Physical Therapy Exercises – Natural Therapy for Conventional Medicine

Physical therapy is one of the most widely accepted forms of natural treatment used by mainstream medical professionals today.It utilizes non-invasive techniques such as exercise, heat, ice and massage;and has become its own specialty, earning its place in modern medicine.

Beginnings

Physical therapy has existed in some shape or form for thousands of years. One might consider yoga the physical therapy of Ayurveda, or Tai Chi the physical therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each has its therapeutic value and place in their respective forms of health and wellness.

Formal physical therapy as we know it today has its roots in exercise.

Hippocrates and other early doctors used exercises, massage and other manual therapies.

Neck exercise

Just about anyone can benefit from this simple neck stretch once or twice a day. Stand with your back against a flat wall. Keep your arms and hands relaxed at your sides. Drop your chin down slightly and press the back of the neck into the wall. Hold for up to one minute. Relax, and then repeat 1 to 2 more times. This exercise helps toelongate the muscles in the back of the neck, relieve tension and improve posture.

Low back exercise

Come down onto floor, face down. Bend your elbows and place them on the floor under your shoulders. Use your forearms for support. Extend your legs one at a time behind you. Raise the legs and body off the floor, resting only on your toes and forearms. Look down at the floor and keep your spine in a straight line.

Hold this plank position for up to one minute. Rest and repeat 1 or 2 more times. This exercise helps strengthen your core muscles, especially the abdominal muscles, to support your lower back.

Shoulder stretch

For tight, sore shoulders, try this simple stretch. Find a standard-sized open doorway. Step just inside the door and place your hands on the door frame, about shoulder height, palms down, fingers pointing forward. Step through the doorway, keep the hands on the frame, elbows up and pressing backwards. You will feel a stretch across the chest and front of the shoulders.

Hold for up to one minute. Rest, then repeat 1 or 2 more times. This helps to stretch the shoulder muscles and joints, relieving tension in the shoulders and upper back.

Knee exercise

To help relieve knee pain, try this exercise using a large-diameter PVC pipe. Wrap the pipe in a towel for comfort and lie on the floor on your side. Place the pipe under the knee. Using your elbows and forearms to support your upper body, begin to gently roll your body back and forth on the pipe.

There may be a little discomfort at first, but this should ease as the knee joint loosens up. Try this for 30 seconds to one minute, then repeat on the opposite side.

Caveats

Not all physical therapists are equal. Some health care professionals may offer exercise treatment plans that are similar to physical therapy. These are not necessarily physical therapies. Be sure and ask for credentials. A licensed physical therapist will have completed a Masters, and possibly a Doctorate degree program in physical therapy.

They use the designation, PT and are licensed in their profession. Beware of practitioners who practice without a license. Many exercises, if not done properly, can cause serious injury. Talk to your medical doctor if interested in a physical therapy program.