Burn Rehabilitation in Burlington
Burn injuries can have a profound impact on physical, emotional, and functional well-being. Healing doesn’t end when the wound closes — many patients face challenges such as stiffness, pain, scar sensitivity, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing daily activities.
​
At Cogent Rehab Burlington, our burn rehabilitation program is designed to help patients recover strength, restore movement, manage scars, and regain independence after burn injury. Our physiotherapists use a combination of manual therapy, exercise, scar management, and patient education to support long-term healing and quality of life.
What is Burn Rehabilitation?
Burn rehabilitation is a specialized physiotherapy approach that helps individuals recover from the physical effects of burns, including scarring, joint contractures, and loss of function. It focuses on:
-
Minimizing loss of mobility and joint function
-
Managing scars to improve flexibility and appearance
-
Strengthening and reconditioning for daily activities and return to work
-
Pain and sensitivity control
-
Supporting reintegration into home, school, or workplace
Cogent Rehab provides the Phase IV stage of burn care — the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and reintegration phase — after initial hospital-based treatment.​
Burn Conditions We Treat
Our burn rehabilitation program supports patients recovering from:
-
Thermal burns (heat, flame, scalds)
-
Chemical burns
-
Electrical burns
-
Radiation-related burns
-
Post-surgical skin graft and reconstruction recovery
-
Hypertrophic or keloid scars affecting mobility
-
Contractures and stiffness following severe burns
What is Included in Burn Rehabilitation?
Our Burlington burn rehabilitation program includes:
-
Progressive stretching and strengthening programs
-
Post-surgical rehabilitation after skin grafts and reconstructive procedures.
-
Scar management techniques – massage, desensitization, remodeling, desensitization and compression techniques
-
Splinting and positioning strategies to prevent contractures
-
Pain management strategies tailored to burn-specific needs
-
Deep Oscillation Therapy as a supplement to manual techniques for scar remodeling and swelling reduction.
-
Functional training for daily activities, work-hardening and independence.
-
Patient and caregiver education on safe movement, scar care and home programs
What to Expect at Cogent Burn Rehabilitation Program
Your first consultation will include a comprehensive assessment, covering:
-
Medical history, burn severity, and associated injuries
-
Physical examination of scars, mobility, and strength
-
Scar and skin sensitivity assessment
-
Pain and functional evaluation (daily activities, work, leisure)
-
Psychosocial and coping assessment
-
Weight and BMI monitoring, if relevant
-
Collaborative planning with burn surgeons, occupational therapists, and other specialists
From there, we develop an individualized plan with SMART rehabilitation goals — patient-centered, measurable, and functional — focusing on independence and quality of life.
Follow-ups ensure progress is tracked, treatments are adjusted, and reintegration milestones are achieved.
FAQs About Burn Rehabilitation
Q1. When should I start burn rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation should begin as soon as the skin is stable or cleared by your physician, often soon after wound healing or skin graft surgery.
​
Q2. Can physiotherapy improve burn scars?
Yes. Scar management techniques such as massage, stretching, and desensitization can improve flexibility, reduce thickness, and restore function.
​
Q3. Do you provide splinting for burn contractures?
Yes. We offer customized splinting and positioning strategies to reduce the risk of contractures and support joint mobility.
Q4. Can rehabilitation improve old burn scars and stiffness?
Yes. Even years after injury, physiotherapy can reduce scar stiffness, improve posture, and restore function through scar remodeling, stretching, and strengthening.
​
Q5. Is burn rehab painful?
Some exercises and scar work may feel uncomfortable, but our physiotherapists adjust treatment to your tolerance and prioritize comfort and safe recovery.
​
Q6. How long does burn rehabilitation take?
Recovery varies. Many patients benefit from ongoing physiotherapy for months to years, especially after extensive burns or multiple surgeries.
Q7. Do you work with hospital burn teams and dermatologists?
Yes. Cogent Rehab collaborates with burn surgeons, occupational therapists, and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care.