Many people who have been injured or suffer from a chronic condition benefit from undergoing physical therapy. Various methods are used to help patients gradually improve their coordination, strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance, under the direct care of a physical therapist. Before starting physical therapy San Francisco CA patients should find out what they can expect.
People whose ordinary actions such as walking are made difficult or painful due to an illness or injury have hope for an improved lifestyle, with the assistance of a compassionate physical therapist. Physical therapy arms those with impaired mobility with the understanding, exercises, and equipment they may need in order to recover or improve substantially from their affliction.
In order to practice as a physical therapist, one must obtain at least a master's degree from an accredited educational institution, then he or she must successfully pass a state licensing exam. Their job is to assess each patient's unique case and identify the sources of pain or restricted movement, then devise a plan which addresses these issues through appropriate treatment which will hopefully prevent the need for surgery or medications.
During the first appointment, the therapist will obtain a complete medical background of the patient, and he or she will also perform several diagnostic tests to evaluate various aspects of the patient's movement which will help pinpoint the nature of the problem. Tests to assess the patient's functional activities, gait, flexibility, and body mechanics will be carried out, and based on these findings, a therapy plan will be made.
The patient will work with the therapist to determine which goals to set, and how these can best be accomplished. Just performing regular everyday activities is a priority for most patients, and this is usually made possible through the right combination of improved methods of movement which reduce pain and encourage healing, home exercise programs, and if needed, home safety or personal mobility aids.
An important part of therapy is patient education. Simply learning how one can help speed up their own healing by choosing how he or she moves, and arranging their work environment in an ergonomic manner allows the patient to recover while still going about their normal life and lowers the chance of more injuries.
Various types of fitness equipment may be implemented, including such machines as stair-climbers, treadmills, or stationary bikes which are used to gradually build strength and endurance, or improve cardiovascular output. Therapeutic exercise without the use of equipment are also performed to restore normal movement and strength to a joint or muscle group and can include both active and passive range of motion, proprioception, and postural correction exercises.
Massage is another form of therapy that the therapist may employ; both soft tissue mobilization, and deep tissue massage may be used depending on the nature of the injury or condition being addressed. As the patient makes progress, the therapist will communicate these details to the primary care physician and make changes to the plan as needed to meet the patient's ability to take on new challenges.
People whose ordinary actions such as walking are made difficult or painful due to an illness or injury have hope for an improved lifestyle, with the assistance of a compassionate physical therapist. Physical therapy arms those with impaired mobility with the understanding, exercises, and equipment they may need in order to recover or improve substantially from their affliction.
In order to practice as a physical therapist, one must obtain at least a master's degree from an accredited educational institution, then he or she must successfully pass a state licensing exam. Their job is to assess each patient's unique case and identify the sources of pain or restricted movement, then devise a plan which addresses these issues through appropriate treatment which will hopefully prevent the need for surgery or medications.
During the first appointment, the therapist will obtain a complete medical background of the patient, and he or she will also perform several diagnostic tests to evaluate various aspects of the patient's movement which will help pinpoint the nature of the problem. Tests to assess the patient's functional activities, gait, flexibility, and body mechanics will be carried out, and based on these findings, a therapy plan will be made.
The patient will work with the therapist to determine which goals to set, and how these can best be accomplished. Just performing regular everyday activities is a priority for most patients, and this is usually made possible through the right combination of improved methods of movement which reduce pain and encourage healing, home exercise programs, and if needed, home safety or personal mobility aids.
An important part of therapy is patient education. Simply learning how one can help speed up their own healing by choosing how he or she moves, and arranging their work environment in an ergonomic manner allows the patient to recover while still going about their normal life and lowers the chance of more injuries.
Various types of fitness equipment may be implemented, including such machines as stair-climbers, treadmills, or stationary bikes which are used to gradually build strength and endurance, or improve cardiovascular output. Therapeutic exercise without the use of equipment are also performed to restore normal movement and strength to a joint or muscle group and can include both active and passive range of motion, proprioception, and postural correction exercises.
Massage is another form of therapy that the therapist may employ; both soft tissue mobilization, and deep tissue massage may be used depending on the nature of the injury or condition being addressed. As the patient makes progress, the therapist will communicate these details to the primary care physician and make changes to the plan as needed to meet the patient's ability to take on new challenges.
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