VOA健康报道2025 物理治疗师如何预防未来的健康问题

（单词翻译）

物理治疗师如何预防未来的健康问题

How Physical Therapists Can Prevent Future Health Problems

However, medical experts say these specialists can also help prevent many health problems if they are seen on a regular basis.

然而，医学专家表示，如果定期就诊，这些专科医师也可以帮助预防许多健康问题。

One leader in the industry, Sharon Dunn, even calls physical therapists "the best-kept secret in health care".

该行业的一位领军人物朗·邓恩甚至称物理治疗师是“医疗保健领域保守得最好的秘密”。

Dunn is the past president of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

邓恩是美国物理治疗协会（APTA）的前任主席。

She recently told The Associated Press she thinks people need to look at physical therapists in a new way

她最近告诉美联社，她认为人们需要以一种新的方式看待物理治疗师

-- as health practitioners¹ who can help identify possible medical issues before they appear.

——作为健康从业者，物理治疗师可以在可能的医疗问题出现之前帮助识别出它们。

Other health experts share this opinion.

其他健康专家也同意这一观点。

They include Roger Herr, the current president of the APTA, and Gammon Earhart of Washington University in St.Louis.

其中包括APTA现任主席罗杰·赫尔和圣路易斯华盛顿大学的加蒙·埃尔哈特。

They both shared Dunn's prevention message in separate discussions with the AP.

他们在与美联社的分开讨论中分享了邓恩的预防信息。

Earhart urges people to think about physical therapists just as they do dentists.

埃尔哈特敦促人们像看待牙医一样看待物理治疗师。

"Even if you're not having any problem, you go in and have everything checked out."

“即使你没有任何问题，你也要进去检查一切。”

She noted² that such examinations could help find and deal with problems early.

她指出，这类检查可以帮助及早发现和解决问题。

For example, an exam could include a patient's health history and current health -- things like physical activity, sleep, nutrition, and so on.

例如，一次检查可能包括患者的健康史和当前健康状况——如身体活动、睡眠、营养等。

This could be followed by a look at how a person is moving.

随后可以观察一个人的走动方式。

Exams might uncover things like postural³ issues or unusual body movements.

检查可能会发现姿势问题或不寻常的身体动作等问题。

Herr is a big supporter of yearly wellness visits.

赫尔是“每年一次健康检查”的大力支持者。

He told the AP he believes physical therapists can be helpful for all kinds of people -- the young, athletes, or anyone who wants to be as "independent as possible".

他告诉美联社，他相信物理治疗师可以帮助各种各样的人——年轻人、运动员，或者任何想要“尽可能独立”的人。

In the United States, you can now visit a physical therapist in all 50 states without needing permission from a doctor or surgeon.

在美国，你现在可以在所有50个州找物理治疗师就诊，无需医生或外科医生的许可。

However, a yearly exam might not be covered by a person's health insurance.

然而，个人健康保险可能不覆盖年度检查。

This could prevent some from seeking out care.

这可能会阻碍一些人寻求护理。

Earhart estimated such a visit in areas across the U.S. Midwest might cost around $150.

埃尔哈特估计，在美国中西部地区进行一次这样的就诊可能需要150美元左右。

Herr suggested a cost of $200-$300 in more costly⁴ areas.

赫尔表示，在成本较高的地区，这一费用为200美元到300美元。

But both experts said that in the long run, such exams might save money and can add healthy years.

但两位专家都表示，从长远来看，这样的检查可能会省钱，并能延长健康寿命。

"I think if people understood more that the way they move might be setting them up for a problem down the line,

“我认为，如果人们更多地了解到自己的走动方式可能会在未来的某个时间点给自己带来问题，

they'd be much more inclined⁵ to see a physical therapist," Earhart said.

他们就会更倾向于去看物理治疗师，”埃尔哈特说。

Another area where physical therapists can help is with fall prevention.

物理治疗师可以提供帮助的另一个领域是跌倒预防。

Falling -- and the fear of falling -- can be major issues, especially for the aging population.

跌倒——以及对跌倒的恐惧——可能是一个大问题，尤其是对老龄化人口而言。

"You want to show people they can get back up if they fall," Herr said.

“你想向人们表明，如果他们跌倒了，他们还可以重新站起来，”赫尔说。

"And once they know they can do it, it gives them confidence and it can help reduce the fear of falling."

“一旦他们知道自己可以重新站起来，这就会给他们信心，并帮助减少对跌倒的恐惧。”

He added, "One of the risks of falling is that people don't do anything, so you don't move and therefore you become more out of shape..."

他补充说：“摔倒的风险之一是人们什么也不做，所以你不活动，因此你变得更加不健康......”

Herr said one example could be to introduce exercises involving "floor to stand" movements.

赫尔说，一个例子可能是引入涉及“从躺到站”动作的锻炼。

These can help improve flexibility⁶, strength, balance, coordination⁷, and planning.

这些可以帮助提高灵活性、力量、平衡性、协调性和规划性。

"It sounds simple getting up from a lying position on the floor to stand," Herr said.

“从躺到站听起来很简单，”赫尔说。

"But it's a great exercise for all age groups."

“但对所有年龄段的人来说，这都是一项很好的锻炼。”

Earhart estimated about half of physical therapy patients seek help to deal with issues related to being overweight.

埃尔哈特估计，大约一半接受物理治疗的患者寻求帮助来解决与超重有关的问题。

"The more weight somebody is carrying the higher the loads are on their joints," she said.

“一个人承受的重量越大，其关节承受的负荷就越大，”她说。

Herr said he had watched extremely overweight patients successfully lose large amounts of weight.

赫尔说自己目睹过极度超重的患者成功减掉大量体重。

He noted that some of these individuals are motivated for a specific reason.

他指出，其中一些人的动机属于特定的原因。

But for others, it is not always that clear and easy.

但对其他人来说，动机并不总是那么清楚简单。

"I have seen people change based on a milestone⁸, like having a kid and they really want to be a good parent," Herr said.

赫尔说：“我见过一些人基于一个里程碑的事件而改变，比如有了孩子，他们真的想成为好父母。”

"They want to be a fit parent, and the same thing with a grandparent.

“他们想成为称职的父母，祖父母也是如此。

So that motivates people to engage because of a lifestyle change."

因此，这激励人们由于生活方式的改变而参与其中。”

I'm John Russell.

约翰·拉塞尔为您播报。

And I'm Jill Robbins.

吉尔·罗宾斯为您播报。