By Castleview Physical Therapist Matthew Holt, DPT, OCS
I have a wise father. He has always given me good advice as well as helped me to understand many truths. I really cannot express sufficiently the blessing it is to be his son. We were talking one day about my work, and I was enthusiastically telling him about what I was doing and the program I was trying to start. After listening he, he gave me gave me some seasoned perspective. It went something like, “Most people know what they should do, they just don’t do it.”
I have a car. It has been great. In fact, we brought home our first born son in it (who is now a teenager). In its many years of service, it has worked nearly flawlessly. It also has been greatly abused and neglected. There was a time our dip stick to measure our oil had been lost, and the changing of our oil went a little (a whole lot) longer than it should have. Regular tune ups were not so regular, and the car eventually became what it is today. It will get you around town, but road trips are a thing of the past.
Having said all this, keep it in mind as I explain the topic in which I am writing, and the program that has been started. Castleview Hospital Physical Therapy, specifically at the Urgent Care, has started a wellness and prevention program. The program offers individuals the ability to be evaluated and treated by a physical therapist trained to identify and correct movement and mechanical deficits that may or may not be painful.
As stated, wellness and prevention imply that there may not be a “problem.” Similar to my car story, our bodies may do whatever we want them to do for quite some time. However, I have also heard a saying that is something like this: If you don’t take time to take care of yourself, you will eventually spend time trying recover. We are busy and we have limited time, money and other resources that lead to us sometimes neglecting things that should not be forgotten. Our bodies are one thing that will last our entire life; we really ought to care for them.
The program will consist of evaluation, necessary treatment and personalized exercise programs to meet individual needs. Most of us know we should take care of our bodies, but knowing how can sometimes be a mystery. Professional direction can put us on a path that will help us get to and maintain where we want to be. I would also say that even if you are doing well, you likely can be better. This is why a specific evaluation can point out things that need to be addressed before they become a problem, especially if you are active. No matter what your current condition/ability may be (i.e. professional ball player, recreational all-star or barely able to cheer on from the seats) chances are you have some limitations somewhere that can be improved. A specific “tune-up” can truly help you move, function and feel better. Your future self will thank you.