至尊英语阅读资料之健康与卫生专题第955集.pdfVIP

health articles 955 [23851]The Facts on Physical Therapy Physical therapy is most often prescribed for patients with permanent disabilities, recovering from a major injury or accident, or suffering from conditions such as arthritis or lower back pain. Some diseases or conditions can impair patients to a degree that a physical therapist must teach the patient to function with the limitations of the condition. Under the guidance of a therapist, patients can regain a major share of their mobility, achieve flexibility, and acquire balance and coordination. At its very core, physical therapy can help significant improve the overall fitness and health of a patient. As with any treatment, the effectiveness of physical therapy requires the full participation and adherence to the physical therapy treatment. Often, patients become proficient in their exercise regimen and make the assumption their recovery can be accomplished without the support and guidance of their physical therapist. Such decisions can actually cause more damage to the existing injuries. True physical therapy requires time and patience to achieve the best results. Monitoring a patients progress, trained therapists can correct any errors in posturing or practice by the patient. Therapists will often make adjustments to the exercise program as the patient improves in health and strength. Complete recovery is achieved through diligence, compliance, and dedication, which requires continued interactive between the patient and therapist. During treatment, a physical therapist may use a combination of passive and active methods to bring about pain relief. These include heat/ice packs, ultrasound, low-impact aerobic conditioning, and stretching, to name a few. TENS therapy is also an effective tool to manage pain. The small, battery-operated device delivers low-voltage electrical currents through the skin via electrodes placed near the source of pain. The electricity from the electrodes stim