What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is the treatment of certain conditions using physical stimuli such as exercise, electrical currents, or ultrasound.
Physical therapy treatments are usually given to relieve pain, strengthen muscles and improve mobility. Part of the treatment includes educating patients on what they can do to improve their own health.Â
Physical therapy treatment can include the following:
- Exercises
- Passive exercises
- Massage
- Treatments using other stimuli such as heat, cold, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound.
Physical therapy can be used to treat acute and chronic symptoms, prevent future complications, or rehabilitate a patient after surgery, injury, or other medical problems.
What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
A physical therapist will use a variety of treatment approaches in order to achieve their goal. A list of such methods is described below.
Exercises
A major part of a physical therapist’s work is to teach you how to do specific exercises. Once you have learned these specific exercises, you will need to continue doing them at home in order to benefit from them. Only with regular exercise will you be able to make improvements.
These exercises will be specific to your needs. Exercises can be given to improve muscle strength, increase joint mobility and stability.Â
Passive Exercises
Another part of a physical therapist’s work is to give you passive exercises. This is where the therapist moves your body with certain movements. This may be used to increase mobility when you do not have the strength to perform the exercise yourself.Â
Physical Stimuli
Besides exercises, a physical therapist can use physical stimuli to achieve their goals. These methods include the following:
- Massage: Massage can be used to relax muscles and connective tissue as well as lymph drainage.
- Heat therapy: Heat can be used to increase blood flow which aids in recovery.
- Cold therapy: Ice packs can be used to reduce swelling.
- Electrotherapy: Weak electric pulses can help increase muscle tone.
What Is the Purpose of Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy may have the following treatment goals, depending on the condition that they are treating:
- To improve or restore normal body movements
- Strengthen weakened muscles
- Improve coordination
- Relieve pain
- To improve blood circulation
- To improve metabolism
- To prevent problems from becoming chronic
Where Do You Get Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is available at many private clinics and hospitals. It can be performed in an outpatient or inpatient setting.
While most treatments are carried out by a physical therapist, some treatments can be performed by other healthcare professionals, such as massage treatments and those using physical stimuli.Â
Is Physical Therapy Right for You?
Physical therapy can be used in the treatment and prevention of many conditions. Some of the common conditions that would require physical therapy include the following:
- Back pain
- Muscle ligament or tendon injuries
- Overuse injuries
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Respiratory diseases
- Neurological diseases, such as stroke, Parkinson’s, or multiple sclerosis
- Developmental problems in children; for instance, affecting their muscles or bones
- Pelvic floor problems such as incontinence or pain
You may also benefit from physical therapy if you need physical assistance or are in nursing care. You can be helped to strengthen muscles for certain activities and fall prevention.
Find a physical therapist in your area today!