Generalized Weakness
Generalized weakness means many muscles throughout the body feel weak, often after a stretch of inactivity such as an illness, a hospital stay or recovering from an injury. Physical therapy helps you regain strength and activity tolerance and tackles any pain or other problems along the way. Western Slope Rehab and Performance helps people rebuild in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands.
Why you can feel weak everywhere
Generalized weakness is the most common complaint of older adults. It is not one disease. It usually follows something that kept you resting, and the muscles lose strength quickly when they are not used.
What often leads to it
- A bad cold or pneumonia
- A viral or bacterial infection
- A long hospital stay
- Prolonged bed rest
- A flare-up of a chronic illness
- Recovering from an injury
- A long stretch of inactivity
How we rebuild strength
Your therapist evaluates what is limiting you, then builds a program around your goals.
Strength and endurance
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Aerobic exercise
- Gradual increases in activity
Balance and movement
- Balance exercises
- Manual Therapy for stiffness and pain
- See Balance & Gait Disorders
Knowing your limits
- Education about safe physical activity
- A plan for home
- Goals you set with your therapist
Weakness, falls and staying independent
Weakness is a common cause of falls, because muscles may not be strong enough to keep you upright. Our aim is to help you live as independently as possible so you can keep doing the things you love. Our Fall Prevention page covers that side in more detail. If you are recovering from surgery, see Post-Surgical Rehab.
Get urgent care first if weakness is sudden
- Weakness that comes on suddenly, especially on one side of the body
- Slurred speech, a drooping face or confusion
- Weakness together with chest pain, trouble breathing or a fever
Call 911 for sudden one-sided weakness or speech changes. Weakness that is new and unexplained should be checked by your doctor before you start therapy.
Find your strength again in Grand Junction
You are not alone, and help is available. We see patients from Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands. You can start physical therapy without a referral from a doctor in most cases. Some insurance plans, including Medicare, still need a doctor's sign-off on the plan of care (Direct Access). Call (970) 314-9822 and we will check your plan.
We see patients from Grand Junction and the surrounding Grand Valley: Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands.