What kind of physical therapy is useful for PWPSP?
Physical therapy has helped in these ways: massage for back pains from compression fractures due to falls, arm exercises to strengthen muscles to assist in getting out of chairs, leg muscle strengthening exercises for same purpose, instruction in proper use of walker (which really doesn’t stop backward falls), getting PWPSP out of his/her chair and general limbering exercises. One important one is to sit sideways on the edge of the bed with one leg out in front on the bed and one leg on the floor. Then stretch out the leg on the bed as much as possible and bend forward to complete the stretch. The one leg on the floor is for balance. Switch legs after 10 repetitions. Also try hip rolls. Lie on bed, bring feet toward buttocks so knees are raised. Roll slowly from side to side, ten complete turns. Most stretching and other muscle toning exercises are helpful. Walking is also quite good if the PWPSP can still do it. If you have access to an indoor heated pool get a life jacket for the PWP
