Columbia Physical Therapy And The Older Active Senior Citizen

Michelle Swift, a physical therapist from Columbia Physical Therapy recently talked with senior citizens at the Greenbush Area YMCA who are motivated to be active and fit. In light of recent reports about the risk of heart attack and stroke with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation, consumers may wish to consider the benefits of physical therapist intervention for pain relief from certain conditions, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

"Many people tell us that they are looking for alternatives to the sole use of medication to deal with painful conditions," Swift said after the morning at the YMCA fair for Older, Active Adults. "Pain medication is often helpful to get you through periods of severe pain, but it won't always help you eliminate the underlying cause of some kinds of pain. Poor posture and alignment as well as weak or stiff muscles and joints might be the underlying cause of the pain," Swift explained. "A physical therapist will perform a complete musculoskeletal examination and design an individualized treatment program to reduce pain and improve function." Today I met YMCA members who previously had physical therapy and were so pleased they learned the correct exercise techniques enabling them to continue on their own."

A licensed physical therapist can offer different treatments for many types of pain and inflammation. For example, chronic pain in the back, shoulder, or knee or pain associated with certain degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, can be reduced with the appropriate combination of medication and exercise.

For pain of a 'mechanical' origin such as back, shoulder, or knee pain, physical therapist intervention may include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and functional training. "The goal of the physical therapist is to reduce pain, improve your ability to perform daily activities, and help the individual return to doing the things he or she likes to do," said Ben Massey, President of the APTA. "It is also true that patients may unknowingly contribute to their own pain, such as by exercising improperly or with poor posture that physical therapists can identify and help to correct." Massey added, "Through the use of home programs designed to fit the individual's needs, the physical therapist can efficiently progress the individual's rehabilitation and teach the patient how to prevent a recurrence of the original condition." For additional information, contact Swift at 286-3990 or stop by Columbia Physical Therapy at 2 Empire Drive, suite 202.