If you have an injury from an accident or disability as the result of chronic illness you will find when you begin working with your physical therapist that they are qualified in many more areas than simply helping to overcome an injury or disability. 

When the physical therapist assesses your injury or disability they will also perform an assessment of your overall health status.  The evaluation is quite extensive and with good reason since it contributes to a personalized plan for helping you to enjoy a better quality of life.  Without assessing your overall health, a physical therapist cannot identify health weaknesses which can be corrected with a personalized plan.

A physical therapist can be beneficial to your recovery regardless of what your health issues may be.  A physical therapist will take a holistic approach to treating your injury or disability and take a genuine interest in your overall health and well being.  This helps you to keep living a healthy lifestyle and can prevent you from having more serious medical treatment in the future.

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There are people who seek the advice of a physical therapist to receive a personalized exercise regimen that is tailored to their health and individual needs.  The health level of each individual varies and by consulting with a physical therapist individuals get more out of the program due to the fact it is specifically designed according to their health status and their age. In addition to a detailed and personalized program, a physical therapist will make some general recommendations that work with any type of exercise regimen.

Physical therapists recommend a daily water intake before and during exercise and after a workout.  Additionally, it is important to take sips of water throughout the day to maintain cell hydration. 

Physical therapists accentuate the importance of warm up before an exercise routine since the body requires a transition period when it goes from rest to exercise

Cool down is equally as important, according to professional physical therapists and benefits the heart and recovery from the exercise session.  It is best to do the cool down routine gradually and then follow up with proper stretching exercises to prevent injury.

If insurance-related hurdles are preventing you from achieving optimal health, cash-based physical therapy can be an effective solution. High deductibles and co-pays lead many individuals to forgo treatment in an effort cut expenses, while those without insurance often ignore seemingly minor issues until they turn into major health problems. If you’re looking to attain a healthy balance both physically and financially, cash-based physical therapy offers an affordable way to immediately improve your overall health and wellness.

Improve Your Quality of Life and Avoid Costly Medical Treatments

Many people overlook the importance of preventative health measures, ignoring minor aches, pains and weight problems until immediate medical attention is required. At that point, expensive medications or surgery may be necessary to address the resulting health issues. While physical therapy is often associated with rehabilitative treatments, it is also an ideal form of preventative care.

Whether you’ve suffered an injury, are overweight or are simply looking for help in setting and achieving fitness goals, physical therapy can help. A licensed physical therapist will develop a customized health program designed to improve your strength, fitness, mobility and overall quality of life. Physical therapy is a smart alternative to traditional curative care, because physical therapists focus on addressing underlying health and fitness issues rather than merely treating the symptoms. By taking a holistic approach to health and wellness, physical therapy can help alleviate pain, restore full mobility and prevent further injury in patients undergoing treatment, while empowering preventative-care clients to achieve and maintain optimal health and fitness.

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A physical therapist can not only recommend a personalized workout regimen, they can also show you how to save time working out so you can integrate it with your busy lifestyle without sacrificing fitness.  First, you should consult with a physical therapist on a personalized plan that is appropriate for your age and your health status.  In addition to the plan, your physical therapist can also recommend some ways that you can save time on your regular workout routine.

See your physical therapist regularly to ensure that your workout routine is on schedule and still aligned with your current health status and then set it up so you can work out at home.

If you are currently working out up to six times each week or even every day try cutting back to every other day.  As a general rule, the body needs at least 48 hours to recover from the previous workout. 

If you like going to the gym but hate the time it takes then come up with a backup plan if the equipment you planned to use is busy, there is always alternative equipment that involves a slightly different exercise but works the same muscle group. 

Make it a goal to write down the amount of time you are going to spend on each exercise and then stick with it. If you plan to spend 12 minutes on a specific set of sets on weights then challenge yourself to stick with that routine.

These are just a few ways that you can save time working out and still stay fit.  Your physical therapist has many other creative ways that will help you to save time on your workout and stick to your routine.

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Business Owner and Physical Therapist Carol Lane Expands Results Physical Therapy in Maine, Introducing My Gym Children’s Fitness in Brewer Wellness Center.

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Most people are unaware that physical therapists can serve individuals in many different capacities including health and wellness.  This is why more people are seeking the expertise of a physical therapist to obtain a personalized exercise and comprehensive health and wellness program. One component of the personalized program which is designed by a physical therapist is learning how to stretch properly.

