Therapeutic Exercise Restores Mobility, Strength And Coordination To Those Suffering With Injury Or Disease

By Rosella Campbell


Physical therapy is a way to rehabilitate patients who have developed impairments in their mobility. It is used to restore a normal range of movement for patients recovering from certain medical conditions, illness or injury. The goal of this kind of therapy is to aid patients recovery by helping them develop flexibility, balance and coordination, and muscular strength. Therapeutic exercise is a mature form of therapy and those living in Boston, MA will find there are a good number of therapists in their locality.

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 designing a care program, a therapist will begin by examining their patient's medical history and making an assessment of their current capabilities. He or she may also draw upon information provided by lab studies and scans where needed. A care plan will then be designed that is tailored to the specific needs of the patient. As much as possible, the goal is always to restore the patient's physical capacity to normal.

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.

The essence of any program of exercise will be to improve flexibility, strength, coordination and balance or several of these attributes. Strength exercises are of particular importance for patients who have experienced muscle loss. Gains in strength are also important for restoring a patient's confidence, which often suffers when physical capacity is lost.

Injury and certain medical conditions can lead to impairments in balance and coordination. The elderly in particular are prone to these issues, which can make them vulnerable to falling. Balance and coordination exercises are ways to build up physical poise and thus avoid accidents and further injury. They are designed primarily to improve lower-body muscularity and also develop the body's balance and spatial perception capabilities.

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 sense of well-being raises an important insight about physical therapy. Exercise (and significant movement of virtually any kind, in fact) can have a hugely positive effect on someone's mood and degree of hope. Scientific studies have demonstrated conclusively that people who are positive and optimistic recover better and more quickly than those who are more pessimistic. Physical therapy can therefore play a critical role in helping patients recover both their physical capabilities and their quality of life.




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