It doesn’t matter your age – when you take a tumble, the soreness experienced afterward can be quite uncomfortable. Depending on the severity of the fall and the injuries associated with it, physical therapy may be required to help as the healing process unfolds.
That’s exactly what happened when a high-profile figure recently fell; his fall – and his recovery – made headlines across the country.
How Physical Therapy Helped Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell
It was on Saturday, March 25, 2023 when McConnell announced that he was released from the physical therapy rehab facility where he was being treated for a concussion.
Fox News shared his statement, which read in part, “I want to sincerely thank everyone for all the kind wishes. I’m happy to say I finished inpatient physical therapy earlier today and I’m glad to be home,” McConnell said in a statement.
“I’m going to follow the advice of my physical therapists and spend the next few days working for Kentuckians and the Republican Conference from home,” the statement added. “I’m in frequent touch with my Senate colleagues and my staff. I look forward to returning in person to the Senate soon.”
McConnell fell at a private dinner and sustained fractured ribs and a concussion, which is considered a traumatic brain injury. Depending on the severity of the latter, a customized treatment plan will increase the likelihood of a full recovery as efficiently as possible. For McConnell, the recovery process up until he was released took 2-3 weeks. And from that point, the physical therapy will likely continue either in his home or at a physical therapy office.
How Does Physical Therapy Help People Heal from Falls?
Outside of the customized concussion treatments we create for our clients here at Physical Therapy Now, there are a number of other treatments for falls that we use to support our clients. Which treatments they receive, as you can imagine, are dependent on their specific injuries.
Because a fall can lead to stiffness and soreness, the patient may want to avoid movement as much as possible and focus instead on rest. Years ago, we would have agreed, but more recent studies have shown that movement is one of the best ways to promote healing, so long as it’s done under the guidance of a physical therapist and/or medical doctor. Keeping the joints and muscles in motion can help with flexibility, pain reduction, decreased stiffness, plus increased strength and mobility, and better range of motion.
Physical Therapy for Falls In Irving and Surrounding Areas
Have you or a loved one experienced a fall and are looking for physical therapy to support the healing process? Your team of experienced physical therapists and stellar physical therapy assistants are ready to help. Call us at Physical Therapy NOW at (214) 225-0291.
