How Patients Can Restore Their Strength, Balance And Mobility With Therapeutic Exercise

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 exercises are important for restoring balance that can be lost through certain medical conditions. They can also be critical for the elderly who may have difficulty walking and be vulnerable to falls. The aim of these exercises is to improve lower-body strength and also to develop the vestibular system (the part of the inner ear associated with balance and spatial perception).

Flexibility exercises can help patients restore the suppleness of their joints and their range of motion. They are also an important safeguard against potential future injuries. Most of these exercises involve stretching, and many are very easy to perform without equipment. In addition, many stretching exercises are emotionally satisfying to perform and engender a sense of well-being.

This is an important point about movement and exercise in general. For those suffering from disease or injury, simply getting the body moving again be a tremendous boost for morale. This is important because a patient's overall mindset plays a critical role in how quickly and well they will recover. Numerous studies have shown that patients with a positive mindset respond better to therapy and bounce back that much quicker than those with a gloomier outlook.




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