Physical Therapy is Key to Getting Back to Everyday Life

Recovery programs for the majority of people admitted to Whitehall Boca Raton include physical therapy — often considered the foundation for restoring people to the optimal lifestyle they enjoyed prior to an injury or illness.

Of course, most people know that physical therapy is essential for those who may have suffered hip fractures, broken arms, rotator cuff issues and elective surgeries such as laminectomies, or hip or knee replacements. But what a lot of them don’t realize is that Whitehall’s physical therapists are trained and certified to also work with people who have conditions that aren’t necessarily orthopedic in nature. Indeed, physical therapy is a key component for sufferers of severe arthritis, cardiopulmonary problems, and neurological illnesses such as a stroke or dementia. In short, if the body has been compromised in almost any way, physical therapy is generally the first line of defense in recuperation.

Naturally, the specific kind of physical therapy used and the length of time for recovery is dependent on the patient’s condition, age, and even other medical problems that may be unrelated but could impact improvement. On average, however, the stay for most patients at Whitehall is about 20 days. But we also offer outpatient services for those who wish continued help by a trained specialist.

How Our Therapists Help in Recovery

Whitehall Boca has 15 full-time and up to five per diem physical therapy professionals. They’re all required by law to be fully trained and licensed. They’re the experts who, in partnership with other health care professionals, assess and diagnose patients, then develop an individualized management plan for their recovery. They might also use a physical therapy assistant acting under their direction to work with patients.

Our therapists use carefully designed exercise programs and equipment to help patients regain balance, improve range of motion, flexibility and strength, increase endurance, reduce pain, and more. Some of the equipment commonly used includes parallel bars to help with walking, pedal exercisers to strengthen leg muscles, non-slip balancing balls, ankle weights and recumbent bicycles.

A physical therapist’s approach is both educational and hands-on. Mild soreness or swelling is normal after therapy sessions, but should not be overly pronounced. To ensure that discomfort is minimized, therapists typically develop their programs so that patients begin slowly, learn and adapt to the therapy, and then progress as they get stronger and develop confidence.

Quite often, patients will work with other types of therapists as well. For instance, they may work with licensed therapists who specialize in occupational or pulmonary rehabilitation as part of their overall recovery. They might also work with therapists trained to help in cardiac rehabilitation. That, of course, depends on the nature of the problem that brought them to a facility for treatment to begin with.

The best way to see what physical therapy is all about is to visit Whitehall Boca and watch them at work. Talk to them. Talk to patients receiving therapy. We’re alway happy to answer your questions.

Whitehall Boca Raton, 7300 Del Prado South, Boca Raton, FL 33433
Phone: (561) 392-3000; Fax: (561) 392-6031