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  • By Iva Cannon


    Physical therapy can help make life easier and less painful for those who are coping with chronic disorders or injuries which have impaired their ability to move. A physical therapist works with each patient using a combination of techniques to help restore or regain strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. When beginning a course of physical therapy San Francisco CA patients may find the following information to be helpful.

    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.

    The purpose of the first session with the therapist will be to obtain a detailed health history of the patient and determine the nature of the problem which requires treatment. Several tests will likely be done to evaluate the patient's body mechanics, flexibility, functional activities, and gait, pinpoint problems, and select the most suitable form of 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.

    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.

    Exercise is central to any physical therapy plan, and it may be done with or without the use of fitness machines. Patients may use equipment such as treadmills, stationary bikes, or stair-climbers to increase their endurance, strength, and cardio output, and they may also practice a series of therapeutic movements at home or in the therapist's office to improve strength and motion to a muscle group or joint which may include postural correction, proprioception, and passive or active range of motion exercises.

    Therapists may also use either deep tissue or soft tissue mobilization massage as part of their patient's treatment, the former is used primarily to ease pain while the latter is most effective for restoring normal function to damaged tissues. All details of the patient's progress in therapy will be communicated by the therapist to the primary care physician, and modification will be made to the plan as indicated by the patient's advancements.




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