Physical therapists and their role in healthcare
Physical therapists primarily treat disorders and injuries in the musculoskeletal system (bones and muscles). Physical therapy can also help manage illnesses related to the neurological system, the cardiopulmonary system (heart and lungs), and the integumentary system (skin).
Physical therapists treat people of all ages. They begin by physically examining a patient, which may involve observing a person as they walk, stand, and perform specific tasks. Physical therapists listen to their patients' concerns, understand their goals, and develop personalized care plans. They offer a clinical diagnosis or prognosis.
They practice in hospitals, schools, clinics, and athletic facilities and usually receive referrals from other doctors. Physical therapy might support other treatments or be a standalone option.
Your healthcare provider could refer you to a physical therapist if you have an injury that limits your movement or bodily functions, if you are recovering from surgery, or if you are recovering from conditions such as herniated discs or orthopedic issues.
What kind of education and training do physical therapists receive?
Physical therapists practicing in the United States must acquire a degree in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), officially accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and clear a state licensing exam.
Most DPT programs take about three years to complete. Students in these programs typically study subjects such as anatomy, biology, biomechanics, and cellular histology. Many DPT programs require a bachelor's degree for admission, though some offer a 3+3 format, combining three years of undergraduate coursework with three years of professional DPT training. Additionally, some programs provide direct entry for high school graduates through guaranteed admissions upon completing undergraduate requirements.
Approximately 80% of the DPT curriculum consists of classroom and lab work, while the remaining 20% focuses on clinical education. Students usually spend 27 weeks on their final clinical experience.
Licensed physical therapists can further their expertise through clinical residency or fellowship programs. Residencies offer experience in specific practice areas, while fellowships are for therapists demonstrating clinical expertise in focused practice areas.
The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties issues certification for physical therapists to become board-certified clinical specialists, though such certification is not mandatory for practicing in specific areas.
Occupational therapy vs. physical therapy
Physical and occupational therapy share many similarities but have distinct differences in their approaches to rehabilitative care. One fundamental difference is that physical therapy improves patients' ability to move their bodies. Meanwhile, occupational therapy aims to improve a patient's ability to perform daily activities. Besides, physical therapy's foundation is bodily rehabilitation, whereas occupational therapy is in mental healthcare and physical rehabilitation. \
Occupational therapy heavily focuses on adapting, modifying, or changing the daily activities an individual is required to do or wants to do. They might alter the activity, environment, or skills of the person. At the person's skill level, an occupational therapist might help an individual improve their fine motor skills (small movements made with their upper body). These movements are necessary for daily activities such as picking up a toothbrush, brushing their teeth, using a phone, or driving. For individuals with mental health-related issues, an occupational therapist can help by equipping them with positive coping strategies that allow them to function daily.
In some cases, you may need both professionals to support different aspects of your recovery. Together, they may offer a more complete approach to healing and wellness.
What are some of the conditions physical therapy can help with?
Physical therapy is a noninvasive rehabilitative discipline that improves people's health and quality of life. It combines treatments such as massage, specific exercises, stretching, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Because of the variety of treatments available, the list of conditions treated by physical therapy is comprehensive. It is categorized under neurological disorders, such as Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease, genetic or musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries, or common issues such as dizziness, headaches, and back and neck pain.
Under musculoskeletal disorders, physical therapy can treat arthritis, muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis, and various spinal conditions, such as degenerative disc disorder, herniated discs, muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, sacroiliitis, and sciatica. Other than the abovementioned diseases, physical therapy can also assist individuals dealing with obesity, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatments offered by physical therapists near you
To treat an issue, physical therapists may use equipment, electrical stimulation machines, or hands-on techniques (like manipulating one's movements) and recommend exercise and stretching routines that a person can do at home. They often assist patients with crutches or canes and help them learn how to use an artificial limb.
Here are a few treatments that physical therapists are qualified to offer:
- Iontophoresis: This is a process in which a medical device passes mild electrical currents through water and then through the skin's membranes. It delivers medication across membranes to decrease inflammation and treat excessive sweating.
- Phototherapy (light therapy): This therapy uses special lights and lasers to treat skin conditions.
- Heat therapy: This improves the flow of blood to an area due to increased temperature, which increases muscle flexibility and soothes pain. It is suitable for relieving stiff muscles. Heat can be dry or moist. Dry heat includes heating pads and saunas. Moist heat comes from steamed towels, heat wraps, and hot baths, which are slightly more effective than dry heat. Heat could also come from an ultrasound, aiding in tendonitis recovery.
- Cold therapy (cryotherapy): This reduces blood flow to an area and reduces nerve activity, which in turn reduces pain, inflammation, and swelling. Cold treatment can be applied using ice packs, frozen gel packs, coolant sprays, ice massages, or ice baths. Other forms of cold therapy include cryo-stretching (which uses cold to reduce muscle spasms during stretching), cryokinetics (which combines cold treatment and exercise to ease ligament sprains), and whole-body cold therapy chambers.
