The Power of an Upbeat Attitude Shines Through in Physical Therapy
How a person feels mentally and emotionally can make a big difference in the course of physical therapy. For Carl Hohman, the bond he’s formed with his rehabilitation team helps keep his spirits high.
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is an incurable disease of the brain and spinal cord that can cause permanent damage to the nerves. Yet for all of the detrimental effects MS can have, Carl Hohman of Genoa, Wisconsin, continues to keep a positive attitude as he faces this difficult disease.
First diagnosed with MS in 2001, Carl’s immune system began attacking the protective sheath, or myelin, covering his nerve fibers. That caused communication problems between his brain and the rest of his body. Since then, Carl has required a steady routine of physical therapy at Mayo Clinic Health System — Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, Wisconsin. For the past seven years, Anna Stoecklein, D.P.T., has been Carl’s physical therapist and is guiding the plan to help keep him active and moving.
Setting goals
“The
goals for Carl’s therapy have changed a lot throughout the years,” Stoecklein
says. “At first, it was to walk independently. Later, when he was weaker,
it was to be able to transfer to using a device to help with movement. Most
recently, we’re back to a goal of walking short distances at home with a
walker.”
Stoecklein
emphasizes that, as a therapist, her goal is to reflect Carl’s goals, and she
knows that he has been realistic about his limitations and disease. However,
she affirms that he also is optimistic and motivated to meet whatever goals he
sets for himself.
“Fortunately, I have a great group of people that I work with around here. Everybody in the place is very supportive.”
Carl Hohman
Dealing
with physical limits can be frustrating, especially for someone like Carl, who
in past years participated in a number of outdoor activities and lived an
adventurous life. Yet the bond he’s formed with Stoecklein and the
rehabilitation staff helps keep his spirits high.
“Fortunately,
I have a great group of people that I work with around here,” Carl
says. “Everybody in the place is very supportive.”
Thinking positively
Stoecklein
appreciates the attitude Carl brings to his therapy sessions that take place
multiple times each week.
“It’s
incredibly important for a patient undergoing any type of therapy to keep a
positive mindset,” Stoecklein says. “It can make the biggest impact outside
of what we do in the physical therapy clinic. Patients need to believe that
they can get better. They need be motivated to do a lot on their own, as they
only spend about 1% of their week in the physical therapy clinic. This is why
home programs are crucial to a patient’s rehabilitation. How a patient feels
mentally and emotionally affects everything, and can make or break their course
of therapy.”
Physical
therapists teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition to achieve
long-term health benefits. Physical therapists examine each individual and
develop a strategy using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move,
reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability. In addition, physical
therapists work with people to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by
developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier, more
active lives.
Working across conditions and ages
In
addition to helping people with a specific disease, such as MS, physical
therapists see patients for musculoskeletal conditions, such as ankle sprains,
chronic back pain, tennis elbow, whiplash and everything in between.
“Therapists
treat patients who have had strokes or have had falls and need to work on
balance, and those who have dizziness and other inner ear or visual disorders,”
Stoecklein says. “We treat patients who have difficulties with their
pelvic floor, including postpartum, incontinence or constipation. We see
patients after surgery or after breaking a bone. We treat people of all ages
from infants up to geriatric patients.”
For
Carl, a supportive care team, loving family and ability to inspire others helps
keep him going. “It’s amazing what things in life you think you need or
you don’t need, and I’m so happy to still be with my family,” Carl says. “Keep
a smile on your face, and just go strong. Never give up. Never give in.”
Note: A version of
this story previously was published in Hometown
Health.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Read more about Physical Therapy at Mayo Clinic Health System — Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse
- Learn about Mayo’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialty groups.
- Explore Mayo Clinic Health System.
- Request an appointment.