Find out more about physical therapy for National Physical Therapy Month
It’s the 30th annual National Physical Therapy Month! In recognition of this important month, we are sharing a brief article about physical therapy and its benefits.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is care that is used to develop and recover functional movements and ease pain. A physical therapist uses various techniques to help patients live healthy, active lives after a stroke, after suffering an injury, during cardiac recovery, and more.
Ten Common and Uncommon Uses for Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help patients in many situations – not just post-injury.
Here are ten circumstances under which physical therapy might be prescribed, or a physical therapist may be brought in for a consultation:
1. Childhood Disabilities
Children who exhibit various disabilities may benefit from physical therapy both for reaching developmental milestones and for doing everyday actions in a way that does not cause pain. Autistic children, kids with cerebral palsy, children with Down’s syndrome, and many neuro-muscular issues can be helped with physical therapy.
2. Chronic disability
While many disabilities begin in childhood, most are chronic and can cause an individual to need life-long help. Physical therapy can help disabled individuals find pain-free ways to walk, stand, climb stairs, and more.
3. Pain management
If you have read a fictional account of physical therapy, it is often depicted as painful. However, most physical therapists focus on helping individuals manage pain, so they do not have to remain on harmful painkillers during and after recovery. Pain management can look like helping a patient stretch and exercise an area as it heals to ensure proper and pain-free recovery. It can also look like finding ways to reduce chronic pain through evidence-based movements.
4. Cardiopulmonary difficulties
Cardiopulmonary physical therapists can help patients improve their breathing and lung capacity. This is often helpful for people with asthma, COPD, emphysema, during recovery from heart failure, and other pulmonary conditions.
5. Spinal cord injury
Depending on the injury, physical therapy can help a child or adult recover range of motion, increase mobility, improve balance, and more.
6. Sports-related conditions
The physical therapists you are most likely to see on TV or elsewhere are sports therapists. These specialists work with athletes to improve their game through physical training and during recovery from a sports injury.
7. Female Health
Specialists in women’s health may prescribe physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction, lymphedema, post-birth issues, and pre or post-menopausal difficulties.
8. Carpel tunnel and other repetitive injuries
Physical therapy can be used to help one recover from repetitive strain injuries and help a patient find ways to perform work without repetitive strain. Alternative movements, stretching, and more can be used to help prevent further damage over time.
9. Traumatic brain injury
Physical therapists work with patients suffering from traumatic brain injury, whether from stroke or outside trauma. Many factors go into this type of physical therapy, but most commonly, the therapist will help the patient relearn specific movements and regain strength.
10. Fracture recovery
Orthopedic physical therapists help to treat musculoskeletal trauma. This means that, once your broken bone is healed, a physical therapist can help the patient recover range of motion, reduce pain, and learn to use that part of their body once again.
Physical therapy has helped many patients worldwide heal in a way that allows them to live a pain-free, mobile life. Here at FeldCare Connects, we appreciate all of the wonderful, dedicated physical therapists who connect with us and provide their services to our partners.
Happy National Physical Therapy Month to you all!
Reach out to FeldCare Connects to kickstart your journey in home health now! Either call us at (818) 926-9057, or go to feldcareconnects.com/clinicians
