Yearly Physical Therapy Visits are Just as Important as Annual Cholesterol Tests

July 9, 2018 Tim@inhometherapygr.com

You know the drill. During your annual visit, your primary care physician will order a cholesterol test. Combined with an assessment of health measures such as diet and exercise, the results of the cholesterol test will provide your physician with the information needed to make a recommendation. If the results are positive, you might hear, “You’re doing great, keep doing what you’ve been doing!” If the results are unfavorable, then you’re more likely to be told, “I’d like you to walk for 20 additional minutes each day and eat cholesterol-lowering foods like oatmeal.”

Over time, high cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to form in your arteries, putting you in a high-risk category for heart disease and stroke. Similarly, the cumulative effects of poor posture or a muscular imbalance can take a toll on your body and inhibit your ability to move properly. That’s where a physical therapist comes in. Annual Physical Therapy “checkups” can catch the musculoskeletal problems that put you at risk for injury or limit your ability to function down the line.

Of course, it’s best to schedule your checkup before you’re experiencing a problem. That way, your physical therapist can establish a baseline based on your functional level at that time and use it to identify changes during subsequent annual visits. The effects of poor posture or a muscular imbalance may not be immediately apparent to you, but they will be to your PT.

Physical Therapy Checkup

An annual “checkup” gives your PT an inside look at your musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system is composed of your muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints and other connective tissues. It’s important that these essential internal structures are working together to support, stabilize and move your body.

Just as taking an annual trek to the primary care physician helps to monitor your cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. Yearly physical therapy appointments allow your PT to identify and address any changes in the way you move before they become something more.

Contact In Home Therapy of Grand Rapids today for your yearly “checkup”

Ask a Physical Therapist to “screen” your movements this Spring

May 27, 2018 Tim@inhometherapygr.com

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In Home Therapy of Grand Rapids

Let’s talk about the last time you—or someone close to you—interviewed for a new job. Chances are that the first step was a phone screen with your potential employer. When you passed that portion of the process with flying colors, you were then invited for an in-person interview. At that stage, the employer probably asked you to answer a series of questions and to demonstrate your skills through a test or two. The process is set up in a way that narrows down the options until the most suitable candidate is found. Makes sense, right?

Just as job recruiters screen applicants to find the best fit for an open position, your Physical Therapist will ask you to perform a series of exercises to observe and understand your body mechanics to uncover any issues or limitations. Used in combination with a full evaluation and assessment, these movement screens are just one tool in identifying the most appropriate treatment or prevention program for you. But unlike that test you may have taken during a job interview, the screen is not testing your skills or abilities, it’s simply a way of identifying how your body functions during a variety of movements.

pink cherry blossom tree under blue sky during daytime

Now that spring is in full swing, it’s the perfect time of year to make an appointment with your physical therapist for a movement screen. The warmer weather means more time spent outdoors participating in sports and other recreational activities that may be physically demanding. A physical therapy checkup that includes a movement screen will ensure that you’re physically able to engage in popular spring and summer adventures. Whether it’s exploring in the woods, tending to your garden, or swimming at your family’s lake house.

Physical therapists perform movement screens for a variety of reasons, including:

To identify areas of strength and weakness
To uncover issues or rule them out
To determine readiness to begin a safe exercise program
To improve sport performance (for both novice and elite athletes)

A movement screen is something that you can have done whether you have a nagging injury or are simply ready to kickstart your activity level after a long hiatus. Gaining an understanding of how your body performs during basic exercises such as squats and lunges helps your Physical Therapist ensure that you can safely jump on a bike or into a pool this summer. Just like an employer screens candidates to identify the one individual who is likely to thrive on the job for many years to come. A movement screen can help you develop a lasting and fulfilling relationship with the activities you enjoy most.

Contact In Home Therapy of Grand Rapids today to get your Physical Therapy screening.