Many of us only think of therapy in the context of injury recuperation. With the rise of focus on preventive care, though, a yearly physical therapy checkup could soon become a recognized health standard.
The impact of preventive care
It’s become common knowledge that preventive care is critical to lifelong health and help millions of people avoid the development of chronic conditions. Part of the reason these conditions are so prevalent is that the human lifespan has grown longer, but many of us still aren’t proactive about our health. Large percentages of senior citizens end up with serious illnesses that damage their quality of life and elevate insurance costs.
Maintenance of your body and regular checkups are the best way to reduce your risk of illness, according to the nonprofit World Research Foundation (WRF). “For you and me, the choice regarding our health is simple,” says the WRF. “Either invest a relatively small amount (which may be covered 100% by insurance) in order to stay in good health, or pay a huge amount later to treat [a] disease.”
A form of preventive care that doctors increasingly recommend is an annual physical therapy exam.
One woman’s case for yearly physical therapy
Many healthcare experts have long advised in favor of an annual physical therapy exam. However, very few people get this yearly checkup simply because it isn’t built into typical insurance plans.
University of Washington in St. Louis researcher Dr. Shirley Sahrmann is a strong, long-time advocate of yearly visits. The physical therapy professor believes that these appointments will serve in a similar manner to routine physicals and dental cleanings: a way to stop minor issues before they develop.
Dr. Sahrmann argues that our alignment, walking style, and use of ergonomic strategies all can help to prevent injury. Knowing any areas of inflexibility or weakness, as conveyed by a therapist in an annual visit, will give patients a sense of what they need to improve.
Andrew Zang, a physical therapy clinical manager in Pennsylvania, agrees. “Insert an annual musculoskeletal exam by a physical therapist and now the individual will learn their areas to improve for prevention,” he says. “Physical therapy should not just be reserved solely for those injured, but also for injury prevention and improving quality of life.”
Prevention and injury recovery
Are you interested in a preventive physical therapy checkup, or have you suffered an injury? We can help. The specialists at Atlanta Medical Clinic have a passion for educating our patients and are committed to practicing responsible healthcare. See our patient reviews.