Physical therapists recommend regular stretching exercises for 15 minutes several times a week.  They should also be a staple in both a warm-up and cool down routine.  Patients will get the most out of stretching if they warm up lightly prior to a stretching session.  A low impact walk or other similar activity will enhance stretching exercises.

Physical therapists also stress the importance of breathing techniques during stretching exercises.  The proper way to breathe is to exhale during stretching, hold the stretch, and then inhale when returning to a relaxed position.

Be careful when performing stretching exercises that include the lower back. The lower back should be flat against the mat during the exercise to prevent injury.  Another tip is to avoid bouncing to speed up the routine since this activity contributes to injury.

Many people are convinced they know the proper method for stretching however the majority rush through it or end up doing it improperly which results in an injury.  It really helps to seek the advice of a physical therapist to learn the proper ways to stretch.

When you seek the advice of a physical therapist for a personalized plan for health and wellness, exercise is an essential part of the plan.  There are many people that engage in a regular exercise regimen in an effort to improve their health however very few think about the other side of the picture which is avoiding injury and maintaining proper range of motion.

A physical therapist can help you to avoid injury and maintain proper range of motion by including the proper methods for stretching into your personalized exercise regimen. 

Stretching is the most beneficial if you warm-up lightly before you stretch.  A light walk or some other type of low impact activity will make your stretching routine more productive.

If you are just getting started with a stretching routine, exhale as you are stretching and then hold the stretch for at least 10 seconds. When you have completed holding the stretch remember to inhale as you come back to a relaxed position. 

When you are doing stretching exercises that involve the use of your back it is important to ensure that the lower part of your back stays flat.

If you have an injury, don’t forget to stretch the healthy side of your body equally with the injured side.

Even if you are experienced with stretching a physical therapist can also offer you some pointers and provide you with some great new techniques for proper stretching.

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Many individuals are surprised to find that physical therapy isn’t just about treating injuries anymore.  The modern physical therapist is well versed in health and wellness and many people are turning to physical therapists to kick their poor nutrition habits.

A high percentage of people feel that their health is spinning out of control and most need help and guidance getting their health back on track. This is where a visit to a physical therapist can be extremely beneficial for intervention.

Physical therapists take inventory of an individual’s current health position and then they design a personalized health and wellness program based on their findings.  The programs help patients stabilize current health issues and prevent health problems from transpiring down the road.  They also continually guide patients through the plan and make revisions where necessary during the course of the plan. 

Physical therapists are not only interested in helping someone overcome an injury they are also interested in the health and wellness of individuals.  When you visit a physical therapist it is like getting your own health and wellness program that is customized to suit your needs and this includes exercise.

Here are a few general tips a physical therapist would tell you on how to exercise properly before they create a detailed and individualized plan which will get you the results you are looking for without injury.

During every exercise session you should drink water before you begin, during the session, and after you have completed your exercise for the day.

Refrain from eating at least two hours before any aerobic type of exercise.  If you eat before your exercise session your body is exerting energy to digest the food and you will not get the most out of your exercise routine.

If you experience any pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or any other symptoms during exercise make sure you tell your physical therapist.

It is very important that you spend time on a warm-up session for up to 10 minutes before you begin exercising.  If you are older the warm up session should be a little longer to prevent injury during exercise. 

Make sure that you gradually cool down at the end of a vigorous exercise routine and avoid stopping your session abruptly.  A good way to cool down is to slow down your activity in increments and then follow up with stretching to prevent injuries.   

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Some people are unaware that working out does not have to be an unwanted chore if a few strategies are used for cutting back on the time it takes while still getting fit.  As a general rule, individuals should consider starting their program under the advice of a physical therapist. Modern physical therapists are well educated and help many individuals with a personalized health and wellness program.  They can also help save time on workouts without sacrificing effectiveness.

In addition to seeking the guidance of a physical therapist, working out at home can trim a lot of time off a workout.  The equipment is readily available and it is not necessary to get dressed, commute to the gym, waste time chatting or waiting for equipment, and driving home.

Working out every other day can also cut back significantly on the time it takes to workout. Physical therapists recommend that it takes about 48 hours for the body to recover from a workout.  By working out every other day for a slightly longer period of time the body gets a chance to rest and a lot of time is saved as well.

Having a backup plan when you work out at a gym will shave a lot of time off a workout session.  A backup plan is made up of alternative exercises the individual can do if a piece of equipment is tied up.