Around 21% of Americans experience chronic pain, which is why National Pain Awareness Month was established. Arthritis is one of the leading causes, and it’s a health condition your mom knows all too well. The pain in her ankles can be intense, and it impacts her mobility. The pain in your mom’s ankles has gotten so bad that she can’t get up and down the stairs, which makes it hard for her to leave her home. Has she asked her doctor about the benefits of physical therapy services?
What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
Physical therapists are trained medical professionals who study the way muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, and bones work together. Their knowledge helps them do five key things for their patients.
- Assess and identify reasons or causes of pain and loss of mobility and movement
- Improve health and fitness
- Learn pain management techniques
- Prevent permanent disability
- Restore function, range of motion, and mobility
A physical therapist may use massage therapy, ice/heat therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and exercises to help ease pain, restore mobility, and improve range of motion. Typically, different methods are used together over time. Plus, exercises are assigned as “homework” to ensure your mom is continually strengthening her joints and muscles.
How Does Physical Therapy Alleviate Arthritis Pain?
As your mom works on the exercises her physical therapist teaches her, she’ll strengthen her joints and muscles, which helps ease pain. She’ll learn proper posture, which often helps align the joints and bones properly, which can ease wear.
Because your mom is working on proper stance when standing and walking, it can help alleviate pain and improve mobility. It will take time, but every day she keeps exercising and working out her different muscle groups, the stronger she’ll get.
Your mom will also learn how to use ice and heat, over-the-counter pain medications, and stretches to help ease pain. She may not need to use acetaminophen or ibuprofen every day, but on days when pain is heightened, it can help her keep moving.
That’s something she needs to remember. Some people do find that a cold, rainy day may increase arthritis pain. If she can tie the pain to the weather, she can prepare herself to take action before the pain impacts her activities.
Schedule a Physical Therapy Appointment
Help your mom regain mobility by arranging a physical therapy session. The initial appointment helps the therapist gauge your mom’s pain level, mobility, and range of motion. Once this assessment is complete, a plan is established to have your mom work with her physical therapist to regain mobility and learn ways to manage the pain.
You can join your mom for her therapy sessions. This way, you learn how best to help her on the days that the pain increases. Work on her exercises with her to ensure she’s doing them regularly.
Sources: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-finds-high-rates-persistent-chronic-pain-among-us-adults
If you or a family member need to hire Physical Therapy Services in Dix Hills NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Extended Family Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!
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