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.
Whether a person has been injured, suffered a stroke, or has a degenerative disease such as Parkinson's which considerably restricts their movement, walking, and daily activities, he or she can benefit from the care provided by a physical therapist. The primary objective of these healthcare professionals is to provide patients with the instruction, equipment, and exercises they need to recover.
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.
At the initial appointment with the therapist, the patient will be asked a series of questions pertaining to his or her general health and the condition for which treatment is being sought. The therapist will also conduct several tests that allow him or her to evaluate aspects of the patient's movement such as gait, body mechanics, functional activities, and flexibility. These findings will be used to determine the best approach to treatment.
The patient and therapist will work together as a team to set some goals and devise a plan to achieve them. A basic component of most treatment plans is a course of actions which will help one more easily carry out day-to-day activities with less pain and in such a way that healing is not hindered. The therapist can show the patient new ways to do things that will encourage recovery, and also provide him or her with any necessary assistive equipment.
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.
Some patients may also benefit from the use of massage in their treatment plan, either deep tissue or soft tissue mobilization variations may be utilized depending on the type of disorder or injury. Any progress the patient makes in therapy will be reported to his or her primary care physician by the therapist, who will continue to modify the plan as needed.
Whether a person has been injured, suffered a stroke, or has a degenerative disease such as Parkinson's which considerably restricts their movement, walking, and daily activities, he or she can benefit from the care provided by a physical therapist. The primary objective of these healthcare professionals is to provide patients with the instruction, equipment, and exercises they need to recover.
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.
At the initial appointment with the therapist, the patient will be asked a series of questions pertaining to his or her general health and the condition for which treatment is being sought. The therapist will also conduct several tests that allow him or her to evaluate aspects of the patient's movement such as gait, body mechanics, functional activities, and flexibility. These findings will be used to determine the best approach to treatment.
The patient and therapist will work together as a team to set some goals and devise a plan to achieve them. A basic component of most treatment plans is a course of actions which will help one more easily carry out day-to-day activities with less pain and in such a way that healing is not hindered. The therapist can show the patient new ways to do things that will encourage recovery, and also provide him or her with any necessary assistive equipment.
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.
Some patients may also benefit from the use of massage in their treatment plan, either deep tissue or soft tissue mobilization variations may be utilized depending on the type of disorder or injury. Any progress the patient makes in therapy will be reported to his or her primary care physician by the therapist, who will continue to modify the plan as needed.
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