Why must physical therapists exercise caution with patients who are taking anticoagulants?

Why must physical therapists exercise caution with patients who are taking anticoagulants?

• A. Increased risk of bleeding with manual therapy or tissue trauma.
• B. Enhanced tissue healing with manual therapy.
• C. Anticoagulants eliminate bleeding risk.
• D. There is no need to monitor bruising.

Answer: (A)

Anticoagulants slow or prevent blood clotting, so any tissue trauma or manual pressure during physical therapy can lead to more bleeding than usual. This means bruising, hematomas, or even deeper bleeding can occur from techniques that would normally be tolerated. Because of this, therapists must exercise caution: review the patient’s meds and bleeding risk, use gentler, less invasive techniques, monitor for new or worsening bruising or swelling, and coordinate with the prescriber if there’s a concern about bleeding risk or if adjustments to therapy are needed. The idea is to balance therapeutic benefits with the higher potential for bleeding, rather than assuming bleeding risk is eliminated or that healing is enhanced.

Anticoagulants slow or prevent blood clotting, so any tissue trauma or manual pressure during physical therapy can lead to more bleeding than usual. This means bruising, hematomas, or even deeper bleeding can occur from techniques that would normally be tolerated. Because of this, therapists must exercise caution: review the patient’s meds and bleeding risk, use gentler, less invasive techniques, monitor for new or worsening bruising or swelling, and coordinate with the prescriber if there’s a concern about bleeding risk or if adjustments to therapy are needed. The idea is to balance therapeutic benefits with the higher potential for bleeding, rather than assuming bleeding risk is eliminated or that healing is enhanced.