EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITSOF STRETCHING
As you age, your muscle tissue actually dries out a little, tightening. This causes a loss of range of motion in your joints and tissues. In addition to the loss of range of motion, it can really limit your active lifestyles and hinder day-to-day, normal motions. Tasks that used to be simple, such as dressing or squatting down to tie your shoes, now become extremely difficult. A regular stretching program helps lengthen your muscles and makes daily living activities much easier. Everyone can learn to stretch, regardless of age or flexibility. Stretching should be a part of your daily routine, whether you exercise or not. It does not have to involve a huge amount of time, but stretching can end up giving you huge results! Stretching is a natural part of what we do on a daily basis. You might notice that if you have been sitting in a particular position for a long time, you stretch unconsciously. It feels good! In addition to that good feeling, a consistent stretching program will produce large gains in flexibility and joint movement. Be kind to your muscles and they will be kind to you! Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect from a regular stretching program: • Reduced muscle tension • Increased range of movement in the joints • Enhanced muscular coordination • Increased circulation of the blood to various parts of the body • Increasedenergy levels(resultingfrom increasedcirculation ) Governor Rauner signed into law HB 4643 on August 16th, 2018, giving patients direct access to physical therapy services. In other words, patients can now bypass the need to see their primary care physician to request a referral to physical therapy. When patients have a need for physical therapy, they can schedule an appointment for an evaluation with a PT, cutting the time to access pain relief and recovery from injury significantly. HB 4643 was introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives on February 7th, 2018. It passed out of the House by unanimous vote on April 27th, 2018. The Senate passed it unanimously on May 23rd, 2018, sending it to the Governor’s desk for approval. Direct Access has been a long-time goal for physical therapists throughout the country. Most states have some form of direct access. Prior to this major change, patients in Illinois were allowed to have a physical therapy evaluation, but treatment could not be provided until a physician’s referral was obtained. This often took days to get, and it would usually require a visit to the physician’s office. Illinois has now joined many other states in recognizing a physical therapist’s ability to evaluate a patient and determine a plan of care without physician supervision.
DIRECT ACCESS TO PT IS FINALLY HERE
What this means to YOU: When you have an ache or a pain that is bothering you, or you aren’t moving the way you should be, you can call your physical therapist to set up an evaluation without having to contact your doctor or nurse practitioner first.
www.kptrs.com Call the clinic nearest you to schedule an appointment today! Kewanee: (309) 852-2200 Galva: (309) 932-8100 Stark County: (309) 695-4010.
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