Physical therapy can greatly improve mobility and motion
--- two things that older adults, as well as people with chronic conditions, often
struggle with. Physical therapy can also help people recover from, or cope with, a life
changing and potentially debilitating condition such as stroke or diabetes.
Pre and Post
Treatments Involved In Physical Therapy
Applying Heat. Applying heat before or
during physical therapy has been shown to decrease pain and increase mobility
after some injuries, usually; those injuries involve soft tissues like muscles,
tendons and ligaments.
Cold Compress. Cold compress is best done
for inflammation and swelling. By constricting blood vessels after application,
cold compress is a good way to reduce injury. Cold compress therapy is best
after massage therapy to reduce pain and swelling.
Exercise. Physical therapy is not purely
massage and other passive activities. These aren’t just any old run of the mill
exercises, they’re hand-picked to help patients move better by strengthening
targeted muscles and addressing any muscular imbalances that may exist.
Finding the
Right Therapist
Physical therapy for geriatric patients focuses on
current practice and emerging issues in the care of the older client, including
long-term care in institutional and community settings, crisis intervention,
and innovative programming; the entire range of problems experienced by the
elderly; and the current skills needed for working with older clients. Most
therapists consider the current methods of managing older people with their
families. Physical therapists must have completed their coursework in the
biological, medical, psychological and physical sciences. They must have
graduated from an accredited education program, and have completed a bachelors,
masters, or doctoral degree with specialty clinical experience in physical
therapy.
Benefits of
Physical Therapy for Elderly
There are various common conditions that can be
effectively treated through physical therapy. Among the specific diseases and
conditions that might affect older adults which can be improved with physical
therapy are arthritis, osteoarthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, cancer,
amputations, urinary and fecal incontinence, and cardiac and pulmonary
diseases. Conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia’s, coordination
and balance disorders, joint replacements, hip fractures, functional
limitations related to mobility, orthopedic or sports injuries can also be
improved through geriatric physical therapy.
Massage Envy Citrus Park
12865 Citrus Plaza Drive Tampa, FL 33625
(813) 341-1900
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