Physical
therapy (PT) helps patients suffering from disease or injuries
to improve mobility; relieve pain; increase strength, coordination, and
balance; and decrease or prevent deformity. Physical therapists assess,
plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs. In addition
to "hands-on" care, which consists of joint and soft tissue
mobilization and spinal manipulations, physical therapists focus on
ergonomics or body mechanic training, fitness and wellness, especially
education. This area of physical therapy includes posture, stabilization
building strength in the weakened areas, and to prevent additional
injury.
Why can't I do PT for myself?
Our
Physical Therapist is a specialist in musculoskeletal conditions and
is specifically educated and skilled to evaluate, treat and educate you
on your rehabilitation. Physical Therapists are continually educated as
to management for different dysfunctions, differentiation of one
dysfunction or injury from another and work closely with the referring
physician in the development of a rehabilitation program specifically
designed for the individual patient.
The other important aspect
to remember with physical therapy is that each individual is different.
We all have different types of bodies, different patterns of movement,
different alignments and different habits. A physical therapist, along
with trained staff, monitor each individual and attempt to correct
improper habits, alignments and movement patterns.
Most
important with therapy is education. Due to healthcare guidelines and
reimbursement changes, your physician may not have the time needed to
explain exactly what your injury/dysfunction/disability is and why/how
it occurred. Your therapist specializes in this and many times will be
the one to educate on the specifics of your problem and what the course
of action will be to correct it and hopefully prevent it from recurring.
PT focuses on education, correction, and prevention. Our Physical
Therapist becomes an advocate for your health and sometimes the only
link between your and your physician.
Common Conditions that Require PT
Neck and back: Herniated discs, spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, sciatica, radiculopathies and bone spurs.
Shoulder: Rotator
tendonitis and tears, bursitis, dislocations, labral tears,
impingement, AC joint separations, scapular instabilities, thoracic
outlet syndrome, and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
Elbow: Medial epicondylitis (golfers elbow), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and cubital tunnel.
Hip: Total hip replacements, bursitis, labral tears and SI joint dysfunctions.
Knee: Meniscal tears, ACL tears, ligament sprains and strains, bursitis, chondromalacia patella and patellar tendonitis.
Ankle/foot: Ligament tears, flat feet, plantar fascitis, heel spurs, and ankle instability.
Other: Arthritis,
fracture, dislocation, sprain and strain, post-stroke rehabilitation,
balance deficiency, fitness and wellness training, and sports injuries
rehabilitation.
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