Therapeutic Exercise Restores Mobility, Strength And Coordination To Those Suffering With Injury Or Disease

By Rosella Campbell


Physical therapy is a way to remedy deficiencies in the body's capacity to function normally. They are employed in the rehabilitation of individuals recovering from illnesses and injuries that have impaired their physical capacity. In general, they are designed to restore strength, flexibility, mobility, balance and coordination. Therapeutic exercise is a long-established discipline and residents of Boston, MA will find there are many qualified therapists in their area.

Physical therapists are able to help people with a broad range of issues, and consequently they work in a variety of health-related settings. Some work in hospitals, but they can also be found in schools, research departments, hospices, fitness centers and other places where physical therapy is needed. Many choose to specialize in areas such as pediatrics, orthopedics, geriatrics and sports-related injury.

When beginning a program of care, the therapist will assess the patient's present condition. He or she will also look at the patient's medical details and any additional information provided by scans and lab tests if need be. He or she will then create a care program to address the patient's specific requirements.

The exercises contained within the program will aim to work particular muscle groups, joints or limbs. The patient will be instructed on how to perform the exercises in order to get the most from them. This process may require some adjustment since patients may find some exercises easier than others. The patient will be monitored and exercises changed or modified as needed.

In essence, the program that is prescribed will incorporate exercises designed to improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, or a combination of these. Strength training in particular can be of critical importance when patients have suffered muscle loss through inactivity. It can also play an important role in restoring confidence when patients have lost physical capacity.

Balance and coordination drills are essential for restoring lost balance that can result from certain illnesses. They are also of great help for mobility-impaired elderly patients who are at risk of falling. The aim here, is to develop lower-body strength and also the vestibular system (the area of the inner ear that controls spatial perception and balance).

Flexibility drills are aimed at restoring range of motion and suppleness. They also play an important role in preventing injury. These exercises come in many guises, but they all involve range of motion movements and stretching the muscles. Many of them also have the advantage of needing no equipment, and the positive effect they can have on a patient's sense of well-being.

This sense of well-being raises an important insight about physical therapy. Exercise (and significant movement of virtually any kind, in fact) can have a hugely positive effect on someone's mood and degree of hope. Scientific studies have demonstrated conclusively that people who are positive and optimistic recover better and more quickly than those who are more pessimistic. Physical therapy can therefore play a critical role in helping patients recover both their physical capabilities and their quality of life.




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