Benefits of back pain exercise and physical therapy After an episode of low back pain has lasted between two and six weeks, or if there are frequent recurrences of low back pain, it is reasonable to consider back pain exercises and physical therapy for back treatment.
(Some spine specialists consider back exercise and physical therapy sooner, particularly if the pain is severe.)
In general, the goals of back pain exercises and physical therapy are to decrease back pain, increase function, and provide education on a maintenance program to prevent further recurrences.<
Sports injuries affect a number of athletes, both men and women alike. Pain is involved in all injuries that occur while playing games. Studies at the U.S Naval Academy have revealed that sports injuries most commonly occur due to repetitive and excessive use of muscles and bones.
An athlete who is suffering from a sports injury can be effectively treated using physical therapy, one of the effective methods that facilitate speedy recovery and helps athletes to quickly return to sports. Activities like football, baseball, tennis, swimming, and weight training are likely to cause injuries. With physical therapy, various sports injuries including rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder injuries, jumping/cutting/landing injuries, running injuries, fractures, head injuries, neck injuries and tennis injuries can be treated.
Physical therapy is a hands-on treatment procedure used for treating musculoskeletal dysfunction. This effective treatment plan works well to maintain and enhance fitness, health and quality of life. The physical therapy treatment program makes the body strong and increases the blood flow to the affected areas. This is ideal to promote your healing process.
Physical therapy treatment for sport injuries includes a variety of modalities such as hot packs, cold packs, electrical stimulation and ultrasound to heal the injured tissue. In addition, medical massage is incorporated in the physical therapy treatment plan to increase overall circulation and achieve the best possible health. In a healthy lifestyle, the physical therapy treatment administered for sports injuries helps to:
• Decrease pain
• Increase function by restoring your physical abilities
• Prevent further injuries
The physical therapists who know to manage pain through physical therapy sessions will treat the patients for about 30 minutes. Depending on the severity of the injury, the physical therapy treatment program varies.
Physical therapy treatment for sports injuries is the best option for athletes who wish to return to their normal sports activities soon. Physical therapists can also give tips on preventing further injuries.
Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the United States.
Rehabilitation is an important part of recovering from a stroke. Through rehabilitation, you relearn or regain basic skills such as speaking, eating, dressing, and walking. The goal is to improve function so that you become as independent as possible.
Rehabilitation actually starts in the hospital as soon as possible after the stroke. In patients who are stable, rehabilitation may begin within two days after the stroke has occurred, and should be continued as necessary after leaving the hospital.
Current statistics indicate that there are over 4 million people in the United States who have survived a stroke or brain attack and are living with the after-effects. These numbers do not reflect the scope of the problem and do not count the millions of husbands, wives and children who live with and care for stroke survivors and who are, because of their own altered lifestyle, greatly affected by stroke.
The very word "stroke" indicates that no one is ever prepared for this sudden, often catastrophic event. Stroke survivors and their families can find workable solutions to most difficult situations by approaching every problem with patience, ingenuity, perseverance and creativity.
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Falls put you at risk of serious injury. Prevent falls with these fall-prevention measures. The odds of falling each year after age 65 in the United States are about one in three. Fortunately, most of these falls aren't serious. Still, falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among older adults. You're more likely to fall as you get older because of common, age-related physical changes and medical conditions — and the medications you take to treat such conditions.
You needn't let the fear of falling rule your life. Many falls and fall-related injuries are preventable with fall-prevention measures.Here's a look at six fall-prevention approaches that can help you avoid falls.
Fall-prevention step 1: Make an appointment with your doctor
Begin your fall-prevention plan by making an appointment with your doctor. You and your doctor can take a comprehensive look at your environment, your health and your medications to identify situations when you're vulnerable to falling. In order to devise a fall-prevention plan, your doctor will want to know:
* What medications are you taking? Include all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you take, along with the dosages. Or bring them all with you. Your doctor can review your medications for side effects and interactions that may increase your risk of falling. To help with fall prevention, he or she may decide to wean you off certain medications, especially those used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
* Have you fallen before? Write down the details, including when, where and how you fell. Be prepared to discuss instances when you almost fell but managed to grab hold of something just in time or were caught by someone.
