DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
[ HAWAII AT WORK ]
Therapist
teaches
attitudeMarylou Alvarez makes
a mind-body connectionI am a physical therapist at Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, which brings together modern medicine and traditional healing arts.
The joy and satisfaction that I get in knowing that I can help people get back to a normal routine after an injury or medical problem is why I have been a physical therapist since 1978. I've always considered myself a people person and I needed a job that would allow me to work with people on a one-to-one basis. As a physical therapist, I can assist people in evaluating their physical needs and assist them in developing a program to reach their goals and maximize performance.
One of the most important things that I cannot stress enough is education.
Education is the key to wellness and I believe the most important part of my job is to educate my patients on how to get better and what to do to get better. There is no such thing as a magic pill to make all your problems will disappear. It's going to take a lot of effort to get better and it's my job to show my patients the right way of doing things and to empower them to be active participants in their recovery process.
When I first see a patient, I analyze their situation to see how best I can help them. If they feel weak and are constantly in pain I teach them that one's body is like a machine that if it is not running for awhile or used improperly will freeze and tighten up. Mobility is the key in loosening up joints and strengthening muscles. I then try to teach them what is good physical exercise versus bad exercise.
Sometimes patients feel hopeless, like their problems will never go away. I'm their cheerleader. I cheer them on one step at a time and root for them after overcoming every hurdle. A healthy mind will lead to a healthy body, so a positive attitude is a big part of physical therapy.
Seeing people feeling better is how I judge success. It's a beautiful thing when I start to notice improvements in my patient's outlook on life and see the strides that they are taking in improving their health.
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