How Does Physical Therapy Help Maintain Mobility?

BY MORGAN HOPKINS, DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

We have all heard the old adage, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”  While the saying may not hold true in all situations, it most definitely applies when it comes to mobility.  Movement is essential to life and impacts everything from digestion to breathing to immunity.  Unfortunately, in this new age, we are spending more time in front of screens and less time moving.  Seemingly simple tasks such as squatting, getting up and down from the floor, and walking have become cumbersome if not unattainable, tasks for many. 

So, who do we turn to if we have a movement disorder?  While an orthopedic physician may be the first point of contact for an associated injury, ultimately, Physical Therapists are the professionals responsible for identifying, diagnosing, and correcting mobility deficits and associated movement dysfunction.  For some, movement training may involve education on how to transition out of a sedentary lifestyle.  For others, it may mean maximizing knee flexion and extension after a knee replacement or regaining dynamic agility following an ACL reconstruction.  Regardless of the situation, Physical Therapy can help restore, improve, and maximize functional movement.

Through a Physical Therapy evaluation, a practitioner will grossly assess a patient’s mobility through special tests and movement analysis.  Depending on the patient scenario, they may help maintain mobility by adjusting a patient’s gait with an appropriate assistive device or by making adjustments to a person’s home environment- both of which can increase the safety and efficiency of movement.  Once gross patterning is evaluated, Physical Therapists will then break out into individual joint testing to assess range of motion, strength, flexibility, and swelling.  Based on the information collected, they can create a plan of care and prescribe appropriate exercises and manual interventions to mobilize or stabilize a joint as needed.  Through treatment, the practitioner and the patient work collaboratively to gain mobility and strength, reduce pain, and improve movement patterns required in daily functioning, including reaching, dressing, walking, running, and squatting.

Ultimately, a person’s ability to move can significantly improve his or her overall quality of life and longevity.  Physical Therapists utilize multiple treatment methods to help maintain and/or improve human movement and continue to be the go-to specialists for functional mobility.  If you or someone you know is having any concerns related to movement, consult your physician and consider a referral to your local PT.