Physical therapists work in a number of different settings. Physical therapy in Chicago can be done in the home of the patient, but you can also find therapists in schools, hospitals and outpatient clinics.
The physical therapists that care for clients in a hospital setting are called acute care physical therapists. They are primarily concerned with functional mobility while the patient is in the hospital and help their patients improve their mobility. Some physical therapists specialize within the confines of the hospital. There are those who only deal with patients with coronary issues while others may dedicate themselves to working with cancer patients, others yet work with children or in the ICU.
The primary job of the acute care therapist:
The acute care therapist works in a hospital. If you have been hospitalized then you are aware of how difficult it can be to function and move normally as you are normally confined to bed in a very small room. In many cases you are hooked up to an intravenous drip to administer medications or you may be using supplemental oxygen. With all the tubes and apparatus coming from your body, moving around normally is out of the question.
When you fail to move normally, it does not take very long for your body to begin losing strength and your mobility becomes difficult. Physical therapy in Chicago ensures that you are ready to return to your normal functioning when you are ready to be discharged from the hospital.
Functional mobility while hospitalized:
Bed mobility: This refers to our ability to move around while in bed; can you roll from side to side, can you scoot sideways or up and down while in bed, can you sit up from a prone position? These are the situations that you are faced with and if you cannot perform these functions the acute care therapist will give you an exercise routine which will improve your abilities.
Transfers: This refers to your ability to move from one position to another. If, for example you are sitting at the edge of the bed, can you stand or if you’re sitting on the bed and you want to move to a chair, can you do it?
Ambulation: This refers to your ability to walk. Physical therapy in Chicago may include a quad cane or walker. If you have difficulty walking due to muscle loss, the therapist will give you a series of leg strengthening exercise to perform.
Progressive Chiropractic Wellness Center believes that physical therapy in Chicago should be done in such a way that the patient becomes as self-reliant as possible as quickly as possible.
