Your car needs regular maintenance, so you probably have a mechanic. Your eyes and teeth are important, so you see your optometrist and dentist regularly. You get an annual physical from your family physician. You might even be getting ready to see your accountant to get your yearly income tax done. What about your physical therapist? Do you and your family have one? If not, you should. Your body is a lot like your car. It’s got multiple systems, all of which are complex, and all of which have to be working well for it to function. Physical therapists are experts in maintaining, diagnosing, and treating the movement system. Like the braking or ignition system in a car, most people only think of the movement system when it’s not working the way it should.
Don’t Neglect Your Movement System:
Similar to the systems in your car, problems with your movement system are much easier to deal with if they’re caught and treated early. This prevents small issues from becoming larger ones. For example, if you have a little bit of weakness, and balance that’s not quite up to par, improving those early could prevent a sprained ankle, or a fall and a broken wrist.
An annual movement screen from your physical therapist can find small issues that you may not have noticed with your strength, balance, flexibility, or coordination. Many of these minor issues can be fixed with a few exercises at home, or with just a few visits.
What to Expect:
A screen of your movement system is straightforward – requiring no more than an hour of your time scheduled with your physical therapist. Your annual visit may include:
- A history of your injuries, as well as a health history
- Assessment of your strength, balance, flexibility, etc.
- A review of your movement goals (do you want to run a marathon? Get on and off the floor easily playing with your grandkids?)
- A review and update of your exercise program if you already have one established
- Design of an individualized movement training program for you to use at home or wherever else that you choose to exercise
How to Make it Happen:
Scheduling an annual movement screening with your physical therapist has gotten easier in Texas. You no longer need a prescription to access physical therapy for up to 10 days of care. And physical therapy visits are generally covered by your health insurance plan. So all it takes to get started on moving better in 2020 is to pick up the phone and call to make an appointment for an evaluation. We invite you to contact your therapist at Symmetry soon. We look forward to partnering with you to make the New Year healthier!