The Physical and Occupational Therapy Department at Boston Medical Center offers expert care to those recovering from an injury or facing a physical disability or limitation. Physical therapy and occupational therapy can help patients regain strength or mobility, relearn skills, or find new ways of performing everyday tasks. Our experts will work with your care team to ensure coordinated care that helps you recover as much as possible. ### Physical and Occupational Therapy - [Contact Us](#contact-us) - [Specialty Clinics](#specialty-clinics) - [Programs and Services](#programs-and-services) - [Conditions We Treat](#conditions-we-treat) - [Treatments & Services](#treatments-services) - [Our Team](#our-team) - [Patient Resources](#patient-resources) - [Department News](#department-news) - [Residency and Fellowship Information](#residency-and-fellowship-information) Physical and Occupational Therapy has moved from the Preston Building to South Bay (39B District Ave, Dorchester). ## Contact Us ##### South Bay Location [617.638.7869](tel:617.638.7869) Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM ##### Hyde Park Location [617.638.0330](tel:617.638.0330) Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM ##### Winthrop Location [617.638.0300](tel:617.638.0300) Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM ## Specialty Clinics [### Physical Therapy A program within the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy providing physical therapy (physio) to help patients recover from injury, improve movement, and manage pain through personalized treatment and rehabilitation. ](/departments/physical-and-occupational-therapy/physical-therapy) [### Occupational Therapy A program within the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy helping patients improve daily living skills, regain independence, and adapt to physical or cognitive challenges through personalized treatment. ](/departments/physical-and-occupational-therapy/occupational-therapy) [### GenderCare Center A program providing gender health services and gender-affirming care for people across the gender spectrum, including clinical support, hormone therapy, surgical consultation, and coordinated care. ](/departments/gendercare-center) [### Orthopedic Surgery An orthopedic surgery program specializing in hip replacement surgery and knee replacement surgery. Our team provides advanced surgical techniques, personalized care plans, and comprehensive rehabilitation to improve quality of life and movement. ](/departments/orthopedic-surgery) [### Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center A center within the Department of Neurology where movement disorder specialists and Parkinson’s specialists diagnose and treat Parkinson’s disease and related disorders with personalized care to improve symptoms and quality of life. ](/departments/neurology/parkinsons-disease-and-movement-disorders-center) [### Pain Clinic (Pediatrics) A pediatric specialty care program that provides pediatrics pain management for children and teens through cognitive and behavioral strategies, physical therapy, mindfulness, massage therapy, medications, reflexology, and integrative therapies ](/departments/pediatric-specialty-care/pain-clinic-pediatrics) [### Rheumatology A program providing rheumatologic medicine for joint and autoimmune diseases, including diagnosis and treatment for gout, lupus, vasculitis, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions, with coordinated, multidisciplinary care. ](/departments/rheumatology) [### Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center A comprehensive stroke center within the Department of Neurology providing advanced stroke treatment for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke with expert cerebrovascular care. ](/departments/neurology/stroke-and-cerebrovascular-center) ## Programs and Services [### Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, & Imaging at South Bay Boston Medical Center’s Rehabilitation clinic has moved to a new location within South Bay and is joined by Orthopedic and Radiology services. Through a collaborative care model, Orthopedic clinicians and Radiology services are available to patients in this state-of-the-art facility. ](/physical-occupational-therapy/rehabilitation-orthopedics-imaging-south-bay) ## Conditions We Treat - [Abdominal Pain and Pelvic Floor Disorders](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/abdominal-pain-and-pelvic-floor-disorders) - [Balance Disorders](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/balance-disorders) - [Bone and Joint Replacement](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/bone-and-joint-replacement) - [Bone Fracture](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/bone-fracture) - [Concussion](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/concussion) - [De Quervain's