Final answer:
Muscle weakness, movement difficulties, and balance issues are signs that may indicate the need for physical therapy, aimed to improve muscle function through targeted exercise programs. Physiotherapists assess and enhance patient capabilities to reduce functional impairments, distinguishing between musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms mentioned such as muscle weakness, difficulty moving, problems with coordination, and difficulty maintaining balance are indicative of musculoskeletal issues, which can be risk factors for falls. Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals who work with patients experiencing these symptoms to maintain muscle strength and function. They design exercise programs that target atrophied muscles due to causes like mechanical injury, disease, or aging. For example, patients who have had a stroke or suffer from age-related muscle loss may particularly benefit from physical therapy to restore muscle function and reduce functional impairment. The skeletal muscle pump is also significant in patients with symptoms like swollen feet and ankles, fatigue, and shortness of breath, as this mechanism helps in the venous return of blood back to the heart, particularly in individuals who stand for extended periods.
Furthermore, physiotherapists create comprehensive programs that assess and monitor a patient's strength, balance, and endurance. They also provide guidance on the proper use of assistive equipment like crutches and instruct when patients are strong enough to function without them. Important distinctions are made between musculoskeletal disorders affecting the bones, muscles, and joints, and neuromuscular disorders, which also involve the nervous system impacting muscle control and coordination.