Accelerated Recognizes Physical Therapy Month with Special Focus on Baby Boomers

CHICAGO, Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Happy Physical Therapy Month from Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers—the largest physical therapist owned and managed practice in the U.S. Accelerated embraces this unique opportunity to stress the importance of physical therapists, as well as their vital role in restoring and improving motion, and helping patients remain active, fit, and mobile.

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In conjunction with National Physical Therapy Month, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) will launch an extensive outreach initiative to the nation's Baby Boomers—Fit After 50. The purpose of the campaign is to reach Baby Boomers—one of the largest and most powerful generations in the U.S. at 78 million—with the message that physical therapists can help people age 50 and over.

Accelerated offers a wide range of programs and specialized services to help patients of all ages—including Baby Boomers—restore and maintain their physical strength, performance skills, and levels of function. Our highly skilled, enthusiastic professional staff of 90 licensed, certified athletic trainers, as well as more than 900 physical and occupational therapists and other rehabilitation specialists, possess first-hand knowledge and experience necessary to help patients achieve their goals of maintaining fitness, avoiding injury, and staying healthy.

Accelerated recently adopted the use of Nintendo's Wii® video game system in physical and occupational therapy. The versatility of the system is especially appealing to Baby Boomers, helping to make their injury prevention and rehabilitation a more dynamic and enjoyable process. In addition, the technology can help patients stay fit at 50 and beyond by helping improve mobility and motion.

Considered a progressive technology, Wii provides visual, auditory, and haptic feedback that is helpful when rehabilitating the dysfunctional movement pattern. Patients use the Wii's unique, motion-sensitive controller to drive the game's activity on the television screen. Many Wii games require body movements similar to traditional therapy exercises. For patients, this means improving musculoskeletal strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, and coordination.  But unlike traditional therapy, patients engaged in the Wii games often forget about the tediousness of the physical task, and are able to rehabilitate in an innovative and fun way.

It's important to note, though, that while Wii certainly complements physical therapy, it does not replace traditional standard of care rehabilitation techniques.

"Accelerated recognizes that staying fit after 50 is challenging, even for the most determined Baby Boomers," said Eric Warner, PT, MS, Accelerated CEO. "So by 'keeping it interesting' and adding the dynamic functionality of the Wii system, our patients remain motivated and excited, and often enjoy an improved outcome as well."

In addition to Wii Interactive Technology, Accelerated offers specialty programs and treatment techniques such as Aquatic Therapy, Hand Therapy, Lymphedema Management, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Active Release Technique, Graston Technique, ASTYM, Manual Therapy, and Dartfish ProSuite Interactive Technology.

About Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers

Chicago-based Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers is a premier provider of a wide array of comprehensive patient services and specialized rehabilitation programs. Since 1989, Accelerated has grown to over 230 outpatient rehabilitation centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin and Arizona, becoming the top choice for many professional athletes, large employers, and busy professionals.For more information about Accelerated, call 877-97-REHAB, or visit www.acceleratedrehab.com.

Contact: Kim Rosenlund, Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, 708-539-9446

SOURCE Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers