Pain in the muscle, bone and joint is one of the leading reason why patients see a doctor, second only to a common cold. Often in an attempt to lessen the pain of an injury, one restricts the movement of a particular area. This, however, usually does nothing to better oneself, only limit the mobility of the individual and can even cause further discomfort. Phsyical Therapy aims to fix that.
A physical therapist is a health care professional who's sole purpose to is restore the physical ability of a patient to allow them to function as independantly as possible. Physical therapists understand the movement and flexibility of the body, thus aim to improve mobility. They build up the strength of weak muscles and propose alternate methods of mobility through means such as walkers and canes for individuals that may need such avenues to better their condition.
To maintain a steady range of motion, stretching is crucial and somtimes mandatory. If you have stiff joints or tight muscles, normal activities, such as climbing stairs or reaching overhead, can be severely affected. Proper stretching and technique can help improve the liklihood of doing such activities with ease. A physical therapist is equipped with the knowledge to properly stretch a patient to best serve their particular needs.
