Physical Therapy Research Paper

Exercising has become a known epidemic worldwide. When people think of the word exercise they think of human health. Something that not a lot of people know is that exercise can help repair the human body. This is done through a process called Physical Therapy. Physical Therapy is defined as being physical medicine and rehabilitation specialty that remediates impairments and promotes mobility, function, and quality of life through examination, diagnosis, prognosis, and physical intervention. Physical Therapy has multiple effects on the body that help and hinder people.
Physical therapy is a branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities. It is
appropriate for many types of patients, from infants born with musculoskeletal birth defects, to adults suffering from sciatica or the after effects of injury or surgery, to elderly post stroke patients. The treatment of physical dysfunction or injury by the use of therapeutic exercise and the application of modalities that are intended to restore or facilitate normal function or development. By using modalities such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound, a therapist can help alleviate your pain and promote healing. Exercise, ambulation, stair negotiation and balance activities compose the functional aspect of physical therapy and restore independence.
In the article, “Exercising for Health”, people of all ages who may or may not exercise shared their experiences dealing with health related issues.
It speaks of the health risks, such as cardiovascular disease, pertaining to those who do not exercise as much as they should be. It also mentions the benefits of those who do exercise. The author, Derek Browne, states that there will be an increase in the nation’s health following an increase in the physical activity of individuals. This meaning that less medication will be given out. The article, "Motor Physical Therapy Affects Muscle Collagen Type I and Decreases Gait Speed in Dystrophin-Deficient Dogs”, talks about a Golden Retriever being used to test the results of physical therapy to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The canine is used because it closely resembles the DMD of a human. In the study the canine goes through different stages of physical therapy to see which method works best. The result ends up being that physical therapy was the most beneficial. This shows that physical therapy is not used solely on humans but for
all.
However, not all results are good in physical therapy.
The article, "Is Exercise Good or Bad for Arthritis in the Elderly?" is about the good and bad results of exercising and performing physical therapy for people with arthritis. In this article it shows the bad side of physical therapy being a stress on the bodies of the elderly. Sean Rundell, wrote an article on a patient’s outcome of using physical therapy to treat their back pain. The way he tested this was by conducting a research study to see the results of people who used physical therapy and whether their results were efficient or not. The results turned out to be more positive than negative feedback. But, not all people had good feedback of their experience using physical therapy. It caused some to feel more pain from exercising and stretching parts of their bodies that they usually don’t use in that way. Robert Saper tested this even further and showed someone who has chronic lower back pain and compared the effects of using yoga versus physical therapy to treat it. This was proven by conducting an experiment for 52 weeks to show the long lasting effects between the
two.
One of the major side affects you are likely to experience in the course of therapy is pain. Your baseline pain may actually increase as you rehabilitate and recover, and this may lead to confusion and poor motivation to continue. It is essential to discuss these issues with your therapist and physician to determine if alternate treatment interventions would help alleviate pain and allow continued participation. To help control pain, your physician may recommend oral pain medication 30 minutes prior to a session. Heat, ice or topical treatments after a session, per your therapist's direction, may also reduce pain. Swelling is another common side effect of physical therapy. As your therapist challenges your muscles, ligaments and tendons to strengthen them, your body may respond with increased edema, or swelling. The edema can cause additional pain and functional limitations. Speak with your therapist about treatments, such as using ice post-therapy or using hot and then cold to help control swelling, which can reduce pain and swelling and improve circulation simultaneously.
Some people seem to think that physical therapy is all in the mind and not in the body. To further explain, if someone were to exercise or stretch the pain away they would think that since they are doing those things they are feeling better. When in reality their bodies aren’t fully healed. Cary Stotharts, "Is the Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Cognition a Placebo Effect?” is an article that speaks about how aerobic exercise could be just a placebo effect. A research study was conducted to see the difference between those who have anaerobic exercise versus those who have aerobic exercise and compare the results. Among adults with painful hip osteoarthritis, physical therapy did not result in greater improvement in pain or function compared with sham treatment, raising questions about its value for these patients.
You may underestimate the psychological and emotional stress you will experience in conjunction with your therapy. Frequent appointments, pain, poor progress and lengthy time spent in therapy can tax your schedule. Discuss your issues with your family and friends, and ask for help with child care, meal preparation and transportation to allow you to focus on your therapy. Meet with an occupational counselor to guide you in transition if you are unable to return to work as a result of your injury or illness. Being proactive regarding the stresses and issues you face will allow you to take control of your situation and respond productively to the changes you are facing, both long-term and short-term.
As with any medical intervention, participation in physical therapy is no guarantee of recovery or complete resolution of symptoms. Because this can be discouraging, you may be tempted to discontinue your therapy. However, ending therapy prematurely will likely result in long-term pain and re-injury. It is important to stay the course. Talk with your therapist to discuss your personal goals, and be as specific as possible. Your therapist may be able to adjust the direction of treatment to target your specific goals or may educate you on lifestyle changes you can make to facilitate improved outcomes. Physical therapy can be thought of as many different things. Some think it is just a placebo effect, some think it makes them feel worse, and for others it is a full body remedy for them.