If you break an arm, suffer a stroke or have a speech disorder,
chances are your physician will refer you to a physical therapist.
In recognition of National Physical Therapy Month in October,
Fayette Community Hospital would like to recognize and honor
the hospital’s physical therapy department.
The practice of physical therapy dates back to ancient times,
but the modern profession developed in the wake of World War
I. Therapists were trained to work with wounded soldiers.ÊToday,
physical therapists practice in a variety of settings and provide
services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve
pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of
patients suffering from injuries or disease.
Beverly Blakely is one of Fayette Community Hospital’s
full-time physical therapists. She describes physical therapy
as a smorgasbord of rehabilitation.
“Physical therapists help patients who are experiencing
short- or long-term debilitation for many reasons,” Blakely
said.Ê “Our job is to help patients function as best they
can with their disorder.”
Physical therapists may help patients cope with any of the following
conditions:
• Lower back pain.
• Knee, ankle or foot problems.
• Neck pain.
• Stroke rehabilitation.
• Hip fractures.
• Sprains and muscle strains.
• Cardiac rehabilitation.
• Chronic respiratory problems.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Arthritis.
• Incontinence.
• Disabilities in newborns.
• Speech/language disorders.
• Accident victims.
• Cerebral palsy.
Liz Sargeant began therapy at Fayette Community Hospital in
February 2002 after undergoing hernia surgery. Initially, Liz
attributed her excruciating stomach pain to a temporary virus.
But after two weeks, the pain got worse, not better.ÊLiz went
to Fayette Community Hospital’s emergency room where doctors
diagnosed her with a double hernia. She immediately underwent
surgery to repair the hernia, which had ruptured, sending poisonous
fluids into her bloodstream.
Getting around was difficult for Liz post-surgery, and she became
extremely depressed. Liz’s doctors recommended physical
therapy to alleviate her pain, get her back on her feet and lift
her spirits.
“The therapists were just amazing,” Liz said.Ê“They
got me up and walking.ÊEach day they encouraged me to walk a
little bit further. I don’t think I would have healed as
well as I did or as fast if I had not had physical therapy.”
Liz credits several weeks of physical therapy, particularly
whirlpool rehabilitation, with easing post-surgical pain and
helping to get her moving again.ÊShe was so inspired by the physical
therapy experience that she now volunteers with the Hospital’s
Auxiliary.
“I wanted to go back to Fayette Community Hospital and
volunteer to give back in a small way what had been given to
me,” Liz said.
There are nearly 140,000 physical therapists in the United States,
according to the U.S. Department of Labor. About 4,200 physical
therapists are licensed to practice in Georgia.
For more information about Fayette Community Hospital’s
physical therapy services, call 770-719-7290. To learn more about
physical therapy at FCH, visit www.fayettehospital.org.
