness following surgery or childbirth, provided by a specialist physiotherapist at the Urogynecology Clinic.
To schedule pelvic floor physiotherapy, please send a valid physician referral and authorization (Form 17) by fax to 03-6925615 or email pturog@tlvmc.gov.il.
Women’s Clinics: 03-6925657, extension 4
Location: Women’s Health Center, Sourasky Building, 2nd Floor - Foot Physiotherapy: Treatment for infants and children with clubfoot at the Foot Clinic at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital.
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): Physiotherapy for TMJ disorders is provided at the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic by a physiotherapist specializing in this field.
- Gait Laboratory: Located within the Pediatric Orthopedics Department at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, the laboratory evaluates children with gait disorders, particularly those related to neurological or muscular conditions. It also assesses the effectiveness of splints and other walking aids. The multidisciplinary team includes physiotherapists, orthopedic physicians, and gait analysis specialists and uses advanced gait-analysis technology.
Equipment and Facilities
The Physiotherapy Institute is equipped with advanced rehabilitation technology for patients with varying levels of independence. Facilities and equipment include a rehabilitation pool, gym, adjustable treatment beds, electrotherapy equipment, whirlpool baths, balance-training equipment, weights, therapy balls, resistance bands, electric treadmills, dry needling, and virtual reality systems.
Advanced Rehabilitation Technology
The Physiotherapy Institute uses advanced technologies designed to enhance rehabilitation and physical training, including the Exxentric Flywheel.
Unlike conventional weights, the Flywheel creates resistance based on the user’s own force rather than gravity. This allows muscles throughout the body to be trained independently of gravitational resistance.
The technology is also used for exercise in space, where astronauts need to maintain muscle mass without relying on gravity. At Ichilov, it enables patients to perform intensive muscle training with an emphasis on eccentric muscle activation, in which the muscle lengthens while resisting force.