The Annual Physiotherapy Exam
“When was your last physical?”is a common question we may hear as soon as we mention any type of pain or ache to a friend, co-worker or an actual health care professional.
Annual physicals are very much part of our lives and has been for quite some time. We are used to seeing our family doctor periodically from an early age into our later years. Other examples of preventive measures like tooth cleanings, routine dental exams, chest X-rays, and colonoscopies starting in middle-age have proven to be effective ways to catch serious health trouble before it takes major toll on our bodies.
“When was the last time you saw a physiotherapist?”is a less likely question we might encounter. Interestingly, depending on our lifestyle, our previous injuries, type of work we perform daily, and our choice of sport; the above may be a more important question to ask.
At Pedal PT we are lucky! Our clients are often active, many commute by bike, and enjoy other recreational play. As lucky as we feel, we often find that we could have helped them quicker if we just started to work with them a couple weeks sooner.
That nagging low back tightness in the mornings won’t prompt most to seek medial attention unless the tightness becomes pain or start to cause the dreaded “sciatica”.
Many will be surprised to know that a few appropriately assigned movements can decrease low back tightness, and preventsymptoms into progressing to “sciatica” type sensations, and can normalize spine function.
No. This is not another blog about low back pain.Irritating joint ache following cycling, tennis, indoor soccer, running, ultimate Frisbee, rock climbing, performing a physical job (the list goes on) can likely be preventedwith a skilled physio wellness visit.
The idea of a Pedal PT annual wellness visit is health promotion versus intervention. And ‘pain’ is not a prerequisite to attend!
A client will spend 60 min with the physiotherapist who will focus on a general movement screen, moving towards specific segmental (multi-joint) movements, assess basic neuromuscular function such as balance, sensation, reflexes, and muscle strength. We would like to identify faulty or potentially painful movements, and catch any major neuromuscular dysfunction.
In English, if our current job or choice of physical activity tends to be repetitive, and we continue to perform movements in a manner that puts joints and muscle in a bad position, the chance of injury will remain moderate to high.
As a physical therapist, we can help to provide an objective eye to assess body parts, movement quality, and the actual equipment on/in/around which the actual movement takes place.
Remember, our health is not a commodity. It is an investment with potentially favorable or less desirable yields in the future.
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