Physical rehabilitation is the process or recovery method that aims to restore the physical functioning of an injured or deconditioned person. It can be a long process that begins when a patient is hospitalized after an injury or surgery and continues in other settings, including outpatient therapy, nursing facility, or outpatient therapy. During your New City, NY physical rehabilitation, you may work with several professionals, including physiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists.
Physical rehabilitation versus physical therapy
Physical rehabilitation and physical therapy are often used interchangeably, but they differ significantly. Physical rehabilitation is an all-inclusive term that describes a person’s entire process of reaching optimal functioning. The method uses different intervention techniques such as medications or injections, exercise programs, or retaining in everyday activities.
On the other hand, physical therapy specifically refers to the profession that helps restore or improve mobility, relieve pain, and reduce the need for surgery. Unlike physical, which includes various professions, physical therapy involves a physical therapist.
When would I need physical rehabilitation?
Physical rehabilitation may benefit many health problems that cause pain or limit function. For example, individuals who have suffered a stroke often lose their leg function, and other body parts may also be affected. Working with a physiatrist or physical therapist, stroke patients can recover or regain lost function. If you have suffered a stroke, early rehabilitation is vital to increase the chances of full recovery. Besides stroke, physical rehabilitation helps people with neck and back injuries. When it comes to spine injuries, early treatment is essential to shorten recovery time and prevent more damage.
Physical also addresses nerve-related pain after an injury or operation and joint conditions like arthritis. You may also need rehab for cancer, heart disease, lung problems, amputation, severe burns, or infected wounds.
What are the benefits of physical rehabilitation?
Physical rehabilitation can restore your initial level of function or maximum potential after a disease, surgery, fall, major injury, or any other event that caused the deconditioning. Besides increasing your strength, the process can relieve pain and improve your balance, endurance, and tolerance regarding an activity. As such, you are less likely to fall when engaging in activities; this helps with safety at home and prevents future hospitalizations.
These benefits carry over to your daily engagement, improving your overall quality of life. For example, you may no longer need assistive devices to help you walk. You can resume work, bathe and dress without help, or return to a hobby you discontinued due to your condition.
While the benefits of physical rehabilitation’s are significant, the journey is not a simple upward trajectory. The process might be more of a roller coaster than a straight path, with some setbacks that you may encounter. Remember that complete independence is not the goal for everyone. Every person has unique needs; rehabilitation professionals usually consider values, cultures, and personal goals when planning your treatment plan.
Consult your Integrative Health of Rockland provider to know how you can benefit from physical rehabilitation’s.
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