The relief of pain and regain of function
While I don’t consider myself athletic, I do exercise. I’ve tried aerobics, Zumba, yoga, Pound, HIIT, online classes, videos, going to the gym… There were times when I would be sore after trying something new, or when increasing the intensity of a certain exercise.
Then there were times when I would not do something properly or continue to do something even if it started to hurt. Most of the time the pain would go away after some rest. Then one day I tried a new yoga position and something did not feel right in my lef t shoulder. Despite rest, cold compress and pain medications, the pain persisted. Then I did not pay attention to my doctor’s advice regarding exercises to help, and I ended up with a frozen shoulder.
A frozen shoulder happens when inflammation and pain prevent movement of the joint and eventually it becomes difficult to move. While a frozen shoulder can get better on its own within 12-18 months, it became frustrating for me, wanting to do something but I couldn’t, or I was unable to do something properly and needed help.
At this point, physical therapy was advised. PT is a big part of recovery after extensive or chronic injuries. Patients need PT to heal properly and hopefully recover with minimal complications -- and to prevent further injury.
PT is for anyone who wants to work toward their highest level of function under professional supervision. The lack of supervision is often what hampers patients on the road to recovery. If injury, illness or age have prevented you from moving your body safely, effectively and without pain, then PT can help you get back on track.
PT starts with an evaluation, during which your Rehabilitation Medicine doctor and physical therapist will assess your overall functional mobility. After this evaluation, you, your physical therapist and your physician will work together to come up with your mobility goals and develop a plan for reaching them. This plan will be personalized for you and your lifestyle. You may have one-on-one sessions at home or in a gym-like setting, at a hospital or an out-patient facility, with exercises that you can do on your own. PT also teaches you how to safely move your body to prevent injury.
PT and occupational therapy often work in tandem with one main difference: PT focuses on improving the movement of the body, whereas OT focuses on improving your ability to perform activities of daily living. For example, if you sustained an injury to your spine, PT will help you regain the ability to move your spine in all six directions and help eliminate pain. OT can help you resume your daily activities, such as dressing yourself, cooking a meal, driving and any activity that is important to you.
Once you’ve reached your functional mobility goals, it is up to you and your physical therapist to decide whether to continue. It can take six to eight weeks for soft tissue to heal, which is why patients are typically advised to do PT for this amount of time after surgery or injury. However, physical therapists are also great counselors and motivators for continuing exercise after injury or surgery to ensure that you’re moving in a way that’s safe for your body to protect it from getting re-injured.
It took me 24 PT sessions to get my shoulder “unfrozen.” I have now learned to listen to my body -- if it starts to hurt it’s a sign to stop. And if you develop an injury, don’t be afraid to get the help you need to get back to functioning at your best and without pain -- and to reduce the risk of injury again.
PT focuses on improving the movement of the body, whereas OT focuses on improving your ability to perform activities of daily living.