Physical Therapists Empower People With Disabilities Dealing with a disability can easily cause a person to become discouraged, leading to a sedentary lifestyle that can further harm their health. MOVEMENT AS MEDICINE
wheelchair, cane, or other assistive device to get around, a physical therapist can help them learn exercises to challenge their muscles and lungs. Manage Pain The pain that accompanies some disabilities can instill a fear of moving, or kinesiophobia. To break through that fear, patients need exercise that suits their age and ability. PTs are trained to develop these personalized programs. Through hands-on care and a supervised exercise program, a physical therapist can help patients learn to exercise in ways that will ease their fears and reduce pain through natural means, often avoiding the need for prescription drugs and surgery. Preserve Independence For patients with Parkinson’s disease or another neurological condition, a physical therapist can help them take ownership of their physical condition and slow the progression of the disease. Therapists accomplish this by coaching patients on
Have a Laugh an exercise plan to address it. For patients impaired by a degenerative spine disease, for example, working with a physical therapist can help strengthen their core and back muscles and avoid surgery, research shows. For children with muscular dystrophy, a physical therapist can build their core strength and movement skills to preserve as much mobility as possible despite losing muscle mass. And for patients using a In recognition of Dec. 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this is a good time to consider how a physical therapist can help individuals with disabilities keep moving and functioning at their best. Preserve Mobility Physical therapists are trained to diagnose why a disability makes movement difficult and develop
moves and stretches to increase mobility, strength, and balance, allaying progressive muscle weakness and shoring up the patient’s confidence. Similarly, for older adults impaired by vertigo or dizziness, a skilled physical therapist can offer exercises to improve balance and, depending on the cause of the problem, guide the patient in procedures to correct vestibular problems in the inner ear. If you or someone you love is dealing with a disability, don’t hesitate to contact us for an assessment today. We will be glad to diagnose the cause of your issues and design a personalized program that will enable you to function at your maximum potential!
Baked Feta, Tomato, and White Bean Skillet
Ingredients • 2 pints cherry tomatoes • 2 (15-oz) cans no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed • 4 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/4 tsp salt • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 6 oz feta cheese, packed in brine, cut into 4 pieces • 1 tbsp hot honey • Basil leaves, for garnish • 4 slices toasted whole-wheat country bread, optional, for serving
Directions 1.
Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large, oven-safe skillet, combine tomatoes, beans, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. 3. Drizzle with 5 tbsp of olive oil and stir gently. 4. Add feta pieces 2 inches apart in the mixture and drizzle with remaining olive oil. 5. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst. 6. Remove from oven and drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with basil leaves, and serve with toast if desired.
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