Benefits of Different Forms of Therapy
While many people think of physical therapy that can help you recover from injuries and surgical procedures, there are many different forms of therapy and rehabilitation services. While they all help address different areas of your health and wellness, they share the goal of developing individualized treatment plans to help patients regain a sense of independence while improving functional capabilities.
The health experts at Kirby Medical Center are here to outline several different forms of therapy and rehabilitation and how they can help patients feel better, faster.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists, or physiotherapists, are movement specialists who help to improve the quality of life for patients living with injuries and medical conditions that affect their ability to perform everyday tasks. Through hands-on care, physical exercises, and patient education, they can help patients to recover and return to their daily routines while also preventing future complications.
Some of the many benefits of physical therapy include:
- Pain management
- Improving mobility
- Preventing the formation of scar tissue
- Fall prevention
- Improved balance
When to See a Physical Therapist
When suffering from an injury, an existing condition, or have had a surgical procedure that affects your physical function, it is common for your health care team to refer you to a physical therapist to ensure that you heal properly.
Some of the most common reasons you may be sent to a physical therapist include:
- Work-related injuries
- Sports injuries
- Orthopedic recovery
- Back injuries
- Car accident injuries
- Spinal damage
- Burn injuries
- Joint pain
- Neck injuries
Courses of Treatment
Your physical therapist will then evaluate and treat those abnormalities to prevent future complications. Courses of treatment may include:
- Therapeutic exercise
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Education
- Gait training
- Modalities
- Pain management for many kinds of ailments
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists help to treat patients living with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities that can negatively impact their ability to perform day-to-day tasks. The goal of occupational therapy is to help patients improve skills that help them safely perform everyday tasks with their unique condition.
When to See an Occupational Therapist
Some health conditions that occupational therapy can help with include:
- Injuries
- Recovering from surgery
- Neurological conditions
- Orthopedic conditions
- Carpal tunnel
- Mental illnesses
- Dementia
Courses of Treatment
An occupational therapist will work with a patient to help them to address everyday activities and skills such as:
- Getting dressed
- Bathing
- Cooking
- Home safety
- Work adaptations
- Equipment education
- Neuro education
- Splinting
- Improving and managing their condition
- upper extremity rehabilitation.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is designed to assess and treat common communication issues and speech disorders. Because we rely heavily on verbal communication to express ourselves, understand others, and get through day-to-day life, it is important to address speech impairments and speech disorders.
When to See a Speech Pathologist
Speech therapy can help to address the following speech issues in children:
- Stuttering
- Volume control
- Mumbling an annunciation issues
- Lisps and other speech impediments
- Pronunciation
- Patient’s ability to understand speech
- Speech impairments and disorders
Courses of Treatment
Speech pathologists may use a combination of the following to help address communication issues:
- Building cognitive brain function
- Breathing exercises
- Exercises for strengthening oral muscles
- Conversational activities
- Education and work to continue at home
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is a recovery program that is designed to help those who are recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, and other heart issues that may have required medical care. Ultimately, cardiac rehab aims to help patients heal their hearts and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular health complications.
Some of the many benefits of cardiac rehab include:
- Weight management
- Reducing stress levels
- Improving blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
- Increasing strength and fitness
- Strengthening the heart
- Relieving related symptoms
- Improving mood
- Preventing future cardiovascular health issues
When to Seek Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is appropriate for anyone who has cardiovascular health issues or experienced a cardiac event like a heart attack or heart failure. Regardless of your age, gender, or the severity of your condition—cardiac rehab can help to improve your cardiovascular health.
Courses of Treatment
Cardiac rehabilitation programs typically include:
- Physical activity
- Patient education
- Counseling
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a recovery program aimed at helping patients living with different types of lung disease. This treatment program is meant to educate patients about their condition and equip them with tools to help them effectively manage their symptoms.
When to Seek Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehab is typically recommended for patients living with lung disease who frequently experience symptoms that inhibit their ability to perform everyday tasks, even with medication.
People living with the following pulmonary health conditions can benefit from seeing a pulmonary therapist:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Asthma
- Sarcoidosis
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
If you’ve recently undergone chest or lung surgery, pulmonary rehabilitation may also be a viable treatment option to help you during the recovery process.
Whether you suffer from an injury, recently had a surgical procedure, or you’re living with a chronic health condition affecting your day-to-day routine—therapy and rehab can help to reach your individual goals. If you think you may benefit from seeing a therapist, be sure to speak with your primary care doctor about your options.
Contact Kirby Medical Center
At Kirby Medical Center, we are dedicated to helping our community learn how to stay healthy and safe. If you are concerned about your health risks and the types of vaccines that are right for you, contact Kirby Medical Center at 217-762-2115 to learn more about how we can assist with all your healthcare needs.