News & Info

Choose to Move!

October is National Physical Therapy month, a great reminder that we all need to move our bodies every day to keep ourselves fit and healthy. Fitting movement into our days has been especially hard during the pandemic. Our colleagues at the American Physical Therapy Association offer this information about how we can all “choose to move.”

Most Americans do not move enough. The good news is that regular physical activity is one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of chronic disease and to improve your quality of life. Make physical activity a priority to:

• Improve your memory and brain function at any age.
• Protect against many chronic diseases.
• Aid in weight management.
• Lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
• Improve your quality of sleep.
• Reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
• Combat cancer-related fatigue.
• Improve joint pain and stiffness.
• Maintain muscle strength and balance.
• Increase life span.

How physical therapists can help

Physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. We treat people of all ages and abilities and empower you to take an active part in your care. After an evaluation, PTs create treatment plans for your specific needs and goals.

Tip: Work with your PT to understand your pain. PTs play a valuable role in the patient education process, including setting realistic expectations for recovery with or without opioids. This allows you to take a proactive approach to pain management.

Tip: Keep moving. An active lifestyle that is appropriate for your condition can help manage symptoms and decrease or eliminate pain. The body was built to move, and doing so regularly can help improve quality of life. We can prescribe exercise specific to your condition, needs and goals.

Tip: If you experience an injury or develop the onset of pain, seeing a PT early on can help address and manage your symptoms. Pain management is just one reason to work with a PT. We can also help you prevent future injury or chronic conditions. You do not need a physician’s referral to make an appointment with a PT for an evaluation. Call CPT today at (630) 766-0505 to learn how we can help!

Source: American Physical Therapy Association. Visit www.ChoosePT.com for more information.