Physical Therapy Is For Everyone!

Physical therapists are highly trained health care professionals. They are experts in the human movement system who are trained to evaluate and treat all kinds of musculoskeletal issues with exercise and other techniques. Everyone moves and everyone can benefit from exercise, so physical therapists can help you throughout your life!

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR CHILDREN

Physical therapists start treating some people very shortly after birth. Common reasons a baby might need PT include torticollis and cerebral palsy. Torticollis is a postural issue caused by a tight neck muscle called the sternocleidomastoid. Babies with torticollis hold their heads tipped to one side. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that occurs in children and can cause difficulty with movement and coordination. As children get older, some have trouble hitting their motor milestones which include sitting up, rolling over, crawling, standing, and walking. Physical therapists can help here too, using their expertise to help children achieve these motor skills and develop the coordination to get them back on track. Click here to read more about how physical therapy can help children.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ADOLESCENTS

In adolescents, sports injuries become more common. Whether it’s an ankle sprain or an ACL surgery, a PT can help. The rapid growth in adolescents can cause issues too. For example, growth plate fractures, growing pains, Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, and Sever’s disease are all common in adolescence and are related to the changes the body is going through during this period of development.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ADULTS

As adults, a lot of us will have back pain – studies say up to 80% of us. Physical therapy is one of the first treatments recommended for back pain. Physical therapists also see adults for injuries from weekend warrior sports injuries, overuse, or accidents at work. Some adults also start to show symptoms of diseases like multiple sclerosis, or myositis which also benefit from physical therapy.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR OLDER ADULTS

Later in life, people tend to have more health issues that impact their ability to move. Physical therapy can help you with your arthritis, joint replacements, strokes, and heart attacks which can all impact your movement system. Physical therapists also help people age better by keeping them moving with exercise programs that help reduce falls or help them make adaptations and modifications to keep them independent and safe in their homes.

Movement is a constant in life. As movement experts, PTs can help people of any age. Some specialize in treating pediatric patients, and some specialize in treating geriatric patients, but all PTs have the expertise to help people move better. If you think you or someone you know may benefit from physical therapy, contact us for a free consultation.

References

1. “What Is Cerebral Palsy?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 May 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html.
2. Hartley, Helen et al. “Exercise and Physical Therapy Interventions for Children with Ataxia: A Systematic Review.” Cerebellum (London, England) vol. 18,5 (2019): 951-968. doi:10.1007/s12311-019-01063-z
3. Maciel, Roberto Rodrigues Bandeira Tosta et al. “Effects of physical exercise at the workplace for treatment of low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis.” Revista brasileira de medicina do trabalho : publicacao oficial da Associacao Nacional de Medicina do Trabalho-ANAMT vol. 16,2 225-235. 1 Jun. 2018, doi:10.5327/Z1679443520180133
4. Van Thillo, Anna et al. “Physical therapy in adult inflammatory myopathy patients: a systematic review.” Clinical rheumatology vol. 38,8 (2019): 2039-2051. doi:10.1007/s10067-019-04571-9
5. Murdin, Kele. “The Role of a Physical Therapist in Healthy Aging.” The National Council on Aging, 24 Oct. 2019, https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-role-of-a-physicaltherapist-in-healthy-aging.
6. McFadden, Sean. “How Physical Therapists Can Redefine the Aging Process.” FOXRehab, 16 June 2021, https://www.foxrehab.org/pt-impact-older-adults-optimal-function/.