A Physical Therapists in Auburn AL is licensed by the state to diagnose and treat individuals with health problems that result from injury or disease. They also train patients to perform activities of daily living and provide rehabilitative treatments such as massage, heat/cold therapy, and electrical stimulation.
The curriculum leads to a bachelor’s degree, which is required for admission to most professional schools. Those applying to a physical therapy program should choose an undergraduate major that is well-suited to the discipline.
Vestibular Therapy
A physical therapist who specializes in vestibular rehabilitation treats people with balance, dizziness and vertigo problems. These conditions can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks and can put you at risk for falls that could lead to serious injuries. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can help you manage your symptoms and regain your independence.
The body’s movements create pressure on different tissues that send signals to the brain about where the body is in space. This information is used by the central nervous system to maintain balance. If you have a vestibular disorder, your central nervous system may be receiving conflicting information from your inner ears and eyes and this can cause symptoms like dizziness and imbalance. Your physical therapist can help reestablish these connections to relieve your symptoms.
During your first session, your physical therapist will conduct a series of assessments to determine if you are a good candidate for vestibular rehabilitation. They will assess your visual stability, oculomotor function, standing balance and stability while walking, neck mobility and tenderness, and inner ear positional testing.
Your physical therapist will then design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs that will include various exercises. You will participate in these exercises in your sessions and will practice them at home to build strength, improve balance and reduce the symptoms of your vestibular disorder.
Amputation Therapy
Amputation is a traumatic experience and the loss of a limb can have psychological impact. It is common to feel emotions like grief and bereavement after the amputation, similar to losing a loved one. Amputation may also cause feelings of anxiety and depression, strained family relationships and reduced quality of life. Amputation can be particularly difficult for people who have served in the military, as they are at an increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder.
In the early stages of recovery from amputation, your physical therapist will help you to learn how to manage pain, reduce swelling and improve strength. They will teach you techniques for sitting, standing and walking with a prosthetic leg. They will also use strategies to desensitize the remaining limb to the feeling of the prosthesis. They will also help you to find ways to cope with emotional and social aspects of amputation recovery.
Once you have learned how to walk with a prosthetic leg, your physical therapist will teach you how to care for the prosthesis and help you develop a daily routine that includes wearing it. They will also work with you to do your favorite activities, including sports and recreational pursuits. They will also help you to choose an appropriate prosthetic for your lifestyle and preferences. They will also help you to find support groups for people with amputations and advise you on how to make friends with other amputees.
Balance and Fall Prevention
In addition to helping patients with their balance, physical therapists can also help prevent falls. Fall prevention programs such as Mississippi State Department of Health’s free A Matter of Balance teach risk factors for falls and offer ways to reduce the fear of falling, encourage activity levels and provide exercises that improve strength and balance. This program includes 8 two-hour sessions taught by trained coaches in small groups.
Falls can lead to serious injuries such as fractured bones, head trauma and a lack of mobility. Injuries can also cause a person to become less active, which in turn weakens the body and increases the likelihood of a fall. For these reasons, it’s important that all seniors who are at risk of falls talk to their doctor and get referred for physical therapy.
A physical therapist can assess a patient’s ability to walk up and down steps, balance and gait and determine the severity of a fall. PTs use the results of these tests to develop an appropriate treatment plan that will reduce the risks associated with falls and enhance the overall quality of life for their patients.
Home Health Care
Physiotherapy can help patients manage pain and stiffness and learn to move more confidently. Physical therapy can be used for patients in all stages of recovery, from helping them recover from surgery or an injury to preventing future injuries and improving quality of life.
Physical therapists work with people of all ages in hospital and private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities and nursing homes. They can diagnose and treat conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments).
Exercises make up a big part of physical therapy. They can improve mobility and movement, reduce pain or stiffness and strengthen weakened muscles. Therapists also show patients how to do these exercises at home. They aim to make patients independent in their own daily activities.
Other treatments include massages, electrotherapy (using electrical currents), and iontophoresis, which uses an electric charge to deliver medication through skin contact. These treatments can prevent blood clots, decrease swelling, relax muscles, facilitate wound healing and alleviate pain.
Home health care can be a great option for patients who have a condition that makes it unsafe to leave the home, or who cannot afford traditional inpatient treatment. It can be covered by Medicare and some insurance providers. These services can also be beneficial for elderly patients who suffer from dizziness and balance problems.