Physical Therapist Career Details
By using the patient's medical history, occupational therapists can test their patient's strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. This is to determine the patient's ability and how much work needs to be done to bring them up to par. They also determine the amount of work the client will be able to handle and the nature of the work.
After that, therapists develop a treatment plan and implement a strategy to reach their goal. The therapist may have assistants who will also help and work with the patient to help achieve a set goal. An example of treatment would be exercising to improve mobility for a patient. Patients will be encouraged to use and further develop their muscles which may help them improve their ability to function at work or at home.
In terms of relieving pain, these therapists may use alleviating methods such as electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold compresses and even ultra sound. Some are trained to give deep tissue massages, which also helps to relieve pain. Patients will also be instructed in how to use adaptive devices such as wheel chairs, and crutches to further their functioning ability.
Physical Therapists also work with other professionals in the field such as dentists, nurses, and social workers. Hence they are not alone in their work, and will confer with such professionals to better know and treat their clients.
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