How Physical Therapy Can Help You at Every Age

Physical therapy is essential at every life stage, from infancy to old age, and is much more than a treatment for people who are injured or have problems with mobility. People of all ages and abilities may benefit from the skills of a trained physical therapist- children develop their motor skills, while older ones regain balance and independence. This article explores how Aurora physical therapy can help at every age.

Physical Therapy for Children

Children in physical therapy are not simply “patients.” They are kids learning to be “bipedal” and to “otherwise move in space.”  Gross motor skill development in a child is somehow even more significant than it is for a great athlete and that is because a child is still developing. Children in physical therapy need to feel comfortable at treatment and you may notice activities like playing on slides, swings, ladders, and weighted balls, aquatic therapy, and completing fun obstacle courses.

How Does Physical Therapy Help Children?

There are three main ways that physical therapy can assist children: recovery after an injury, support during development, and management of certain medical conditions.

Because of their nature to be active and adventurous, children tend to sustain overuse injuries. A physical therapist can help not only in the rehabilitation after such an injury, but also in preventing it from happening in the first place. Techniques like rest, compression, ice, and braces can help an injury heal and relieve pain.

When children don’t reach certain milestones within an expected time frame, they may be experiencing developmental delays. A physical therapist can help your child reach developmental milestones by planning gross motor activities for them to practice. Through play activities, your child can improve their motor skills and reach milestones they may need support with.

Furthermore, children who have genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, often face challenges that make their movements less than optimal and sometimes painful. Because of this, children with genetic conditions tend to find mastering motor skills particularly difficult. Yet, with concentrated effort and the help of well-trained professionals—such as the physical therapists at Athletic Edge Physical Therapy in Aurora, IL—these children can achieve great things. They can learn to undertake efficient, safe movements and even to perform complex motor tasks.

Physical therapy in Aurora, IL, can help with other medical conditions, including cerebral palsy, scoliosis, and torticollis.

Physical Therapy for Adolescents

Adolescents can gain a lot from physical therapy, especially when it comes to recovering from injuries and correcting their postures. Teenagers who are active in sports are at high risk for a variety of injuries, from obvious sprains and strains to less noticeable overuse injuries. If you are in an active rehab program, your physical therapist will also give you exercises geared to help you with your posture. Poor posture can increase your chances of getting hurt. Sadly, even though teenagers should be the epitome of good posture, many are at a higher risk of developing poor posture due to an inordinate amount of time spent sitting, as well as the amount of time they are spending on electronic devices.

How Does Physical Therapy Help Adults?

Adults can benefit from physical therapy in many ways. When a physical therapist works with you, they will evaluate your condition and develop a plan of care tailored just for you. They may use several different techniques during your treatments, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and various modalities. They would be likely to use those to benefit you in several ways, including managing your pain and helping you recover your mobility and function after an injury or surgery. Among adults, several common conditions could benefit from therapy. They include back and neck pain, arthritis, tendinitis, and problems with the pelvic floor.

Improving fitness levels is another goal that physical therapy can help you reach. Your therapist will work with you to design an individualized exercise program that suits your ability and your level of fitness. They will work with you to ensure your form is correct so that the exercises are effective and so that you can carry them into your life outside of the clinic. Our bodies are more vulnerable to poor health and disability as we age.

Physical Therapy for Older Adults

Many older adults struggle with back pain, arthritis, and problems with balance. The good news is that physical therapy helps with all of these issues and more. The techniques that physical therapists use promote relaxation, de-stressing, and improved mobility.

As people grow older, they tend to become less mobile, leading potentially to a loss of independence. One of the avenues that can be pursued to help older adults maintain (or regain) mobility is physical therapy. The therapist works with the client to improve various aspects of their physical capabilities—most importantly, to regain or retain balance, which, when one thinks about it, is the essence of not only being able to walk but also being able to perform so many of the basic tasks we do without thinking (like going up and down stairs, or leaning over to pick something up).

Conclusion

Physical therapy is beneficial for all ages, from childhood to adulthood. With specialized techniques, your therapist can create a customized care plan to suit everyone and improve their quality of life. You can schedule a consultation for Physical therapy and back pain therapy aurora with us at Physical Therapy Advantage to learn how physical therapy can help you.

Kindly reach out today!