1. High heels and flip flops; great choice.
2. Bend all the way forward and twist.
3. Sit-ups, 100, now!
4. You will probably hurt like that forever.
5. Don’t move!
Physical therapists are movement impairment specialists. But, what on earth does that mean? It means extensive (4-6 years beyond college) training in anatomy, neurology, physiology, and biomechanics as they relate to how we move. We apply this training to everyday people with everyday complaints. Complaints like pain and loss of function. Pain that physical therapists treat is from the head to the feet and anywhere in-between. Loss of function means anything from not being able to lift a carton of milk into a fridge, to crossing the street, or throwing a baseball ( t-ball through major league). A physical therapist is trained to tell the difference between pain that is coming from muscle weakness, a pinched nerve, improper alignment, poor flexibility, or a combination of factors. We are also trained in medical screening and work closely with other health care providers, so that if your pain or function loss is not musculoskeletal in nature you are referred to the appropriate provider. Physical therapists have the advantage of working with people in a one to one setting on their individual goals for improved health and wellness over the course of several weeks. Physical therapy done well is not just supervised exercises. It is a custom, goal-oriented program based on each person’s specific problem(s), and includes education and prevention training. Give physical therapy a try, and you will likely hear, “I can help you with that, here’s how.”
