Preventative Care
Kate Cayton – PT, DPT
When I first started practicing 10 years ago, I only ever thought about how I could help an individual fix their complaints. It wasn’t until about 2 years in that I began to wish preventative-based care was an option for almost everyone who walked through the doors. I remember telling my former PT advisor when I met up with her one year for coffee that I wished I could meet most of my patients about six months previously. Six months would have allowed me to not only prevent some of their injuries but also would have improved their overall wellness.
This is why the preventative-based care we provide for our clients is one of my favorite aspects of my day-to-day work at OSSPT. Not only do I get to meet individuals where they are, but I get to work with them directly on the tasks that can make the largest impact on their health.
Let’s break it down.
Most individuals spend about 1/3 of their life at work. This is 1/3 of your life doing the same repetitive tasks day in and day out. Whether that be sitting at a desk, repetitive lifting or driving a cement truck, all these repetitive tasks begin to really cause an impact not only on your current self but also your future self. So, what should you be doing now so your future self can thank you later:
- Daily stretches: Getting your body moving and your blood pumping will assist with injury prevention in the short and long term.
- Ergonomics: How you sit, stand or lift is important! Proper mechanics now lead to decreased injuries later.
- Exercise: It is recommended to participate in 150 minutes of moderate aerobic intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise and two days a week of strength training.
- Microbreaks: Think small breaks you take many times throughout the day. This allows you to get out of the positions you spend most of your workday in.
- Proper sleep and hydration: Don’t forget about the importance of your water intake and your daily sleeping habits. Prioritize these as they will play a huge role in your overall recovery!
These simple guidelines are what I teach my clients every day. I remind them that how they spend their 8+ hours at work plays a much bigger role than they think. The more aware they are of their body and its movements; the less likely injuries will follow them.
This is why prevention should be at the heart of PT. Prevention provides a wider reach than just treating the symptoms. Prevention gives our clients the tools they need to not only do their job right the first time but do it right every day following. This is the part of PT that is missed so much in clinic and what makes OSSPT so special. Prevention is at the heart of not only what we do but who we are. We strive to best serve our clients by giving them the individual resources they need for not only work-based wellness but overall preventative health.
We are growing fast and hiring and filling our bench. Whatever you need, we have it. Send an email @ tvreeman@onsitesolutionspt.com or check out our careers page https://onsitesolutionspt.com/about-us/careers/ to learn more.
