Is Rehab Therapy Right For You? Here are the Benefits
At some point in life, you or your loved one may lose your physical, mental, or cognitive abilities. This can be caused by physical
injuries, diseases, mental distress, major surgeries, stroke, and even side effects of medical treatment. It may also occur naturally,
such as congenital disabilities and genetic disorders.
Sadly, those experiencing this will find it difficult to lead a normal life. The good news is that you can restore or improve your lost
abilities with the help of a professional through a rehabilitation therapy program.
While there are many types of rehabilitation therapy, all are aimed at one goal – improving your functioning and daily life.
Many individuals find it difficult to go for rehab therapy. Some may have already given up and accepted their new normal, while
others may not be aware of the benefits.
Many people feel like they cannot afford rehab therapy and may balk at the cost. However, if you were injured, perhaps at work
or in a car accident, contact an expert to help you get the compensation you need to pay for rehabilitation.
How can rehab therapy improve your life?
Activities to lessen pain
Pain – no matter how small, greatly reduces your quality of life. Do you know chronic pain can make you feel depressed, deny
your restful sleep, and in many cases, is the leading cause of reduced mobility?
Physical therapy helps you reduce or eliminate severe pain. Physical therapists use therapeutic exercises as well as manual
therapy techniques, to restore joint and muscle function, thus reducing pain.
The exercises are coupled with treatments like tapping, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to restore your functional ability
while lessening pain, and in many cases, the exercises prevent the pain from returning.
The good thing about rehab therapy is that there is an array of approaches you can try to get back on your feet – from the trained
and experienced therapists to assistive devices, equipment, and therapies, there is something for everyone.
Bounce back from a stroke
Strokes are devastating and almost always cause a loss of function, depending on their severity. Stroke patients may have little
command over their daily activities like bathing, toileting, and dressing.
There are various therapies for stroke patients depending on the part of the brain that was damaged. For instance, some patients
have difficulty finding words, or to understand what others are saying. For such patients, speech therapy is highly beneficial.
After a stroke, most patients suffer from paralysis. Physical therapy goes a long way in helping them to regain strength, control of movement, and balance.
Psychological counseling is also essential in helping stroke survivors overcome feelings of anger, anxiety, frustration, and
depression.
Speech therapy
Speech therapy or cognitive rehabilitation therapy helps patients to relearn, think, communicate, or swallow. Patients with
dementia, strokes, Alzheimer’s, autism, among other conditions, will often have difficulties with speech.
Speech and language therapists, available at rehabilitation centers, use techniques like offering visual aids, simplifying
instructions, memory books, in conjunction with other recommendations to help patients improve their quality of life.
Strengthen your muscles
Tight muscles and joints can limit your everyday activities like running or climbing stairs. Such a person is also at a higher
risk of getting an injury due to a low range of motion.
Your range of motion lowers as you age – which is why older people have joint and muscle problems with some experiencing
pain when they move. Some may even need a joint replacement, and recovering from the surgery can be challenging.
Those recovering from injuries can also benefit from rehabilitation therapy. The soft tissue contract due to the formation of
scar tissue after you have had an injury.
Muscle strength is very vital, particularly for those who rely on their bodies to work at optimum levels. This includes athletes,
personal trainers, yoga teachers, and even construction workers and landscapers.
All the above categories of people would highly benefit from structured rehab therapy.
Managing chronic diseases
Physical exercises (physical therapy) are a useful part of the diabetes management plan. Many with diabetes experience
difficulties with sensation, especially in their legs and feet, they may have had an amputation, or perhaps just part of the
daily exercise regimen.
For those with lung diseases, respiratory therapy helps to maintain open airways while reducing respiratory distress.
Deep breathing exercises, and how to use inhalers or supplementary oxygen correctly, are just some of the parts of respiratory therapy.
Recreation therapy
Recreational therapy – also referred to as therapeutic recreation – is aimed at maintaining or improving the social, physical,
cognitive, spiritual, and emotional functioning of an individual.
Some of the techniques used in recreational therapy include sports, animals, arts and crafts, dance, games, music, and drama.
The benefits of recreation therapy include increased cooperation, a stronger immune system, reduced insomnia, improved
conversational skills, among others.
The good thing about recreation therapy is that it can be done by almost anyone irrespective of age, gender, or other limitations.
Not only is it just beneficial, but many recreational therapy activities are also enjoyable.
Bottom Line
Rehab therapy helps individuals to regain and improve their lost abilities while enhancing the quality of their lives. It is also useful
in managing chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and lung disease. No need to suffer from decreased mobility, chronic pain,
and mental distress. Try rehab therapy and tap into the numerous benefits.
