Chapter 43 - Assisting with cold and heat therapy and ambulation. In this chapter you will learn: Explain how medical assistants might assist with some forms of physical therapy; describe ways to test joint mobility, muscle strength, gait, and posture; discuss the benefits of cold and heat therapies; list contraindications to cold and heat therapies;. | Chapter 43 PowerPoint® to accompany Second Edition Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Medical Assisting Chapter 43 Objectives: 43-1 Explain how medical assistants might assist with some forms of physical therapy. 43-2 Describe ways to test joint mobility, muscle strength, gait, and posture. 43-3 Discuss the benefits of cold and heat therapies. 43-4 List contraindications to cold and heat therapies. 43-5 Identify various cold and heat therapies. 43-6 Demonstrate how to perform cold and heat therapies. Assisting with Cold and Heat Therapy and Ambulation Objectives (cont.) 43-7 Describe hydrotherapy methods. 43-8 Identify several methods of exercise therapy. 43-9 Compare different methods of traction. 43-10 Demonstrate how to teach a patient to use a cane, a walker, crutches, and a wheelchair. Assisting with Cold and Heat Therapy and Ambulation Introduction Applying cold | Chapter 43 PowerPoint® to accompany Second Edition Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Medical Assisting Chapter 43 Objectives: 43-1 Explain how medical assistants might assist with some forms of physical therapy. 43-2 Describe ways to test joint mobility, muscle strength, gait, and posture. 43-3 Discuss the benefits of cold and heat therapies. 43-4 List contraindications to cold and heat therapies. 43-5 Identify various cold and heat therapies. 43-6 Demonstrate how to perform cold and heat therapies. Assisting with Cold and Heat Therapy and Ambulation Objectives (cont.) 43-7 Describe hydrotherapy methods. 43-8 Identify several methods of exercise therapy. 43-9 Compare different methods of traction. 43-10 Demonstrate how to teach a patient to use a cane, a walker, crutches, and a wheelchair. Assisting with Cold and Heat Therapy and Ambulation Introduction Applying cold and heat therapy and assisting patients with ambulation are common duties of a medical assistant. You may also assist: Applying cold and heat Teaching basic exercises Demonstrating the use of cane, walker, and crutches Demonstrating how to use a wheelchair and discussing specific therapies with the patient for use at home are also duties that you may be asked to perform. General Principles of Physical Therapy Physical therapy is a medical specialty for treatment of musculoskeletal, nervous, and cardiopulmonary disorders. Assisting with a Therapeutic Team Therapeutic team Physicians Nurses Medical assistants Other specialists Coordinate schedules Making referrals Explaining treatment approach Documenting treatments You must have a working knowledge of therapy techniques. Assisting with Patient Assessment Joint mobility testing – range of motion (degree to which a joint is able to move) using a goniometer Muscle strength testing – determine the amount of force the patient .
