Physical therapy is a way to remedy deficiencies in the body's capacity to function normally. They are employed in the rehabilitation of individuals recovering from illnesses and injuries that have impaired their physical capacity. In general, they are designed to restore strength, flexibility, mobility, balance and coordination. Therapeutic exercise is a long-established discipline and residents of Boston, MA will find there are many qualified therapists in their area.

Physical therapists can help patients recover from a range of impairments and can be found in many different environments. These include hospitals, out-patient clinics, fitness centers, research centers, schools, hospices and care homes. Many therapists specialize in a particular branch of physical therapy and practice exclusively in areas such as sports, pediatrics, geriatrics and orthopedics.

A physical therapist will begin a care program by examining their patient's medical history and assessing their current physical capabilities. They will also take into account information provided by scans and lab studies where appropriate. They will then design a care plan tailored to the individual needs of the patient. The goal, as much as possible, is to return the patient to a healthy, fully-functioning state.

Each exercise in the plan will be designed to isolate a particular body part, joint or muscle group. The therapist will instruct the patient on how to perform each exercise in order to get the most benefit from it. This is a process that may involve a certain amount of trial and error. The therapist will monitor the patient and assess how he or she responds to the prescribed exercises. Each exercise may be modified for intensity or duration, or substituted entirely depending on how the patient responds.

The essence of any program of exercise will be to improve flexibility, strength, coordination and balance or several of these attributes. Strength exercises are of particular importance for patients who have experienced muscle loss. Gains in strength are also important for restoring a patient's confidence, which often suffers when physical capacity is lost.

Injury and certain medical conditions can lead to impairments in balance and coordination. The elderly in particular are prone to these issues, which can make them vulnerable to falling. Balance and coordination exercises are ways to build up physical poise and thus avoid accidents and further injury. They are designed primarily to improve lower-body muscularity and also develop the body's balance and spatial perception capabilities.

Flexibility drills are aimed at restoring range of motion and suppleness. They also play an important role in preventing injury. These exercises come in many guises, but they all involve range of motion movements and stretching the muscles. Many of them also have the advantage of needing no equipment, and the positive effect they can have on a patient's sense of well-being.

This is an important point about movement and exercise in general. For those suffering from disease or injury, simply getting the body moving again be a tremendous boost for morale. This is important because a patient's overall mindset plays a critical role in how quickly and well they will recover. Numerous studies have shown that patients with a positive mindset respond better to therapy and bounce back that much quicker than those with a gloomier outlook.