By Iva Cannon


Physical therapy can help make life easier and less painful for those who are coping with chronic disorders or injuries which have impaired their ability to move. A physical therapist works with each patient using a combination of techniques to help restore or regain strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. When beginning a course of physical therapy San Francisco CA patients may find the following information to be helpful.

People whose ordinary actions such as walking are made difficult or painful due to an illness or injury have hope for an improved lifestyle, with the assistance of a compassionate physical therapist. Physical therapy arms those with impaired mobility with the understanding, exercises, and equipment they may need in order to recover or improve substantially from their affliction.

A master's degree in physical therapy is the minimum educational requirement for one to practice in this discipline, and many therapists have also earned a doctorate from an accredited school. A state licensing exam must also be successfully taken before a person can practice. These professionals are responsible for evaluating each patient, identifying the source of pain or immobility, and coming up with an appropriate course of treatment that will eliminate the need for surgery or medications.

At the initial appointment with the therapist, the patient will be asked a series of questions pertaining to his or her general health and the condition for which treatment is being sought. The therapist will also conduct several tests that allow him or her to evaluate aspects of the patient's movement such as gait, body mechanics, functional activities, and flexibility. These findings will be used to determine the best approach to treatment.

Together, the patient and therapist will establish some goals and decide how to accomplish them. Being able to perform one's daily activities is usually part of this strategy, and it is best facilitated by a combination of exercises to reduce pain and promote healing, along with the use of personal mobility or home safety equipment to assist in their recovery. They will also be taught ways to do these tasks which can minimize discomfort.

An integral element in any successful care program is patient education. Therapists help patients learn new, safer ways to carry out normal tasks as well as work-related activities, which typically includes modifying one's workplace in an ergonomic manner so it will allow one to go about their job without creating a set-back in his or her recovery.

Various types of fitness equipment may be implemented, including such machines as stair-climbers, treadmills, or stationary bikes which are used to gradually build strength and endurance, or improve cardiovascular output. Therapeutic exercise without the use of equipment are also performed to restore normal movement and strength to a joint or muscle group and can include both active and passive range of motion, proprioception, and postural correction exercises.

Therapists may also use either deep tissue or soft tissue mobilization massage as part of their patient's treatment, the former is used primarily to ease pain while the latter is most effective for restoring normal function to damaged tissues. All details of the patient's progress in therapy will be communicated by the therapist to the primary care physician, and modification will be made to the plan as indicated by the patient's advancements.




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