What is Physical Therapy and How to Treat It

What exactly is physical therapy?

Our trained physical therapists apply their expertise to evaluate a patient’s injuries or surgical recovery plan, and then help them through a variety of interdisciplinary measures to restore function and movement. Using several different methods and cutting edge techniques, physical therapy rehabilitates injuries and redevelops the muscles that have been weakened by the injury.

Physical Therapy Benefits

This gives our patients a better quality of life while recovering, and many fully recover through our regimented process. Our doctors of physical therapy (DPT) and out PT team focus on each patient with a customized approach. We determine your goals, what activities you participate in, lifestyle, nutrition and where you feel pain so that we can put you on the best course of rehabilitation. Many of our patients can successfully heal with little or no prescription narcotics, further procedures or other complications.

Physical Therapy Types

There are several physical therapy types to choose from.

Orthopedic physical therapy targets treating injuries of muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons, such as fractures, sprains and strains, bursitis, chronic pain, etc. This type of therapy is also beneficial as a part of post-surgery recovery plan.

Geriatric physical therapy can help older adults restore mobility and relieve pain. It mostly targets those who develop conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, and incontinence.

Neurological physical therapy is designed for patients with neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation has the goal of increasing the endurance and stamina of the cardiovascular and muscular systems.

Vestibular physical therapy involves a number of exercises and manual techniques that can help patients regain their balance and coordination, which could be affected by inner ear issues.

What is Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapist treats children under 18 years old. Such a doctor should have years of training and a degree in Physical Therapy.

Pediatric physical therapists can help treat numerous conditions, including bone and muscle issues, injuries, especially sports-related, spine and nerve disorders, etc.

Do You Need Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help you with a number of issues. It is mostly used to ease pain and improve mobility. However, it can also target recovery or prevention of injuries, preventing disability, as a first treatment option before surgery. It can also serve as a part of a rehabilitation plan after a stroke, injury, giving birth, or surgery. Physical therapy has good results in patients, who need better balance or restore bowels/bladder control. Some types of therapy can help adapt to an artificial limb or to the use of assistive devices like a cane, brace, walker, or splint.

As there are physical therapies designed for different patients, people of all ages can benefit from them.

Preparing for Physical Therapy

At the first physical therapy session, your therapist will examine and assess your needs. The first step is usually getting answers to questions on your pain and other symptoms and gathering your medical history. Then a doctor can ask you to perform some movements to assess mobility.

There can be tests to evaluate how you move, reach, and bend. A doctor also checks if you’re able to walk or climb steps, to keep balance.

After getting a proper understanding of your condition and your needs, your therapist creates a treatment plan. This plan, its duration, exact procedures and therapy types can differ from patient to patient.

Your treatment plan can include stretches or exercises, massage therapy, heat or cold therapy, practice with assistive gadgets.

We help patients from all walks of life, from surgical recovery patients, expectant mothers, labor workers, athletes, kids and teens, the elderly and even those who have been dealing with chronic pain for a long time. Our highly trained physical therapists work collaboratively with our board-certified physicians while also incorporating our chiropractors, acupuncturists and other team services if needed to deliver the best-customized program to help you improve or restore muscle function and movement.