If you are experiencing ongoing pain that affects your ability to move around with ease, or your ability to perform everyday tasks without experiencing discomfort, your doctor may refer you to be treated by a physical therapist. Often, a person’s range of motion is limited due to an injury (such as from a motor vehicle accident), disability (possibly do to arthritis or the aging process) or a physically debilitating illness (e.g., fibromyalgia, symptoms from a stroke or Parkinson’s).

A physical therapist is a licensed health professional who works with patients who are experiencing problems relating to physical movement and normal bodily function. Limitations to movement can be caused by any number of reasons including age, existing health conditions, traumatic injury resulting from an accident or injuries incurred while playing sports.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a patient-centered therapy that aims to improve the health and well-being of an individual be able to conduct his or her “occupation.” In other words, this therapy is designed to assist the person needing help to get through his or her day-to-day activities. While many medical patients recovering from trauma or surgery are referred to occupational therapy providers by medical doctors, the main goal of occupational therapy is to help people achieve his or recovery or physical exertion goals to assist them in getting the most out of their lives.

What are natural remedies?

Natural remedies, sometimes known as home remedies, are treatments made from naturally-occurring plants and other natural sources that are targeted to prevent, treat or cure common illnesses and minor injuries. The efficacy of natural remedies for treating health problems is debatable, as many remain unproven scientifically. Some may be harmful to you. Many people opt to use natural remedies along with conventional medical treatment and believe in the ability of these natural remedies to heal the body and to enhance good health.

Many natural remedies have been passed down through the years by laypeople. Some have a basis in traditional or habitual use. However, some natural remedies have been put under scientific scrutiny and found to have recognizable medicinal properties, especially when it comes to treating ailments such as colds, fever, headaches, toothache, cuts and sprains.

Natural cures refers to a type of therapy involving the use of foods or products containing naturally-sourced ingredients that people buy, harvest or create for themselves. Generally, the purpose of using natural cures is to heal or mitigate symptoms of a wide range of health conditions. Please note that the term ‘natural cures’ can be misleading, inasmuch as many natural products are not able to cure health conditions.

With that said, many people resort to natural cures and natural remedies as a self-help alternative to recognized medical practices. Natural cures typically include a gentle or gradual form of treatment for a variety of ailments and illnesses. Natural cures, usually containing plant-based ingredients, are found in various cultures from around the world. Many natural cures have been passed down from generation to generation by laypeople, and many cultures have a history that describes natural medicine men and women - from the so-called witches of Western Europe who used herbal remedies to treat illnesses and injuries, to the Australian Aborigines who still practice natural medicine to this day.

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is the term used to describe any of the hands-on treatments where a trained therapist manipulates the muscles and soft tissues of the body, in order to ease pain, relieve muscle tension and improve the overall health and well-being of an individual.

While massage therapy focuses on the body as a whole, the main systems of the body being targeted for relief are the musculoskeletal, circulatory, nervous and lymphatic systems. Massage therapy is also a relaxing form of therapy that is beneficial for people who are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression, or for those who simply want to take time out to relax.

Massage therapy is practiced in a number of settings including private massage practices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, businesses, offices and sports venues.

What do marital counselors do?

Marital counselors are professional, licensed therapists that help people who experience difficulties within their intimate relationships. Marriage counseling, sometimes known as couples therapy or counseling, can help couples to resolve conflict, understand the other person better and improve the relationship in general. Marital counselors provide couples with the tools to communicate in more productive and positive ways, and show them how to negotiate their problems in a way that is healthy for the relationship.

Although the term may suggest that marital counselors only help people that are in legally recognized relationships, marital counselors work with people in all kinds of relationships - whether heterosexual or same-sex relationships or whether the couple is legally married, co-habiting or in a relationship where neither partner lives with the other. Sometimes marital counselors work with only one partner in the relationship if the other partner is unwilling, or unable, to attend the therapy sessions.