New Physical Therapy Clinic for Treatment and Research

Patients at the Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center will now have access to physical therapy (PT) at the Columbia University Medical Center, following the establishment of a dedicated physical therapy clinic. Physical therapy plays an essential role in the management of cerebral palsy (CP), with many people with CP requiring PT through all stages of life.  The clinic, headed by physical therapist Lisa Yoon, PT, DPT, PCS, fulfills a crucial role in the longitudinal care of our patients. Dr. Yoon brings over 25 years of clinical experience treating infants and young children with developmental, neuromotor and neuromuscular disabilities, with special expertise in the evaluation and treatment of  individuals with cerebral palsy.  

Dr. Yoon has carefully selected specialized equipment to support the spectrum of ages and function of people with cerebral palsy. "As a lifespan care center, the PT clinic equipment was selected to address the needs of all patients from infants acquiring new skills, children recovering from surgery, to older adults who may be regaining skills, or improving their physical function and independence," said Dr. Yoon.

At the PT Clinic, Dr. Yoon will conduct evaluations and provide follow-up episodic care to help patients, and their caregivers meet immediate goals through treatment and education. This will allow Dr. Yoon to care for a breadth of patients. Patients may return after an episode of care to work on new goals. Dr. Yoon already conducts evaluations with Jason B. Carmel, MD, PhD,  at the Infant Movement Evaluation Clinic for children aged 2 and under. Her new clinic will provide patients from these evaluations as well as patients referred by other CP providers a path to much needed therapy. 

Looking ahead, Dr. Yoon also plans to host exercise groups for individuals with CP. "Many adults with CP experience signs of premature aging, such as early muscle loss, chronic pain and functional decline. Although exercise is the solution for this, most people with CP do not have the support or adapted equipment to execute such a program," said Dr. Yoon. "A tailored and individual program designed by a physical therapist using specialized equipment that provides graded levels of assistance in an environment with like-minded people may be the solution to this."

Located adjacent to the WFCPC’s Human Neuromodulation Laboratory, the clinic will also support the lab’s exercise program for their study on spinal cord stimulation. "Physical therapies are among the best validated treatments for CP. The new clinic will enable access to high-quality, evidence-based therapies by Dr. Yoon, a master clinician," shared Dr. Carmel. "In addition, the clinic will enable us to test new therapies, including spinal stimulation, with standard of care physical therapy. The new facility will allow us to advance both our clinical care and research missions."