How does physical therapy help muscle wasting?

What role does physical therapy have in the condition of wasting where you lose body mass from the loss of tissue, muslce fat, etc? Why must people who have wasting syndrome go through physical therapy? Any information would be appreciated?

To be a bit more precise, physical therapy addresses the funcitonal limitations that occur as a result of muscle wasting. Specifically, if you have the problem that you cannot stand up without the use of your arms, it is the job the the physical therapist to:
A: Identify the level of impairment and quantify it objectively
B: Determine which muscles are contributing to the deficiency (or loss of coordination, or spasticity, etc.)
C: Develop a treatment plan to address that deficit
D: Implement that treatment program
E: Reassess at a later time to see if correcting the impairment has lead to an increase in function.

In this case, a program of progressive resistive exercise is probably indicated. This increases the amount of connective tissue that allows for proper functioning of the muscle at the cellular level. It may also result in "neuralization" or increasing the amount of nerve branches to allow the brain to more effectively communicate with the muscle. The goal, of PT, however is independence. If what you need to do can be done safely by yourself or in the gym setting (ie, if you have no FUNCTIONAL deficits) the PT can instruct you on which exercises to do or refer you to a personal trainer.

In conclusion, the PT addresses the functional impairments that accompany the condition. It is also the job of the PT to determine when it is appropriate to progress your program. It is not the job of the physical therapist to "watch you exercise" in a routine that can be done in the home or with a personal trainer. That would be a waste of your money!!

thank you for your answer...it is very helpful but i have another question because i dont fully understand. What happens to your muscles or lean tissue in wasting? Does it just go away? and how does HIV affect wasting? Report It

Physical therapy helps strengthen the muscles by putting them to use and training them.

Muscle wasting or "atrophy" is the wasting of muscle due to disuse. Physical therapy helps to build muscle by helping you learn to use your muscles correctly.

physical therapy is basically a form of advanced working out. (sorry PTs) Joint and muscle specific exercises taught to you by a professional that knows what he is doing, is better than you could do on your own. I know it probably sucks, but it is the best physical thing you could do for your muscle atrophy.