Jack lifts 80 pound bags of dog food almost every day at work. For him, treating the excruciating pain in his lower back is not enough. He needs to know how to prevent it. His livelihood depends on it.
Fortunately for Jack and millions of others, careful attention to prevention is one of the hallmarks of the health care provided by America’s physical therapists.
Skilled through extensive education and clinical training, physical therapists work with people daily to restore health and alleviate pain. We also work to correct the problem or reverse the cause of the pain.
Exclusive treatment-oriented approaches are not enough, because they fail to examine the underlying cause of a problem. Prevention of recurring injuries is imperative for people like Jack, who plan to stay at the same job where he sustained his injury lifting those bags of dog food.
A Rehab Associates physical therapist could evaluate Jack’s problem and determine whether his leg or abdominal muscles were strong enough to endure the constant heavy lifting. Tight hamstring muscles might be found to limit his flexibility and predispose Jack to back injury.
An exercise program could be tailored to Jack’s special needs. The therapist might also go to the work site and help Jack and his supervisors learn how to lift the heavy bags with less strain.
The ultimate goal for physical therapy is to help patients re-enter their work, home and community at the highest level of self-sufficiency. Rehab Associates tries to foster independence, not dependence. We try to teach people how to take ownership of their problem and be part of the treatment. |
