October is National Physical Therapy Month

Did you know that one in two Americans will suffer from a musculoskeletal injury that lasts longer than three months during his or her lifetime? Physical therapists treat people of all ages—from newborns to the elderly. Many patients have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that require treatment, but physical therapists also work with people who simply want to become healthier and avoid future problems. Physical therapists at Twin Boro develop treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs and designed to improve their range of motion, reduce or manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability.

What is National Physical Therapy Month?

National Physical Therapy Month is a month-long awareness campaign to help more people understand what physical therapists do and why they are so important. Physical therapists help people recover from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries by focusing on their movement and ability to perform tasks. Physical therapists at Twin Boro help people with individualized plans based on their particular situation. In this article, you’ll learn why so many physical therapists come together every October to promote National Physical Therapy Month — and why it matters.

What are the Benefits of Physical Therapy?

Physical therapists use an array of non-invasive therapeutic approaches to treat, manage and prevent injuries or disorders that harm or limit mobility. Research published by Professional Therapy Associates revealed that 46% of patients are undergoing physical therapy to get relief from pain. Depending on the reason for treatment, the benefits of physical therapy include:

• Pain relief
  Regular physical therapy can also reduce swelling, speed healing and improve bone strength. Twin Boro Physical Therapy helps to reduce pain by strengthening the muscles and improving joint range of motion.
• Move better and feel stronger
  As you progress toward your functional goals, physical therapy will help you move better and feel stronger. You can start building strength and flexibility as early as your first consultation with expert physical therapists.
• Improved balance
  The right physical therapy plan of care can help you strengthen your core and other muscles that contribute to balance and posture.
• Quick recovery from stroke
  It’s common to lose some degree of physical function after a stroke. Physical therapy helps strengthen weakened parts of the body, improve gait and balance— restore lost functions.
• Women’s health benefits
  Physical therapists can offer specialized care for women’s health issues that are related to pregnancy and post-partum recovery.
• Recovery from injury or trauma
  Physical therapy can put the body back in balance through innovative, evidence-based treatments designed to maximize performance, reduce pain and increase movement after an injury.
• Chronic disease management
  People with diabetes may have problems feeling their feet and legs because nerves can be damaged by high or low blood sugar. Frozen shoulder is also common with diabetes. Physical therapy helps monitor these conditions and improve range of motion and flexibility.

What Does Physical Therapy Include?

Physical therapy at Twin Boro uses a variety of interventions to help improve strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion in individuals due to health conditions resulting in impairments and related functional limitations.

In addition to exercises and hands on interventions that relax muscles and connective tissue, there are other types of physical therapy treatments based on physical stimuli. These include:

• Manual lymphatic drainage: The manual lymphatic drainage technique is a hands-on massage to drain fluid from the tissues.
• Electrotherapy: Treatment with an electrical current can decrease pain.
• Heat therapy: is used to increase circulation to damaged soft tissue.
• Cold therapy: The use of cold therapy is to decrease swelling and pain.

7 Types of Physical Therapy Treatments

Depending on the type of musculoskeletal problem you have, physical therapy can help. Levels range from very mild to severe and require a variety of therapies. Here are 7 of the most common physical therapy treatments:

• Manual Therapy: Manual therapists employ various techniques in which physical therapists use their hands to mobilize the joints and surrounding tissue.
• Neuromuscular re-education: The goal of a neuromuscular re-education is to regain muscle control that is rapidly lost at the time of an injury or a health condition impacting normal movement patterns.
• Range of Motion (ROM) – passive, active assistive, and active ROM are hands of techniques used in a progressive fashion regain movement, especially after surgery on a joint.
• Therapeutic Exercises (TE): foundational exercises for developing normal ROM and strength in preparation for more advanced activities.
• Therapeutic Activities (TA): advanced exercises and activities geared toward achieving your desire functional goals.
• General physical therapy: Physical therapists give patients exercises to do at home, which help continue the progress made in the clinic.
• Electric Stimulation (ES): one of a group of modalities. ES uses electrodes placed on the skin to transmit electrical impulses to decrease pain.

How Long Does Physical Therapy Take to Work?

A good physical therapist will track your progress, check whether you are gaining flexibility and muscle strength, and provide exercises that gradually increase in difficulty to continue making gains throughout therapy. Many variables impact the duration you will need to be at physical therapy. One thing you can be sure of is physical therapists will help you achieve your functional goals as quickly and safely as possible.

At-Home Exercises to Try This Physical Therapy Month

Examples of exercises designed to stretch and strengthen your muscles.

• Straight Leg Raise
• The Bridge
• Easy Sit-to-Stand Exercise
• Balancing exercises
• Lumbar Extension

Before beginning a new exercise program, talk with your primary care provider about the type of activity best suited for you.

Why Choose Twin Boro for Physical Therapy?

At Twin Boro, there are customized exercise programs that help to address the source of pain directly and ultimately improve function. As they evaluate the movement dysfunction, develop care plans, and use therapeutic exercises to facilitate neuromuscular control of muscles in their patients—all part of managing pain to gain your functional goals—these hands-on healthcare professionals help restore lost functions. In addition, they offer a variety of physical therapies specifically for patients suffering from health conditions including:

• Mobility impairments
• Balance problems,
• Coordination issues
• Sports injuries
• Musculoskeletal disorders

Contact today at 1-866-407-2144 for a consultation with one of our physical therapists.