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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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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