Summer is quickly approaching, and that glorious warm weather will be here before you know it. Working in travel physical therapy, you'll see more athlete patients who participate in summer sports over the next few months. All the changes that come along with this seasonal shift mean you'll have to adjust your technique for treating patients as well as the advice you give them. Keep these bits of information in mind:
Remind your patients to ease back into exercise
For patients who enjoy summer sports like baseball, softball, swimming and track, they may have gone through a long, inactive winter. If they only don a jersey during the summer months, those in physical therapy jobs must make sure these patients understand the importance of working their way into fitness at an appropriate pace. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.
Easing back into exercise is more effective if the patient starts managing his or her fitness level before the sport's season begins. For instance, a track team member who hasn't run since last sports season could easily develop plantar fasciitis from running with tight muscles. However, running a few miles may be unavoidable by the time practice starts. Doing light cardio, perhaps walking at first then moving into more strenuous exercises, and stretching for several weeks prior prepares the individual to complete the coach's conditioning demands safely.
Use the pool as a tool
Even if your workplace doesn't have hydrotherapy equipment, you can still suggest your patients perform aquatic exercises in their free time. After all, 10.4 million U.S. homeowners have pools, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which means many of your patients may enjoy taking a dip to stay cool during summer.
Water workouts are great for anyone who needs to get their body moving, as this form of exercise allows for anything from strength building to cardio. However, aquatic therapy is especially advantageous for people with arthritis, as pools allow for a low-impact way to work out. Since you won't be with patients in their homes to facilitate the exercises, be sure to provide specific directions on how to get the most out of this activity in a safe manner.
Promote summer health and safety
Many of your patients may opt to exercise outdoors so they can enjoy summer's beautiful weather. Offer information on safe workout practices to all of your patients so they can avoid heat-related ailments like exhaustion, cramps or stroke.
The Mayo Clinic advised people who exercise outside during the warmer months allow themselves time to adjust to a temperature shift. Tell your patients to check the weather before heading outdoors and to consider staying inside on especially hot days. Additionally, remind them not to overexert themselves, head to shady areas when possible and always wear sunscreen. Finally – and perhaps most importantly – stay hydrated. If your patients are already thirsty by the time they sip their water, they've waited too long. Encourage them to drink before, during and after each workout.
No precautionary measure is foolproof, so it's important your patients recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses. If they experience any of these symptoms outlined by the Mayo Clinic, they need to get to a cool place and drink water:
- Dizziness.
- Weakness.
- Fatigue.
- Vision problems.
- Nauseous.
This is especially crucial for athletes who may be tempted to "play through the pain."
Admittedly, this is a lot of information, but gaining this knowledge is key to staying safe, happy and healthy. To ensure your patients have the necessary tools to keep their well-being in check, consider providing pamphlets with summer-related safety tips that includes the above details. This way, you won't risk having patients forget this information as soon as they walk out the door.
As someone working in travel physical therapy, you may be exposed to an unfamiliar climate if you take an assignment in a new state. Be sure to acquaint yourself with the area's usual weather so you can adjust your advice.
This therapy sound quite peaceful. I think, my patients try to escape from exercises. Even thought, I try to describe them all advantages from this procedure, but I don’t see any difference. Maybe after reading that, I start include safety сonditions and other abilities. Thanks for explanation.