Wikipedia defines physical therapy as: “Physical therapy (or physiotherapy), often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention carried out by physical therapists (known as physiotherapists in some countries) and physical therapist assistants (known as physical rehabilitation therapists in some countries).”
PHYSICAL THERAPY uses exercise and therapy equipment designed to help people to improve their physical abilities or regain them. Besides clinical practice, other actions related to the profession include research, education, consultation, and administration. Physical therapists asses movement potential and give diagnosis. Then, goals are agreed upon and the physical therapist helps the patient with reaching those goals.
Physical therapy can be of use to anyone at any age, to include children to seniors, that experience a problem with movement that prevents them from engaging in their everyday activities or physically hinders their life. If you’ve been involved in a work-related injury or sports injury, car accident, have arthritis or back and neck pain, had a stroke or have become paralyzed, or any condition or injury related to loss of physical movement, you may want to seek physical therapy services.
The most common reasons one might need a physical therapist include:
- Stroke
- Limb amputation
- Paralysis
- Brain Injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Back and neck pain
- Arthritis
- Disabilities
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spina bifida
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Incontinence
- Heart rehabilitation
- Wellness & fitness education
- Pre & Post Pregnancy
- Fibromyalgia
- Balance disorders
- Neurological disorders
A PHYSICAL THERAPIST is educated and licensed to be an expert in the way a person’s body movement and structure. They help promote healthy lifestyles, physical wellness, and educate people in how to deal with the loss of movement, how to regain it and how to prevent future injuries also. Physical therapists can also educate people with disabilities on how to return to work safely as well as through making recommendations for workplace accommodations. They perform physical work conditioning and performance evaluations and provide them with the education they need to be able to return to work under safe conditions.
Physical therapists measure and evaluate abilities from the following:
- Coordination
- Balance
- Movement
- Strength
- Mobility
- Speed
- Flexibility
- Respiratory endurance
- Cardiovascular endurance & stability
Physical therapy can help to achieve goals such as:
- Gait training
- Partial weight bearing
- Standing programs for physical goals like walking
- Balance training
- Artificial limb fitting and training
- Regaining muscle strength and motor control
- Bed mobility and transfer training
- Wheelchair mobility skills
- Pain management
- Fitness
- Stretching training
- Joint motion & soft tissue healing
- Weight management
A PHYSICAL THERAPY SESSION should include the physical therapist evaluating your health, examining your physical abilities, addressing risk factors related to the person, and planning a health exercise program fit specifically for a person’s condition. They should also provide suggestions for prevention and pain management. The process is somewhat similar to this:
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Questions and evaluations – how did you injure yourself? When did the pain you are experiencing first appear? What you were doing right before you felt the pain? Have you experienced the pain any other time? What makes the pain either better or worse? What does your daily routine involve?
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Physical examinations – You will be asked to perform certain movements so they can determine which ones increase your pain. They will examine your posture, palpitate your muscles to look for any pain, spasms or increased tension. The quality and mobility of the motion of your joints and reflexes will also be checked.
- Assessments and goals – Assessments will be made. Goals will be set. A routine and care plan will be created and carried out.
PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT is dependent on the patient’s condition and, ultimately, many different elements can be involved in treatment. Pain management is another use in treatment. It might include the use of massage or other relaxation methods, joint mobilization, heat or ice, stretches, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or laser therapy.
The easiest way to complete physical therapy is in the convenience of your own home especially if travel is hard to accomplish with your condition. There are many other benefits to this as well. Recent studies find that patients who are surrounded by their friends and family in a familiar environment while receiving these services make more progress quickly.
And, what’s even better than receiving health care in the convenience of your own home? Usually, Medicare covers most of the costs related to home health care. Why? This is because it is more affordable, efficient and effective than keeping patients in the hospital.
FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE HOME CARE has many licensed physical therapists that you can work with for health care in the home. Please feel free to contact us to receive your physical therapy evaluation and care plan today!
