Physical therapy – as a health discipline – plays an extremely important role, both in the prevention and recovery of injuries, many types of conditions, pre and postoperative, and also to treat patients with chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy, through specialized and personalized programs for each type of patient, fulfill the function of increasing mobility, flexibility, resistance, and strength of muscles and joints.
What is a chronic disease?
The most accurate definition would be “It is a non-transferable disease or disease that can last, in general, 3 months or more and, in the world, cause the highest number of deaths”.
Four major diseases cause these deaths:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Chronic lung diseases (COPD)
- Diabetes (metabolic diseases)
Some others that we can name to consider the implications are:
- Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
- Asthma
- Multiple sclerosis
This type of disease usually occurs in patients of advanced age or those who have suffered some type of injury or trauma. Chronic disease is usually controlled by certain treatments, but they are not cured. Currently, it is known that six out of ten people die from these types of diseases.
Risk factors
Most of the causes of these diseases are given according to the way patients behave and four main risk factors are defined:
- High levels of sugar
- Arterial hypertension
- Blood lipids (cholesterol)
- Obesity
It could be said that, once these factors are controlled, these diseases can be controlled. This involves major behavioral changes:
- Physical activity: Perform this type of activity with a minimum of two or three hours per week.
- Diet: Have a diet according to metabolic expenditure, consuming fruits and vegetables, controlling the amounts.
- Detoxification: Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and drugs in general.
The patient must be aware of the disease to cope with the treatment and begin to make the necessary modifications in their lifestyle.
Sedentary lifestyle as a risk factor
With the advancement of technology, new fashions, new models, and new lifestyles, such as the types of work in the office or various institutions, and taking into account the context of the pandemic that we are going through, it becomes more difficult to carry out physical activity. Both children, adolescents, and adults tend to spend too much time in front of a computer or any other device of this type, sitting, lying down, adopting bad postures and habits, we become lazier and damage our overall health.
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main causes of chronic diseases, and many times they tend to go unnoticed until we feel pain or discomfort in the body.
The lack of movement, flexibility, and strength weakens the musculoskeletal system in general, eating, mental, and especially physical disorders appear. It is important to have a substantial education that allows us to be alert to certain behaviors and to be aware that they can harm us in the medium or long term.
We know that the benefits of regular physical activity are innumerable. Science has proven the benefits of being in constant movement and exercising with weight. Recently, the revealing results of the largest study ever carried out on the exercise and physical condition of people were published, whether they are athletes or do some physical activity for pleasure or a particular reason.
This study carried out by researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine and published in the European Heart Journal, showed that higher intensity physical activities have more benefits than lighter activities, but this does not mean that they do not contribute to health and welfare.
To all this, having a good physical condition greatly influences health and at the same time reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, among many others.
For example, an intense exercise routine is three times more effective and favorable than simply walking, and fourteen times more effective than performing daily activities such as moving from one place to another in the house, choosing to take the stairs, and not an elevator, cooking, etc.
Physical therapy as a model of well-being
In the first instance, physical therapy’s method is to design therapeutic intervention schemes, disease prevention through physical exercise, accompanied by other professionals who make up the medical body such as psychologists, nutritionists, traumatologists, etc. In itself, physiotherapy promotes comprehensive health and educates the patient, adopting healthy habits and behaviors, thus improving aerobic and anaerobic condition, sleep, mental health, which can affect chronic diseases. In this way, the patient can integrate into society and his environment.
One of the primary goals of physical therapy is to try to reduce the proliferation of chronic diseases in the general population. The personalized therapeutic programs help combat muscle and joint injuries, diseases such as osteoporosis, obesity, greatly improve the cardiorespiratory condition, among others.
The key to avoiding this type of disease from the beginning is prevention. It is as important as the treatment of chronic disease. Learning to take care of our body is a very big responsibility.
While it is true that many accidents cannot be avoided, others can. Giving your body the necessary tools to take care of itself will help you have a more “intense” life and in the best way.
Summarizing
Physical therapy is a health practice that dates back to ancient times. Although it has evolved, it maintains its essence, simplicity, and effectiveness in treating chronic diseases.
Physical activity is extremely important, not only to strengthen the body, but to provide mental and social well-being, since it integrates the patient into daily life, daily chores, sharing, and integrating not only in their inner circle but also in its external environment in general.
Always remember to go to a professional physical therapist, to a specialized center where they provide you with adequate treatment for your condition.
At the Miracle Physical Therapy and Massage Center, in Michigan State you will find first-line professionals who will accompany you during the recovery cycle more than you need. You can check out their website here: miraclerehabclinic.com/locations/warren
Caring for health is everyone’s responsibility. Take action before you get worse.
