Regional Health Services of Howard County
Regional Health Services Spotlight:
Jennessa Luzum
 Jennessa Luzum is an Occupational Therapist at Regional Health Services of Howard County (RHSHC). She graduated from Iowa State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Being the kind of person who loves to learn, Jennessa wanted to continue on with her education and was interested in occupational therapy. She completed her Master of Science graduate degree in Occupational Therapy in 2001 at Colorado State University. Jennessa has worked in rehab since 2001 at Rehab Care, as well as St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. She has also worked at the Winneshiek Medical Center since 2006. As an occupational therapist, Jennessa specializes in hand therapy, is certified as a lymphedema therapist, and is certified in ASTYM.
ASTYM (augmented soft tissue mobilization) is a rehabilitation treatment that provides a breakthrough in the way soft tissue injuries are treated. It identifies and treats abnormal soft tissue, tapping into the body’s natural healing process to enable rapid return to activity, free from pain and limitation. Diagnoses that respond well to the ASTYM include: post-surgical scarring, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral and medial epicondylitis, DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis, and wrist sprains.
Lymphedema is the chronic swelling of arms and/or legs. It can be successfully treated through the use of manual lymph drainage, which is a light massage completed by an occupational therapist, along with the use of compression garments and basic exercises.
The RHS Rehabilitation Department recently acquired a new Fluidotherapy machine that is used for hand therapy. Fluidotherapy is a heat modality consisting of a dry whirlpool of finely divided corn cobb particles suspended in a heated air stream. This method of treatment is used when the occupational therapist gently manipulates the patient’s hand or wrist, along with sensations of warmth and texture, in order to reduce pain, increase motion, and desensitize skin/scar tissue from acute or subacute traumatic or non-traumatic musculoskeletal disorders. Common diagnoses that benefit from the use of Fluidotherapy include: wrist and finger fractures, stiff hands, arthritis, and wrist sprains.
When Jennessa was asked what she likes best about her profession, she indicated she really enjoys meeting and working with patients, and likes the variety and flexibility being an occupational therapist allows. We are pleased to feature Jennessa in the first RHS Spotlight segment and to have her be part of the healthcare team at RHSHC. Occupational therapy appointments are made by a referral from your healthcare provider. |
