PT Can Be Part of your Annual Wellness Routine

It is commonplace to see your primary care physician and your dentist for regular checkups.  We make these appointments and keep these appointments whether we are having a specific ailment or not to ensure that we are doing “well.”  But, did you ever consider making a visit with a physical therapist part of your annual “wellness” routine?

As depressing as it may sound, without regular physical activity to challenge our bodies, we begin to experience a decline in muscle strength, decreased function of our vestibular system, delays in reaction time, and reduction in our balance and stability.  Surprisingly, we can begin to see deterioration of these functions in people when they are as young as in their 30’s and 40’s.  This is where a visit with a physical therapist can come in handy!

Our bodies are amazing machines.  It will find ways to make small adaptations over time as our strength, mobility and balance change.  You probably would not even notice those changes are happening.  UNTIL.  Until what?  You might notice that you are wobbly going up and down your stairs and need to use a railing.  You might occasionally bump into doorways as you make a turn to enter a room.  You might not be able to get on and off the floor anymore.  Or you fall.  More than 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 fall every year.  But what if we could rewind the clock a bit and address balance, strength and stability BEFORE there is a fall?  What if we were proactive with our wellness and worked with a physical therapist to develop a routine to address any deficits earlier in life. Before the fall occurs.  Perhaps we could prevent you from falling in the first place!  A PT is trained to look at your flexibility, mobility, balance and more!  We will consider your daily activities, personal goals, and medical history identify your risk and create solutions that are specific to you and your body.

So, when making all of your wellness visits for the year, consider scheduling with your favorite physical therapist too.