How Can Physical Therapy Help You?

Physical Therapists evaluate and treat physical functions such as injuries or disabilities.

Physical therapists are highly trained and licensed professionals. They’re an expert in the field of human body motion and can help diagnose and treat many different injuries, disabilities, and other health conditions.

Physical therapists are trained to help patients with rehabilitation, especially in the way of range of movement and preventing injury.

Physical therapists are trained to help patients with rehabilitation, especially in the way of range of movement and preventing injury. They also work in prevention and education, with a focus on society’s most vulnerable: children and the elderly.

Licensed physical therapists work in many different settings, including outpatient offices, private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health care. They also work in schools and sports settings among other places.

What to anticipate?

A physical therapist specializes in patients needs in all stages of recovery, from diagnostics to restorative and preventive treatments. A physical therapist may be the only option needed or it can be used with other treatments for optimal results.

While others seek therapy themselves, Some patients are referred to a physical therapist by their doctor.

As stated by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, a physical therapist is trained to:

• Do a physical exam and evaluation of the person’s movement, flexibility, muscle and joint motion, and performance. You’ll also investigate their health history to understand their condition.

• Provide an accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and design a care plan with short and long term goals.

• Provide physical therapy treatment and arbitration.

• Educate and recommend patients to do self therapy, including exercises a person can do at home

Besides from physical handling, physical therapy treatment may involve:

• Hyperhidrosis Treatment: This is done through the use of an electrical current that deliver certain medications, such as topical steroids. This can have the effect of decreasing the presence of inflammation.

• Electrical Stimulation: There are two types: Transdermic electrical nerve stimulation to reduce pain and neuromuscular electrical stimulation to stimulate and improve muscular engagement.

• Heat and Cold Therapy: The benefits can provide relief for a range of conditions.

• Red Light Therapy: This is done by using light and lasers that are specialized to the specific medical conditions you are suffering from.

Common situations in which physical therapy may be able to help

Physical therapists can provide supplementary treatment for a wide variety of medical conditions, depending on their specialty.

Although physical therapists may not directly and independently treat the medical condition other than pure musculoskeletal conditions, they work to optimize recovery or educate a person on how to optimize their movement patterns.

Some conditions that could benefit from physical therapy are:

• Cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and post-myocardial infarction heart failure.

• Conditions that affect the hand, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.

• Musculoskeletal dysfunction, including back pain, rotator cuff tears, and temporomandibular joint disorders.

• Neurological conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction, and traumatic brain injuries.

• Pediatric conditions, including cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.

• Sports-related injuries, such as concussion and tennis elbow.

• Female health and pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary incontinence and lymphedema.

• Skin conditions or injuries, such as burns, wound care, and diabetic ulcers.

Benefits of physical therapy

Depending on the reason for treatment, the benefits of physical therapy may include:

• Pain management with reduced need for opioids.

• Avoiding surgery.

• Improved mobility and movement.

• Recovery from injury or trauma.

• Recovery from stroke or paralysis.

• Vertigo.

• Improved balance.

• Management of age-related medical problems.

A sports therapist can help an athlete maximize their performance by strengthening specific parts of the body and using muscles in new ways.

A physical therapist or other healthcare professional can advise individuals about the benefits specific to their personal medical history and their need for treatment.

Types of Physical Therapy

There are a myriad of physical therapy types, and therapists seek to specialize in one of those fields. These types include:

• Orthopedic physical therapy: This treatment treats conditions involving the muscles, ligaments, bones, fascia and tendons. This treatment is suitable for a number of conditions that include fractures, sprains, tendinitis, bursitis and chronic health issues. It can also be used in rehabilitation or recovery from orthopedic surgery. Patients might be treated with physical therapy methods, such as mobilization, manual therapy, strength training, and mobility systems. They may also undergo other forms of treatment.

• Geriatric Physical Therapy: This treatment can help older adults who have any of a number of conditions that affect their mobility and physical function, including osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacement, incontinence, and balance disorders. This type of intervention is designed to restore mobility, reduce pain, and restore physical fitness levels.

• Neurological Physical Therapy: This treatment can help people with neurological conditions like problems with Alzheimer’s Disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, spinal cord injury or stroke. Treatment may target, increasing mobility, improving motor skills, restoring strength, and restoring balance.

• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Many people who are affected by cardiopulmonary conditions and surgical procedures can gain incredible benefits. They can increase their muscle & cardiovascular endurance and stamina.

• Wound Care Therapy: This treatment helps with healing wounds by improving circulation. These services often involve manual therapies, electrical stimulation, compression therapy and wound care.

• Vestibular Therapy: This treatment is a way to treat balance problems that result from inner ear conditions. It includes a number of exercises as well as manual techniques that can help patients regain their balance and coordination.

• Decongestive Therapy: Lymphedema and other fluid accumulation disorders can be treated with this therapy.

• Pelvic Rehabilitation: Pelvic muscles get stressed over time, and the treatments can help with conditions such as urinary or fecal incontinence, urinary urgency and pelvic pain. Treatments may include exercises.

What is pediatric physical therapy?

Pediatric physical therapy is a specialized type of therapy that aims to diagnose, treat and manage conditions that affect infants, children and adolescents. These conditions may include:

• Underdeveloped Growth

• Cerebral Palsy

• Spina Bifida

• Torticollis

• Other conditions that can impact the musculoskeletal system.

Pediatric physical therapists help children to recover better from injuries, alleviating their pain and teaching them how to move again. They also help to prevent chronic physical disability.

They work closely with children and their families and caregivers by improving a child’s ability to function independently and actively at home and at school.

Finding a physical therapist

Figuring out the right physical therapist is a complicated process that often involves a few specific factors, including insurance acceptance, specialty and reason for treatment, and location.

Insurance companies often have lists of physical therapy locations that they partner with, so you can go there for treatment. Physical therapist recommends other therapists they’ve worked with in the past.

One way to find a physical therapist is to look online.

Education to become a physical therapist

If you’re interested in being a physical therapist, it’s important to have a degree from an accredited institution. Without one, you can’t practice, and that’s for your own sake as well as the sake of the patient. You also have to pass all exams required by law to be able to do so.

Physical therapists study areas that include:

• Biology.

• Anatomy.

• Cellular histology.

• Ehysiology.

• Exercise physiology.

• Biomechanics.

• Kinesiology.

• Neuroscience.

• Pharmacology.

• Pathology.

• Behavioral sciences.

• Cardiovascular studies.

• Pulmonary, endocrine, metabolic, and musculoskeletal.

Physical therapists can specialize in fields such as:

• Cardiovascular and pulmonary health.

• Electrophysiology.

• Geriatric health.

• Neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and sports.

Summary

Physical therapy is a treatment that can help people with certain injuries, disabilities or health conditions. Are you thinking about starting physical therapy? Talk to a physical therapist today!