Cystic fibrosis is a painful and potentially fatal hereditary disease with no known cure. Thankfully, there are some options available to patients to help reduce and manage symptoms from the disease. In this physical therapy education article, we’re going to discuss how physical therapy can help treat cystic fibrosis.
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is an often-fatal disease that impacts the digestive system and the lungs. In patients with cystic fibrosis, the body produces thick mucus that can clog up the pancreas and lungs. Here are some of the common symptoms of cystic fibrosis:
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Chronic coughing
- Skin that tastes salty
- Nasal polyps
There are no known cures for cystic fibrosis. However, there are treatment options available to manage symptoms.
Diagnosis & Treatment
When you’re looking to treat any condition, the most important first step is to accurately identify and diagnose the underlying condition. Diagnosis can be reached by way of a physical examination, coupled with diagnostic tests as needed. Once you have a solid diagnosis, you can begin to strategize treatment options, which may include various medications, lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking), and physical therapy.
Minneapolis Physical Therapy Clinics
The physical therapists at OrthoRehab Specialists have been helping patients throughout the Twin Cities for nearly thirty years. Our clinics offer direct access to physical therapy care to patients in Minnesota. What does that mean? It means you can set up an appointment with us even if you don’t have a referral. That said, we also have standing relationships with more than 600 local providers who regularly refer their patients to us when continued rehabilitation care is needed. Contact us today to set up your appointment at one of our Twin Cities physical therapy clinics (located in Edina and Minneapolis).