Tendonitis](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/de-quervains-tendonitis) - [Dyspareunia](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/dyspareunia) - [Interstitial Cystitis (IC)](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/interstitial-cystitis-ic) - [Lymphedema](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/lymphedema) - [Overactive Bladder Disorder (OAB)](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/overactive-bladder-disorder-oab) - [Parkinson's Disease](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/parkinsons-disease) - [Pelvic Floor Weakness](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/pelvic-floor-weakness) - [Pelvic Organ Prolapse](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/pelvic-organ-prolapse) - [Pelvic Pain](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/pelvic-pain) - [Spinal Fractures](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/spinal-fractures) - [Walking Abnormalities (Gait Abnormalities)](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/walking-abnormalities-gait-abnormalities) ## Treatments & Services Each patient will experience a different treatment program designed especially for them. By working with the patient and their loved ones physical and/or occupational therapists can care for patients to provide the following therapies: - Walking and balance retraining - Wheelchair seating and medical equipment assessment - Mobilization Techniques - Return to Sport Retraining - Physical Modalities - Range of motion, strengthening, flexibility, and stabilization exercises - Body weight supported treadmill training - Neuromuscular re-education - Functional electrical stimulation - Splinting - Functional mobility and transfer retraining - Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) retraining - Contracture management - Vestibular rehabilitation - Fall prevention When a patient is referred to PT or OT, their first visit will be an evaluation. This means the therapist will ask about the patient’s physical history, examine the area of the body that needs therapy, and make a recommendation for treatment. Patients will be asked to come in once a week or more frequently, depending on their care plan. ### Inpatient Therapy Physical and occupational therapists work with patients while they are in the hospital to help them regain independence and function. They can also help in making sure the patient goes to a safe setting when they are ready to leave the hospital. This could be home, but could also be to a non-hospital setting that helps with physical therapy #### Physical Therapy PTs may evaluate range of motion, strength, coordination, balance and cognition as they relate to functional mobility, including bed mobility, transfers, ambulation, wheelchair mobility and stairs. #### Occupational Therapy OTs may evaluate range of motion, strength, coordination, balance, and cognition as they relate to activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, toileting, and self-feeding. ## Our Team ### The Physical and Occupational Therapy Team **Karen Mattie, PT, DPT, MS** Senior Director, Clinical Operations **Kara Schworm, PT, DPT, CCS** Director, Rehabilitative Services **Jeffrey Merritt** Operations Manager, Rehabilitative Services **Kathryn Ferrari, MSPT** Manager, Outpatient Rehabilitative Services, Boston Medical Center Campus **Michael Morrow, PT, DPT** Manager, Outpatient Rehabilitative Services, Hyde Park **Julie Murray, OTR/L** Manager, Inpatient Rehabilitative Services **James Sherman, PT, DPT** Manager, Outpatient Rehabilitative Services, Winthrop Neighborhood Health ## Patient Resources [### Preparing for your PT or OT Visit What to know before your visit, payment and insurance Information, common questions and more. ](/physical-occupational-therapy/preparing-your-visit) ## Department News ### [Boston Medical Center Opens Rehabilitation Clinic at South Bay for Comprehensive Patient Care](https://www.bmc.org/news/boston-medical-center-opens-rehabilitation-clinic-south-bay-comprehensive-patient-care) Boston Medical Center has opened a clinic at South Bay in Dorchester that will allow patients to access the latest rehabilitation care, while providing convenient access to orthopedics and radiology… May 31 ![South Bay ribbon cutting](/sites/default/files/styles/image_620w/public/news-images/IMG_4424.jpg?itok=7bpY0yJ2) ## Residency and Fellowship Information ## Physical and Occupational Therapy Education & Training for Students Clinical affiliations with accredited PT, PT, and OT programs: ### Physical Therapy - Boston University - Drexel University - Ithaca University - MGH – IHP - Northeastern University - Quinnipiac - Simmons - Springfield College - University of Indianapolis - UMass – Lowell - University of Rhode Island ### Occupational Therapy - Boston University - MGH-IHP - Springfield College - Tufts - UNH - University of Indianapolis ### Physical Therapy Assistant - Baystate College - University of Indianapolis