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 Medical Services: Centers Of Excellence
The Post-Polio Institute: Post-Polio Treatment
Post-Polio Institute - 877-POSTPOLIO or (201) 894-3707.
Email - PostPolioInfo@aol.com
Polio survivors diagnosed with PPS are treated on an outpatient basis one time each week for about five weeks at The Post-Polio Institute, 97 Engle Street:
Physical therapists assess muscle weakness and pain, evaluate posture and walking as well as assistive devices, past and present, such as braces and crutches. An appropriate non-fatiguing stretching program will be provided. Patients keep daily logs of their activities and symptoms to help identify the cause of their symptoms.
Individual and stress-management psychotherapy sessions help patients reduce emotional stress and help to create an acceptance of the lifestyle changes that are necessary to treat PPS.
An occupational therapist can explore the ways in which daily activities are performed. They can identify techniques and devices that will conserve energy and decrease fatigue, muscle weakness and pain.
A registered dietitian can help you increase the amount of protein you eat, reduce portion size and carbohydrate intake to increase energy and manage weight.
Sleep, breathing and swallowing evaluations may also be recommended.
Most health insurance companies and Medicare will pay a large portion (typically 80%) of the charges for the evaluations, tests and therapy sessions. You may need a referral from your personal physician if your managed care plan or HMO is to authorize evaluation and treatment The Post-Polio Institute's staff works with patients to obtain authorization for evaluation, treatment and assistive devices that are recommended.
Follow-Up Clinics
Patients continue to keep daily logs for one month after their discharge and return to The Post-Polio Institute for follow-up clinics at intervals of one month, three months, six months and 12 months. Thereafter, patients return for follow-up clinics at any time they have new problems. At the follow-up clinic, patients meet with their PPS treatment team and discuss their progress in making lifestyle changes and managing their symptoms. Modifications and additions to the symptom management program are made and any new symptoms or issues are discussed. Patients are also encouraged to call or meet with their treatment team at any time that a need arises.
The Polio Paradox:
 Uncovering the Hidden History of Polio to Understand and Treat "Post-Polio Syndrome" and Chronic Fatigue, by Dr. Richard L. Bruno was published in June 2002 by Warner Books.
This 340 page book is devoted to the enlightenment and empowerment of patients suffering from some eleven interconnected chronic neurological and allied disabilities.
They range from post polio sequelae, the late effects of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia to multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and other chronic pain and fatigue syndromes.
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