Rehab Not for the Weak Only for the Strong There is a very common phrase throw at us. One day you can be the often used which states, admitting you most healthiest and independent person have a problem is the first step into in the world, and the next day you find solving your problem, and this could not out you need surgery on a knee. What stand any truer. People are often afraid happens now? When a person to accept the fact that undergoes such “Admitting you have a problem they have a problem in circumstances one of is the first step into solving your fear of the steps they the primary worries problem” must take to resolve is how they will the issue, or simply continue to live by because they feel shame in admitting their normal active routine while still their problem. This is one of the main recovering properly. A physical therapist struggles that people who are in need of does just that. Physical therapists are rehabilitation care are faced with. not only involved with the diagnosing Although physical therapy has become and management of any kind of one of the largest area of rehabilitation movement dysfunction, they also assist services in demand today, at the same in restoring, maintaining, and promoting time it has also become one of the most optimal physical function, wellness and feared by patients. But why fear the fitness, and quality of life as it relates to person who is just trying to help you movement health. People often achieve you ultimate health? associate and limit physical therapy to sports rehab and surgery recovery, but in reality physical therapy goes beyond that. The beauty of life is that we are never aware of what it is going to 1 ©JennyMorcelo keep them from feeling “normal”. It is a matter of working for progress. The more you do something, the better you get at it, and that specifically is the idea behind physical therapy. A person can throw themselves on a couch and say “I can’t do anything I just had surgery on my knee”, or they can go to rehab and continually work towards managing and recovering from their injury. Physical therapy varies in the patients and the conditions treated. The different fields include orthopedic, geriatric, neurological, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and pediatric. And the conditions treated range from orthopedic surgeries, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and spinal bifida among many others. All of these conditions may make a person believe that they could never function as what is physically known as a What is “normal” individuals Normal? again, which is one of the ?? main reason’s why individuals may oppose physical therapy. Many people may think, “If I’m never going to be the same again, why go to a physical therapist?” or “They are only going to make me worse”, both these statements are false. Physical therapy does not guarantee a 40 year old individual that they will be able to function the way they were able to back when they were in their twenties, they simply encourage individuals to not let their injuries or physical dysfunctions 2 So if a physical therapist is just a professional whose main concern is helping a person reach their movement goals, STOP we return again to the IF YOU’RE previous question; why are “WEAK” they so feared and avoided? STAY It is obvious that throughout AWAY any rehabilitation process a person may experience pain and would need a lot of guidance, but this should not be something a person should be ashamed of. Many may think that if they visit a physical therapist they are basically admitting they are weak, when in reality it is the complete opposite. Those who seek the professional rehabilitation help are actually the strongest for being able to acknowledge that they have a problem and being able to accept the help needed for them their management/Recovery. Will you be strong enough? ©JennyMorcelo Name of Site URL General Content Audience Those seeking PT help. Those interested in PT as a career Individuals who feel like they may benefit from PT Individuals who want to further understand the mission PT For Patients in need of PT For patients in need of PT People considering Physical therapy American Physical Therapy Association www.apta.org Find Physical therapists near you Learn more about Physical Therapy Move Forward www.moveforwardpt. com Tips and tools for The National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation www.nrafrehabnet.org Inspira Health Network www.Inspirahealthnet work.org Virtua www.virua.org/health /Physical-therapy-and -rehabilitation.aspx www.nationalrehab.c om National Rehab individuals regarding conditions Symptoms to common conditions Further information about Rehabilitation, and what it is PTs available under Inspira Heath network Hospital PTs available under Virtua Hospital Facilities Basic information about Rehab & Resources 3 Rating ©JennyMorcelo National Rehabilitation Week September 16-22 4 ©JennyMorcelo