What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is the treatment of injury or disease by physical therapeutic means instead of by medical, surgical, or radiologic measures. Physical therapy can include massage, patient education, exercise, stretching, and water therapy. It is sometimes also called physiotherapy.
What is a Physical Therapist?
Physical Therapists are health care providers who are the experts in the examination and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems that affect peoples' abilities to move and function as well as they can in their daily lives.
For instance, physical therapists help patients with orthopedic problems; such as low back pain or knee surgeries, to reduce pain and regain function. To assist patients recovering from a stroke, they provide treatment so that those patients learn to use their limbs again.
Because people of all ages need to move and function well to remain healthy, physical therapists work with patients as young as newborns to the very aged. Treatment can occur in all types of settings, from hospitals (even critically ill patients in the intensive care unit) and outpatient clinics to the home, schools, and the workplace.
What do Physical Therapists do?
Treating not only the person, a large part of a physical therapist's program is directed at preventing injury and loss of movement. For example, physical therapists work:
- As consultants in industrial settings to improve workplace design and reduce the risk of overusing certain muscles or developing low back pain
- To athletes at all levels to screen for potential problems and institute preventive exercise programs
- Consulting with individuals and fitness clubs to develop workouts that are safe and effective, especially for people who already know that they have a problem with their joints or their backs
The cornerstone of physical therapy treatment is therapeutic exercise and functional training.
- Hands-on care, educate patients to take care of themselves and perform certain exercises on their own
- Manipulate a joint: performing certain types of passive movements at the end of the patient's range of motion, or massage a muscle to promote proper movement and function
Physical therapists use such techniques as electrotherapy, ultrasound (high-frequency waves that produce heat), hot packs, and ice.
How do you find a Physical Therapist?
Because physical therapists are required to understand a vast array of problems that can affect movement, function, and health, all physical therapists are college trained and licensed, having passed a national examination in the state in which they practice.
You find a physical therapist that is right for you the same way you might find the right doctor or dentist; through recommendations from family or friends, or by checking telephone listings and doing your own research.
Call us today for a consultation and information about our services.
Some problems that Physical Therapy helps:
- Muscle weakness, posture dysfunction
- Pain relief - (back, neck, joint)
- Injuries - sports, MVA, worker's compensation
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Joint replacement rehabilitation
- Restoration of function - CVA
- Gait and balance disorders
We are Medicare Providers. Many other health insurances cover most forms of physical therapy, coverage varies with each plan. We are happy to explore this for you.
Some links for further information:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Florida Physical Therapy Association
Journal of the American Physical
Therapy Association Orthopaedic Section, APTA