PHYSICAL THERAPY THE WAY TO ACCELERATING NATURAL HEALING

How does physical therapy help?

By Martin Sisa Yauma.

A new and dynamic concept in Kenya.

Physical therapy (PT) can help manage movement and reduce pain in people with neurological diseases, those who have had a traumatic injury, and other conditions. Trained professionals evaluate and take measures to enhance a person’s physical function. A physical therapist helps take care of patients in all phases of healing, from initial diagnosis to restorative and preventive stages of recovery. Physical therapy may be a standalone option, or it may support other treatments. Some patients are referred to a physical therapist by a doctor, while others seek therapy themselves.

Competencies of a physical therapists

According to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, a physical therapist receives training that enables them to:

• conduct a physical exam and evaluation of a person’s movement, flexibility, muscle and joint motion, and performance, including finding out about their health history.
• give a clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care with short- and long-term goals
• perform physical therapy treatment and intervention
• give self-management recommendations, including exercises a person can do at home

Common conditions physical therapy may help with

Physical therapists can provide supplementary treatment to a wide variety of medical conditions, depending on their specialty.

Although physical therapists may not directly and independently treat the medical condition other than pure musculoskeletal conditions, they work to optimize recovery or educate a person on how to optimize their movement patterns.

Some conditions that could benefit from physical therapy are:

• cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and post-myocardial infarction heart failure
• conditions that affect the hand, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
• musculoskeletal dysfunction, including back pain, rotator cuff tears, and temporomandibular joint disorders
• neurological conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction, and traumatic brain injuries
• pediatric conditions, including cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy
• sports-related injuries, such as concussion and tennis elbow
• female health and pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary incontinence and lymphedema
• skin conditions or injuries, such as burns, wound care, and diabetic ulcers

Benefits of physical therapy

Depending on the reason for treatment, the benefits of physical therapy may include:

• pain management with reduced need for opioids
• avoiding surgery
• improved mobility and movement
• recovery from injury or trauma
• recovery from stroke or paralysis
• fall prevention
• improved balance
• management of age-related medical problems