After an injury or illness, many patients continue to have impaired mobility and function, which has the potential to impact their quality of life drastically. In these cases, a thorough physical therapy program can help them regain their strength without causing additional harm. Here’s a guide for patients on what to expect once they’ve been referred to a physical therapist.

Understanding Physical Therapy

Targeted Conditioning for Healing & Pain Relief

Physical therapy programs have been used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including back and shoulder pain, osteoporosis, and the aftereffects of stroke, among others. It consists of targeted stretching and strength-building exercises intended to fortify tendons and improve flexibility. Often, once patients have completed the program, they report having more mobility and experiencing greater comfort than they’ve known in years.

Cost Savings

Many issues involving your skeletal system are caused by imbalances in muscular strength, which forces joints out of alignment. If left alone, these problems can require surgery to fix. But a physical therapy program can often reduce pain and restore joint flexibility without surgery, eliminating both the risks and the physical and financial costs that would involve.

How Physical Therapists Design Treatment Programs

Physical therapists have an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, which allows them to identify the source of the problem. Drawing on their expertise, they can then prescribe specific exercises to strengthen the affected muscles and soft tissue, and evaluate a patient’s risk of injury. Because many patients are unable to complete the exercises on their own, physical therapy programs are supervised, with a professional to help you through each session.

As a compassionate primary care medical home, MediCenter, in Kenai, AK, helps you look after what matters most—your family and your health. Their friendly, professional staff takes a community approach to medicine, offering services to cover every aspect of your life. Visit their website for more on their physical therapy programs, follow their Facebook for updates and news, or call (907) 283-9118 to make your first appointment.