Individuals Thank Their Physical Therapist For Improving Their Quality Of Life By Helping Them Prevent Or Recover From Illnesses And Injuries
There are more reasons to thank a physical therapist than many people realize. Pegasus healthcare professionals in Lakeview Terrace and elsewhere understand the importance of physical therapy in helping people move freely. Their treatments help individuals continue living independently at home.
What Is A Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists are licensed and trained medical professionals. They treat medical conditions that limit movement. Therapy can help individuals restore mobility without surgery or powerful drugs.
A physician may prescribe physical therapy to help a patient recover from a particular condition. People also seek treatment on their own. They may wish to stop or reduce pain medication, increase their mobility, or prevent a health problem.
Treatment can be standalone or coordinated with other healthcare practices. In either case, the therapist will start with determining the cause and extent of immobility. They will then create a customized treatment plan.
How Do Physical Therapists Restore Mobility?
Physical therapy usually involves moving, or manipulating, the stiff areas of the patient’s body. However, therapists can choose from a variety of supplemental treatments. These include:
- Ultrasound – stimulating an increased flow of blood and promoting healing by heating
- Phonophoresis – using ultrasound combined with topical medications to reduce inflammation
- Electrical stimulation – reducing pain with electrodes placed on the skin
- Iontophoresis – combining electrical stimulation with topical medications to reduce inflammation
- Heat, moist heat, or cold – reducing pain and inflammation
- Light – using lasers or special lights to reduce pain and inflammation
All treatment choices are based on individual conditions, needs, and goals.
What Are Five Reasons To Thank A Physical Therapist?
The most significant benefit of physical therapy is improved mobility. That involves more than recovery from a medical issue. The ability to move better is essential because it increases:
- Balance
- Flexibility
- Posture
- Strength
It cannot be emphasized enough how vital these improvements are when it comes to preventing falls. Aside from injuries sustained in the fall itself, falling starts a cascade of medical issues that leave many seniors debilitated.
Secondly, many individuals thank their physical therapist for the help they’ve received for chronic pain. Therapists understand body mechanics and what causes pain. They start with gentle movement and exercises and may incorporate other treatments.
Chronic pain conditions in which individuals have experienced relief from physical therapy include:
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- Torn meniscus
- Torn rotator cuff
- Trigger finger
Pain management therapy has helped some individuals reduce or stop their pain meds or avoid surgery.
The third reason for gratitude is the way in which physical therapy aids in recovery from injury, trauma, and disease. Therapy can help cancer patients cope with the disease itself and the side effects of their treatments. Research shows that exercise can help patients survive cancer.
Therapy has proven benefits for any condition that impairs an individual’s ability to perform the daily activities of living. Among other conditions, therapy helps patients with diseases that include:
- COPD
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Incontinence
- Paralysis
- Stroke
When mobility can’t be fully restored, patients learn practical ways to compensate.
A physical therapist will create an exercise and treatment program that helps:
- Improve breathing
- Improve mood and reduce depression
- Improve flexibility and coordination
- Prevent loss of bone density due to inactivity
- Reduce swelling
- Reduce numbness, tingling, or spasms
Obtaining therapy after an accident or injury can assist in reducing pain and inflammation. The therapist helps individuals maximize their range of motion and mobility. Some individuals may be able to regain full function and prevent disability.
The fourth reason to thank a physical therapist is closely related to recovery from injury. That is injury prevention. Therapists can design fitness plans that help prevent the loss of strength and mobility that can lead to injury.
Before starting any treatment plan, a therapist evaluates any muscular or skeletal weaknesses. The fitness plan will target these areas with the goal of strengthening them. Therapists can also create regimens that prevent injuries in individuals starting a new activity or sport.
Uninjured Individuals who consult physical therapists are often concerned about their long-term wellness. They usually want to know how to keep small problems from becoming major issues later. Some may have suffered an injury in the past and want a fitness plan that prevents a recurrence.
Fifthly, physical therapy can keep individuals, especially seniors, out of hospitals or care facilities. Age-related and other health issues can lead to individuals foregoing physical activity. Lack of movement can exacerbate existing conditions.
Unwillingness or inability to move freely puts individuals at risk for infections such as bed sores. Pneumonia is another infection risk for those who are immobile. Physical therapy encourages movement.
Movement, no matter how minimal, improves mobility. That enhances an individual’s quality of life. Physical therapists deserve a thank-you for all the ways in which they increase the mobility of their patients.
Pegasus Home Healthcare Is Here To Help
Pegasus specialists in Lakeview Terrace and our other locations are dedicated to keeping individuals living independently at home. Our physical therapists provide mobility care in the privacy and safety of the home environment. We are always here to meet the level of care and assistance needed.
