A physical therapist for more than four decades, Stephen Judd has worked in a variety of settings including private practices and institutional facilities. His expertise can now be found locally at Bridgewater Physical & Occupational Therapy. When the center opened, a joint venture of Hunterdon Healthcare System and Atlantic Health System, Stephen was the obvious choice to be the Senior Physical Therapist. After seeing the high level of service being offered, he accepted the position.
Stephen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association in both their orthopedic and sports medicine sections. He is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.
At Bridgewater Physical & Occupational Therapy the staff provides a lot of one-on-one care and patients see the same therapist every time. In addition to the three full-time physical therapists, there is also a certified hand occupational therapist. Treatment consists of hands-on therapy combined with exercise equipment, electrical stimulator machines, and other devices. Each person receives his or her own tailored regimen.
“Our therapists show a lot of caring and empathy,” says Stephen. “And, our licensure requires that we have 30 clinical hours of continuing education every two years, so our staff is definitely keeping up to date with new techniques, new procedures and new information.”
When patients first come in, they receive an hour-long evaluation to ensure that they are prescribed the optimal treatment plan for their needs. Besides coming into the center, they are also started on a home program consisting of exercises to reinforce their rehabilitation.
“When they’re coming in for follow up visits, we’re usually hands-on with the patient for at least a half-hour of the time frame that they will be in the clinic, which is usually an hour to an hour and a half,” says Stephen. “We also supervise them as they’re going through their exercise routines.”
The amount of times patients come in per week and the length of time their treatment plan lasts depends on a variety of factors. The key, Stephen explains, is to give patients a beneficial program they can do at home during and after their course of treatment at the center. If a patient comes back six to eight months later with a similar type of problem, it’s probably because they weren’t compliant with their home exercise regime. Strong relationships are built between the therapists and patients. If people do come back, whether, for the same issue or a new one, they often request the therapist they had before.
Although physical therapy can help improve the lives of patients with a variety of mobility and neurological problems, injured muscle tissue and orthopedic issues are what they see the most of at the clinic. Other common ailments include complications from strokes, Parkinson’s disease, or Bell’s Palsy. The center also gets a lot of post-surgical patients.
During COVID-19 the center is following the same protocols outlined by the Hunterdon Medical Center. Patients are masked the entire time, and social distancing is in place, so no two patients are ever in close proximity to each other. The staff is also masked and wearing goggles. Every patient is screened for symptoms related to COVID-19, as well and advanced cleaning procedures are also in place.
“Our main focus with physical therapy is to get everybody to achieve the functional goals that we establish with the patient,” says Stephen.
Bridgewater Physical and Occupational Therapy is located at 1121 Route 22 West, Suite 207, and can be reached by calling 908-237-4109.
