Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is designed to restore muscular strength and control which may have been lost due to illness or injury such as stroke, arthritis, fractures and back pain. Many physical therapy techniques are employed as patients and therapists work to restore as much joint motion and muscular strength as possible.
Forms of hydrotherapy (treatment in or with water, including whirlpool treatments), heat or cold treatments, soft-tissue release, may be used for a personal therapy regimen. If necessary, patients may also go through gait training and joint mobilization and strengthening exercises. Often, due to strokes or extreme injury or illness, physical therapy will include passive movement and patterning or neurodevelopment training which prevent stiffness and help restore and re-educate the communications network between the brain and muscles. Through the use of any one or a combination of all available methods of physical therapy, the primary goal is rehabilitation.
In summary, Physical Therapists focus on promoting optimal independent mobility, strength, and balance by: effective pain management, therapeutic range of motion techniques, education of proper body mechanics, utilizing assistive devices, and promoting wound care management.