* Could your health conditions cause a fall? Your doctor likely wants to know about eye and ear disorders that may increase your risk of falls. Be prepared to discuss these and how comfortable you are walking — describe any dizziness, joint pain, numbness or shortness of breath that affects your walk. Your doctor may then evaluate your muscle strength, balance and walking style (gait).
Fall-prevention step 2: Keep moving
If you aren't already getting regular physical activity, consider starting a general exercise program as part of your fall-prevention plan. Consider activities such as walking, water workouts or tai chi — a gentle exercise that involves slow and graceful dance-like movements. Such activities reduce your risk of falls by improving your strength, balance, coordination and flexibility. Be sure to get your doctor's OK first.
If you avoid exercise because you're afraid it will make a fall more likely, tell your doctor. He or she may recommend carefully monitored exercise programs or give you a referral to a physical therapist who can devise a custom exercise program aimed at improving your balance, muscle strength and gait. To improve your flexibility, the physical therapist may use techniques such as electrical stimulation, massage or ultrasound. If you have inner ear problems that affect your balance, balance retraining exercises (vestibular rehabilitation) may help.
These involve specific head and body movements to correct loss of balance.
Fall-prevention step 3: Wear sensible shoes
Consider changing your footwear as part of your fall-prevention plan. High heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall. So can walking in your stocking feet. Instead:
* Have your feet measured each time you buy shoes, since your size can change.
* Buy properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles.
* Avoid shoes with extra-thick soles.
* Choose lace-up shoes instead of slip-ons, and keep the laces tied.
* Select footwear with fabric fasteners if you have trouble tying laces.
* Shop in the men's department if you're a woman who can't find wide enough shoes. If bending over to put on your shoes puts you off balance, consider a long shoehorn that helps you slip your shoes on without bending over.
Fall-prevention step 4: Remove home hazards
As part of your fall-prevention measures, take a look around you — your living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways may be filled with booby traps. Clutter can get in your way, but so can the decorative accents you add to your home. To make your home safer, you might try these tips:
* Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways.
* Move coffee tables, magazine racks and plant stands from high-traffic areas.
* Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or a slip-resistant backing.
* Repair loose, wooden floorboards and carpeting right away.
* Store clothing, dishes, food and other household necessities within easy reach.
* Immediately clean spilled liquids, grease or food.
* Use nonskid floor wax.
* Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower.
Fall-prevention step 5: Light up your living space
As you get older, less light reaches the back of your eyes where you sense color and motion. So keep your home brightly lit with 100-watt bulbs or higher to avoid tripping on objects that are hard to see. Don't use bulbs that exceed the wattage rating on lamps and lighting fixtures, however, since this can present a fire hazard. Also:
* Place a lamp near your bed and within reach so that you can use it if you get up at night.
* Make clear paths to light switches that aren't near room entrances. Consider installing glow-in-the-dark or illuminated switches.
* Place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and hallways.
* Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs. This might require installing switches at the top and bottom of stairs.
* Store flashlights in easy-to-find places in case of power outages.
Fall-prevention step 6: Use assistive devices
Your doctor might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady. Other assistive devices can help, too. All sorts of gadgets have been invented to make everyday tasks easier. Some you might consider:
* Grab bars mounted inside and just outside your shower or bathtub.
* A raised toilet seat or one with armrests to stabilize yourself.
* A sturdy plastic seat placed in your shower or tub so that you can sit down if you need to. Buy a hand-held shower nozzle so that you can shower sitting down.
* Handrails on both sides of stairways.
* Nonslip treads on bare-wood steps.
Ask your doctor for a referral to an occupational therapist who can help you devise other ways to prevent falls in your home. Some solutions are easily installed and relatively inexpensive. Others may require professional help and more of an investment. If you plan on staying in your home for many more years, an investment in safety and fall prevention now may make that possible.
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