Who can benefit from Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy can help patients with various dysfunctions gain improved functional abilities, range of motion, and strength while decreasing pain, muscle spasms, inflammation, and other debilitating conditions.
Treatment can help various conditions including, but not limited to:
- Low Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sprain of any Joint
- Strain of any Muscle
- Foot and Heel Pain
- Knee Pain (Patellofemoral Syndrome)
- Bursitis of any Joint
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Incontinence
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Fibromyalgia
- TMJ Dysfunction
- Deconditioned Patients/Generalized Weakness
- CVA (Stroke)
- Work Hardening/Conditioning
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Post-Op Mastectomy
- Post-Op Joint Replacement
- Hip Fractures
- Upper/Lower Extremity Fractures
- Fractures of the Spine
- Post-Op Spinal Surgery
- Headaches
- TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
- Pre- and Post-Partum Women
What can I expect at Physical Therapy?
During your first visit, which will last approximately 45-60 minutes, your physical therapist will perform an initial evaluation. The evaluation consists of a detailed history of your problem, your past medical history, physical assessment, early education, and treatment. Elements of the initial evaluation include:
The history of the injury or condition; including what, where, when, and how your injury occurred, how it has been treated thus far, and information regarding your past medical care. It is very important that you are honest and thorough, providing all pertinent information for your therapist to set up a safe and effective treatment regime.
Physical assessment, including objective measurements of your strength, range of motion, and functional abilities. The therapist will also perform special testing specific to your condition. This allows the therapist to determine your restrictions and set therapy goals.
The therapist will initiate treatment after the evaluation. You will receive information regarding your condition and most likely be instructed in basic exercises to begin at home. It is extremely important that you are compliant with your home program and attend all of your therapy sessions. The exercises you are instructed in and the treatment you will receive during your physical therapy sessions are designed to help you gain the maximum rehabilitation from your condition.
During your therapy appointments, you will receive a variety of treatments, including, but not limited to, modalities, strengthening, stretching, therapeutic exercise, and education. Treatment appointments will be approximately 30-45 minutes in length and will address difficulties you are having as a result of your condition. Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to allow access to your injured body part.
Throughout your treatment course, you may have appointments to follow up with your doctor. It is very important that you keep these appointments so that the doctor can monitor your progress. Please let the therapist know when you are scheduled to see the doctor so that a report on your status can be forwarded to his/her office prior to your appointment.