| Advanced physical therapy is the medical practice | | | | One area of advanced physical therapy that |
| of treating, healing, and preventing injuries. While | | | | many people don't consider is prenatal therapy. |
| this isn't the sole purpose of physical therapy, it | | | | Women are told to exercise while pregnant to |
| does encompass the majority of care that | | | | prevent weight gain and have an easier labor, but |
| patients receive. Many patients also engage in | | | | magazines and television programs don't educate |
| therapy to prevent deterioration of muscle and | | | | women on the best way to exercise that |
| tissue important for basic mobility, such as walking | | | | benefits the entire body. During the last trimester, |
| and lifting. Athletes take advantage of sports | | | | much more stress and weight is put onto the |
| training that helps increase speed, agility, and | | | | lower back, and the lower back is expected to |
| endurance. The field of advanced physical therapy | | | | support all of this stress and weight. That is why |
| prides itself on providing adequate education so | | | | many pregnant women experience pain in the |
| that patients learn and understand how to | | | | sciatica and have pain when sitting or walking. |
| prevent future injuries by performing exercises at | | | | A prenatal therapist will work with an expectant |
| home and understanding how the body works. | | | | mother, taking into consideration any restrictions |
| Geriatric Physical Therapy Benefits | | | | set forth by her OB/GYN, to help her reduce |
| As bone mass and muscle deteriorate with age, | | | | weight gain and pregnancy pain. A physio trainer |
| the elderly are at a high risk for falls and bone | | | | will work on exercises, both cardio and strength |
| fractures. Osteoporosis is a leading cause of lost | | | | training, so that an expectant mother has an |
| bone mass, especially in women. Treatment to | | | | easier pregnancy and delivery. The major benefit |
| help build bone mass includes strength training, | | | | of receiving therapy services while pregnant is |
| because the increased blood flow to the bones | | | | that any new aches and pains can be brought up |
| helps strengthen them. Physical therapists can | | | | immediately and the therapist can plan and |
| assist the elderly at home, in assisted living | | | | manage the new pains with exercise. |
| centers, skilled nursing facilities, and at outpatient | | | | Sports Physical Therapy Benefits |
| facilities. Medicare will usually cover physical | | | | The American Physical Therapy Association offers |
| therapy costs associated with rehabilitation and | | | | its members the opportunity to expand their |
| pain management. | | | | education by taking online and home study |
| One benefit many elderly patients receive from | | | | courses in sports therapy. Physical therapy |
| therapy is the ability to regain independent mobility | | | | centers have trained therapists who focus on |
| without the need for walkers or canes. | | | | working with high school and college athletes. This |
| Musculoskeletal problems of the spine are one | | | | aspect of therapy is popular as many younger |
| reason many older people need assistance when | | | | people need help rehabilitating from sports-related |
| walking. Not only is the spine deteriorating because | | | | injuries. |
| of age, but there may be a considerable amount | | | | Therapists work one-on-one with athletes to help |
| of pain caused by slipped discs or swollen nerves. | | | | them gain agility and strength. Patients can also |
| By helping elderly patients improve posture and | | | | recover quickly when using advanced physical |
| strengthen the back and core, therapists improve | | | | therapy techniques customized for their specific |
| an older patients balance, strength, and | | | | sport. Thanks to the wide variety of specialties |
| coordination. This leads to a better quality of life in | | | | studied in physical therapy, anyone can benefit |
| the later years. | | | | from a therapy program that takes into |
| Prenatal Physical Therapy Benefits | | | | consideration their specific ailment. |