These treatments aim to improve movement and functionality and increase the range of motion of body parts. Regular physical therapy can reduce one's dependence on drugs or surgery.
What are the different physical therapy specialties?
Physical therapy encompasses various specialties, each targeting specific conditions.
- Orthopedic physical therapy treats musculoskeletal injuries, using techniques like joint mobilizations and strength training for conditions such as fractures and sprains.
- Geriatric physical therapy aids older adults with mobility issues due to arthritis or joint replacements.
- Neurological physical therapy supports those with neurological disorders like stroke and Parkinson’s disease by improving movement and balance.
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation enhances endurance in those with heart and lung conditions.
- Wound care therapy promotes circulation for healing wounds.
- Vestibular therapy addresses inner ear balance issues.
- Decongestive therapy reduces fluid accumulation in lymphedema.
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation treats pelvic conditions like incontinence.
Benefits of seeking physical therapy
Working with a physical therapist near you can bring many advantages, depending on your health condition and treatment goals. Physical therapy focuses on helping you recover, improve movement, and avoid more invasive treatments like surgery. Here are some key benefits you may experience with physical therapy:
- Relief from pain without needing opioids
- Lower chances of needing surgery
- Better mobility and easier movement
- Faster recovery after an injury or accident
- Support during stroke or paralysis recovery
- Reduced risk of falling, especially for older adults
- Improved balance and coordination
- Help manage health issues related to aging
A sports therapist can also help enhance an athlete's performance by reinforcing particular areas of the body and facilitating the use of muscles in different ways. Additionally, a physical therapist or healthcare professional can provide guidance tailored to an individual's medical history and treatment requirements.
Risks of seeking physical therapy
Physical therapy is generally safe when guided by a licensed physical therapist near you. However, like any form of care, there are potential risks one should be aware of.
Here are some possible risks that may occur during physical therapy:
- Existing conditions may temporarily get worse.
- You might continue to feel pain.
- Some individuals may not see much progress in flexibility, strength, or movement.
- Chest therapy can sometimes raise heart rate, metabolism, or blood pressure.
- There's a slight risk of falling while performing physical therapy exercises, which could result in injury.
- In rare cases, premature babies might suffer bone fractures during treatment.
To stay safe and avoid complications, ensure you understand how to exercise correctly. If you have any doubts or queries or need further explanation on anything, don't hesitate to ask your physical therapist for clarification.
Where can you find the best physical therapists near you in Austin, Texas?
Physical therapists have expertise in movement and can assist in maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. If you face any pain preventing you from performing your daily tasks, consider consulting a physical therapist.
Zocdoc can help you schedule appointments for the best physical therapy near you. This platform lets you choose a physical therapist from a list of excellent medical and healthcare providers in your area. Consulting a doctor who is in-network (who accepts your health insurance plan) can help you cut costs. Zocdoc lets you filter your search by your medical insurance carrier's name.
If you need help finding primary care doctors who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is available. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Keep in mind that each appointment can only use one insurance plan.
For those with multiple insurance plans, you can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can easily enter your secondary insurance information.
You can also make your task easier by searching according to your preferred location, specialty, and condition. You can conduct an area-specific search to find your nearest provider and visit them in their clinic or hospital. If traveling is difficult or you want to gauge your provider better before an in-person visit, you can even opt for a video consultation with the doctor.
If you're unsure about your condition, you can also search using your symptoms to find a doctor who can treat you. To ensure that you communicate well with your doctor and feel comfortable with them, Zocdoc allows you to filter using languages spoken and the doctors' gender.
You can click on a healthcare professional's name to learn more about them from their Zocdoc profile page. This page contains the doctor's schedule and the available appointment slots, the educational background and the qualifications of the healthcare provider, the insurance they accept, and their hospital affiliations. This page also contains reviews written by other patients.
Booking appointments with physical therapists near you using Zocdoc is simple, secure, and 100% free!
Physical therapist statistics in Texas
As per a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the employment of physical therapists will grow at an estimated rate of approximately 15% from 2022 to 2032, considerably faster than the average for all occupations.
As of May 2021, the mean annual earnings for physical therapists were about $92,920, higher than the national average. Texas was the second-largest employer of physical therapists, with 17,170 working there.
Arthritis remains a common issue that people seek to heal with physical therapy. Based on America's Health Rankings, around 22.2% of the adults in Texas had some form of arthritis in 2022. Arthritis is most common in people aged over 65, with approximately 53.5% of this population affected by the condition.
People with disabilities seek physical therapy to gain or retain function, improve mobility, and prevent injury. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 25% of adults in Texas had some disability in 2020. Of these, about 10.9% had a cognitive disability, nearly 11.1% had a mobility disability, and around 6.3% had an independent living disability.
Sources
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
International Spine, Pain & Performance Center
XO Physical Therapy
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
Healthline
America's Health Rankings
UTSouthwestern Medical Center
Disability and Health Data System
WebMD
American Physical Therapy Association
Healthgrades
Cleveland Clinic
Medical News Today
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