Deconditioning Physical Therapy Charleston, SC

+ What is Deconditioning?

Deconditioning refers to several changes that happen to your body when you are not physically active. You begin feeling tired due to changes in your muscles, lungs, and heart. The result of these changes is more inactivity and worsening of how you feel. You can experience deconditioning in three stages:

• Mild deconditioning can keep you from regular exercises such as jogging or biking

• Moderate deconditioning affects everyday activities such as performing chores, shopping, and walking

• Severe deconditioning can alter normal self-care activities

+ Causes of Deconditioning

Deconditioning can begin after a few days and worsens the longer you remain inactive. As your deconditioning worsens, you prolong the amount of time it takes to recover and restore your previous level of conditioning. There are several possible causes of deconditioning, including:

• Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and depression

• Medications such as some statins, antibiotics, and pain medications

• Illnesses such as bladder infections, viral infections, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome

• Hospitalization

• Pregnancy

• Mental or emotional issues

+ Risk Factors for Deconditioning

Your risk of deconditioning can increase due to:

• Being overweight or obese

• Eating an unhealthy diet

• Aging

• Being on bed rest

• Injury

+ Symptoms of Deconditioning

Depending on the severity of deconditioning, you can experience symptoms, such as:

• Loss of muscle mass and tone

• Diminished endurance

• More frequent falls

• Rapid heart rate

• Back pain

• Higher susceptibility to bone fractures

• More lethargy

• Poor sleep

• High blood pressure

+ Diagnosis of Deconditioning

You might receive a physical exam and answer questions regarding your health status, symptoms, and ability to move in order to diagnose deconditioning. Several tests might also be used to evaluate your:

• Muscular strength

• Balance

• Flexibility

• Mobility

• Posture

• Risk of falling

+ Prevention of Deconditioning

To avoid deconditioning, you should:

• Use a variety of physical activities

• Stay as active as possible when you are ill or injured

• Use bed rest only when necessary

• Treat constant pain as quickly as possible

• Consult your health care provider about avoiding medications with side effects that promote deconditioning

+ How Can Occupational Therapy Help With Deconditioning?

Severe deconditioning can affect your independence and make many daily activities more challenging. Our experienced occupational therapists can help you make changes to your environment and improve the physical and mental limitations that prevent you from performing tasks such as driving, bathing, caring for your pet, and engaging in leisure activities. We use numerous treatments, equipment, and the latest technologies to enhance your daily life.

+ How Can Physical Therapy Help With Deconditioning?

Our trained physical therapists can help you restore your strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility with several treatments such as:

• Strength training

• Balance training

• Flexibility exercises

• Therapeutic exercises and activities