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.
Individuals with ongoing health disorders which cause pain and difficulty with movement, as well as anyone who has endured an injury which has impaired their mobility in a similar manner, can begin the journey to recovery with the help of a dedicated physical therapist. These professionals provide patients with the tools they need to move and live more comfortably, both through a course of exercises and by making any necessary rehabilitation equipment available.
Physical therapists are required to earn a master's degree or doctorate in their discipline from an accredited educational facility and pass a state licensing exam before they can practice. They thoroughly assess the cause of pain and limited mobility in each patient, and develop a treatment plan which will most effectively address these issues, and hopefully eliminate the need for medications or surgery.
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 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.
Patient education plays a significant role in many physical therapy programs. The therapist will show them not only safer ways to go about doing their regular activities, but also more ergonomically conscious techniques they can implement in the workplace so they can continue to work without hindering their recovery process or causing further 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.
Individuals with ongoing health disorders which cause pain and difficulty with movement, as well as anyone who has endured an injury which has impaired their mobility in a similar manner, can begin the journey to recovery with the help of a dedicated physical therapist. These professionals provide patients with the tools they need to move and live more comfortably, both through a course of exercises and by making any necessary rehabilitation equipment available.
Physical therapists are required to earn a master's degree or doctorate in their discipline from an accredited educational facility and pass a state licensing exam before they can practice. They thoroughly assess the cause of pain and limited mobility in each patient, and develop a treatment plan which will most effectively address these issues, and hopefully eliminate the need for medications or surgery.
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 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.
Patient education plays a significant role in many physical therapy programs. The therapist will show them not only safer ways to go about doing their regular activities, but also more ergonomically conscious techniques they can implement in the workplace so they can continue to work without hindering their recovery process or causing further 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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