Physical Therapy

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• QHow can I fit my child's physical therapy into my daily routine?

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  A Intermountain Healthcare answered

  If your child needs physical therapy, your physical therapist will design a home exercise program to meet your child's needs.
  
  Try to work therapy into playtime, bath time, diaper changes, feeding, and carrying. Teach therapy activities to your family and other caregivers. Make the therapy activities part of your child's routine. Take time to play with your child as you perform the activities. She will enjoy the one-on-one time you spend together. Remember: You should do all therapy activities gradually and with gentleness.
• QWhat is contrast hydrotherapy?

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  A Dr. Maoshing Ni, PhD, LAc , Geriatric Medicine, answered

  

  Contrast hydrotherapy uses hot and cold temperatures of water to help accelerate circulation, and heal pain and injuries. In this video, Chinese medicine expert, Mao Shing Ni, L.Ac. & PhD, explains how contrast hydrotherapy facilitates healing. 

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  What Is Contrast Hydrotherapy?
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• QCan hydrotherapy treat pregnancy discomfort?

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  A Paula Greer , Midwifery Nursing, answered

  During pregnancy the body releases a hormone called relaxin which allows the ligaments to be more flexible and sometimes can lead to more joint and ligament discomfort. As the uterus grows in size and moms weight increases she is also more prone to swelling after a long day on her feet. Hydrotherapy is a great way for women to use water by soaking in a tub or shower to help promote good circulation, decrease the weight and help reduce the swelling and help the muscles to relax. Hydrotherapy is a great way to deal with Braxton-hicks or false labor contractions as well as early labor at home. Most birthing centers and some hospitals like mine have tubs available for labor. Using water therapy can also help women deal with labor contractions and help to make for an easier birth.

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• QWhat kind of physical therapy is needed after hip surgery?

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  A Dr. Daniel R. Spogen, MD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine

  After hip surgery, improving flexibility and strength is the mainstay of physical therapy. Physical therapy following hip surgery can start with things as simple as working on transferring from a bed to a chair.

  There are many types of hip surgery. One of the most common is a hip joint replacement. Following hip replacements, physical therapy can be extremely helpful in the healing process. Stiffness and muscle weakness are very common following any joint replacement which is why physical therapy is so important. The exercises and stretches recommended by the therapist depend on the strength and baseline of the person.

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• QWhat is chest physical therapy?

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  A NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered

  Chest physical therapy, or chest PT for short, is a common manual technique which uses percussion and vibration for clearing the airways to allow easier breathing and better oxygenation. It may also include alternate airway clearance techniques such as breathing exercises, the active cycle of breathing technique, and the use of mechanical devices.
• QHow important is physical therapy for amputees?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  Physical therapy is extremely important following an amputation and prosthetic device fitting. It can be especially difficult to learn how to walk with a prosthetic device and generally requires several months of training and rehabilitation. Therapy also might focus on using the prosthesis to perform daily activities. It is important with a leg prosthesis for the prosthetist to carefully monitor the patient's gait and make any needed adjustments.

• QCan physical therapy strengthen weak bones?

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  A Brian Yee , Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, answered

  Physical Therapy can focus on improving bone strength through proper prescription of exercise base therapy to properly gauge the intensity and load on a patient with weaker bones, such as osteoporosis, fractures, atrophic diseases. This could be through aquatic therapy, anti-gravity support systems, and other modified weight-bearing exercises. It is important to have an experienced Physical Therapist to know how to properly dose the intensity/duration of exercises to stimulate proper bone growth/density without over or under doing it.
• QShould I go to physical therapy before I start exercising?

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  A Troy Taylor, NASM Elite Trainer , Fitness, answered

  You should go to physical therapy before exercising if you have suffered some type of skeletal muscular injury and you have seen a doctor and the doctor has prescribed physical therapy. Otherwise it is always a good bet to see your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program but it is not necessary to see a physical therapist prior to beginning a fitness program.

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• QWhat do physical therapists specialize in?

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  A National Academy of Sports Medicine answered

  Physical therapists are licensed professionals who specialize in using various types of treatment for pain, injury, disabilities, and physical limitations. They typically employ exercise, heat, cold, manipulation or massage, and electrical stimulation to decrease pain and restore the functional mobility of their patients.

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