09-27-2023 Primtime Living - Flipbook - Page 6
6 A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, September 27, 2023
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Movement-based
treatment
The importance of physical
therapy in healing the body
By Linda L. Esterson, Contributing Writer
M
ost often, people turn to physical therapists when they are in pain or
are unable to perform activities the way they had in the past. This can
include tasks of daily living, like cooking or bathing, or participation
in athletic activities, doing yardwork, and even walking around the grocery store.
Physical therapists (PTs) evaluate the
body holistically to determine functionality
issues, explains Peter Bowman, P.T., D.P.T.,
FAAOMPT, assistant professor of physical
therapy and rehabilitation science at the
University of Maryland School of Medicine
and director of clinical therapy services for
University of Maryland Orthopaedics.
The first appointment with a PT includes
a physical examination and review of medical history, current medications and specifics
about the injury. They discuss how the patient
handles the pain associated with the injury
or condition, what helps it improve and what
makes it worse, and the lifestyle challenges
that have arisen since becoming injured.
The physical examination evaluates function,
range of motion and strength deficits. The
PT then develops a personalized care plan of
care for the patient.
“Our goal is to determine if there is a functional problem that the patient is having in
order to help them be more active, healthier,
improve their quality of life, and do the things
they want to do without pain or limitation,” Dr.
Bowman explains.
The evaluation actually begins at the
moment of introduction in the waiting area.
“People don’t realize that when we greet
you and shake your hand, and see you stand
and watch your walk, we’re already trying
to figure out what’s going on with you,” Dr.
Bowman says.
Physical therapists undergo extensive
training, similar to other medical professionals. After earning an undergraduate degree,
they complete a minimum of three years of
post-graduate education, exclusive of specialty training. Some opt to further their
training to specialize in areas like geriatrics,
pediatrics, orthopaedics, manual therapy or
sports, and learn about providing care in particular settings like the hospital, an outpatient
center, a rehabilitation center or in the home.
Dr. Bowman says that less than 1,800
physical therapists in the U.S. are fellowship-
trained. “And we are proud to have five
trained fellows on our team at the University
of Maryland.”
Therapy Following Injury
When an injury occurs, the body’s normal functioning is impacted. Sprains, strains,
fractures and muscle tears, for instance,
can limit what the body can do. Sometimes,
surgery is indicated, whether to repair a torn
muscle or tendon or to replace a joint that is
beyond repair.
Patients are referred to physical therapy
to return the body’s ability to normal, or as
close to normal as possible. Often, therapy
is initially implemented to “wake muscles up
and incorporate them in functional activities.”
For example, if a patient has pain going
from sitting to standing, that can indicate an
issue with the gluteal muscles. Because that
movement is a half-squat, the pain can come
from one or more of the gluteal muscles not
working properly, which can lead to back
pain due to the back muscles attempting to
compensate for the glutes.
“If you don’t have the right muscles working at the right time, it will play into the pain,”
Dr. Bowman explains. “Some of that is nature.
Our bodies like to move in the path of least
resistance and do the easiest thing possible.”
That also means the path of the least pain,
without regard for proper functioning.
The PT care plan comprises a selection of exercises to be performed daily – or
even several times a day – to stimulate and
strengthen the non-functioning muscles to
improve range of motion and get them to
function as they were prior to the injury. The
patient needs to commit to performing the
exercises at home as well as in the clinic – to
do their part in their recovery.
“There’s a lot of research out there that
the number one reason why people get better
is the belief that they’re going to get better,”
he adds. “Part of that comes with doing your
exercises and being consistent with what
you’re doing.”
Dr. Bowman gives patients three or four
exercises to do at home, recognizing the
limits people have on their time due to work,
family and outside interests. Often, he chooses the exercises based on their lifestyles that
can be easily incorporated into their day.
“Part of being a physical therapist is
making sure our patients are improving their
health and have the right tools to help them
succeed in what they’re doing,” he says.
The home exercise program is modified at
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