Natio
nal Rehabilitation Awareness Week is always the third week in September, and aims focus on the importance of rehabilitation. Pain affects everyone in different ways. In some cases, pain can lead to decreased activity levels, as well as anxiety, depression, and disability. Physical therapists work together with patients to lessen their pain, and restore their activity to the highest possible levels through rehabilitation. The mission of the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation (NRAF) is to educate people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation is a medical specialty which helps restore people affected by potentially disabling disease or traumatic injury to good and functional health. Rehabilitation often centers on an interdisciplinary team approach to care by utilizing physical, occupational, respiratory and recreational therapists; speech and language pathologists; rehabilitation nurses, psychologists, vocational counselors and other professionals who work with patients to restore the greatest level of function or independence. The rehab team helps individuals overcome obstacles, and accomplish normal tasks of daily living. Rehabilitation is an integral part of healthcare and a tremendous component in providing patients with positive outcomes, it is individualized so every patient can progress at his or her own ability level.
People participating in rehabilitation programs are able to regain productivity and return to work, school and independent living. Depending on your condition, you may need a Physical Therapist to help you develop an appropriate exercise program. But don’t let pain get the better of you, and control your life. Independence gained or retained through rehabilitation is priceless and can lengthen life, improve the quality of life and reduce subsequent illness. There is no universal measurement for pain tolerance, or knowing whether you have a high or low tolerance for pain. Science has yet to determine whether we all experience pain in the same way. So rather than live with pain, take a step toward recovery and MOBILIZE your life.
