Most people at some point in their lives have had to wrestle with an injury that required medical attention. After these injuries, most doctors will recommend physical therapy to their patients as a way to return to normal daily activities. What is less commonly known about physical therapy is the benefit that continued therapy can have on your body over time, especially for seniors.
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy restores movement function to your body. When practiced appropriately, It can also provide pain relief and promote healing over time. Physical therapists treat pain through movement, hands-on care, and patient education. They use multiple methods of treatment including massage, heat treatments, and exercise. The goal of physical therapy is return patients body’s to their normal movement functions, relieve pain, and prevent disabilities.
What to Expect During Physical Therapy
Just like going to visit doctors, visits to the physical therapist can be stressful if you don’t know what to expect. Whether you are referred to physical therapy by your doctor or seek therapy on your own, here’s what you need to know about your visit.
During your first visit to the physical therapist, you will first undergo an evaluation to assess the amount as well as the type of therapy that you need. This assessment will include an evaluation of your current movement ability and a health history. The physical therapist will review everything from your current posture, movement, and flexibility
The therapist will then provide a prognosis and a plan of care for short and long term goals. Following, they will likely begin treatment. This treatment could include a gentle exercise or stretching routine. At the end of your first session, you will also likely receive some instruction on exercises you can complete at home until your next therapy session.
Physical therapy is especially important as we age because our bodies require more attention to maintain healthy movement. Physical therapy can help with diseases specific to the senior population including osteoporosis, arthritis, and balance disorders.
At Senior LIFE, all members have access to the physical therapy gym and there is no limit on the amount of physical therapy they can receive. At the LIFE Health and Wellness Center they can participate in multiple therapies including exercise, heat therapy, and gentle stretching. Senior LIFE also has a licensed physical therapist and physical therapy assistant on staff to guide members in their recovery and maintain healthy movement.
To learn more about Senior LIFE, please contact us by visiting our website, or visit the center nearest to you.
