Oh Well!
HEALTHCARE
Rehab Gets Rehab
Physical therapy has always been a method for recovering from injury. But what if it was even more effective for preventing injury? One glance at anything from 2020 will remind us that we spent much of the past year at home. Most of us experienced a little stir-craziness. But for those with preexisting ailments, the lack of activity has left them weaker than ever before. Our bodies are made to move. And when they don’t or can’t, it is life-altering. Anyone whose feet have been too swollen for their shoes, or who has passed up on that stroll downtown because they were worried their legs would give out, understands how limiting it can be. It doesn’t have to be that way. Many people with physical ailments
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The Local
WI N TE R G AR DE N
or chronic pain grow accustomed to them, believing it’s just a normal part of aging. And they often believe that healing is only available to them after they’ve been seriously injured. The reality is, physical therapy can be a valuable tool for anyone whose illness or pain is keeping them from being a part of their own lives. Hydrotherapy, for example, has helped many people regain the strength to prevent a fall or serious injury. From treating the specific characteristics of Parkinson’s disease and lymphedema to simply restoring mobility and confidence, hydrotherapy provides compression,
buoyancy, and gentle resistance to reduce swelling and build strength in a low-impact, accessible way. I believe in this treatment so strongly that I made sure we will have our own hydrotherapy tank—the only one in our local area. Yes, physical therapy is great for post-injury healing. But more than that, it is there to prevent hospitalization and to help those who are hurting to get their life back. Jeremiah Bradford, PT, DPT, CLT The owner and
physical therapist at Unified Rehabilitation. Raised in Michigan, Jeremiah has dedicated his life to helping senior adults reclaim their health and is bringing new ideas to our community. More at unifiedrehabilitation.com
