Who is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists help injured or ill people regain mobility and manage pain. They are consulted to prevent, rehabilitate, and treat patients who have chronic diseases or injuries. Physical therapists can treat individuals of all ages and stages of life. Some people seek the guidance of a physical therapist to become healthier and avoid future difficulties. Physical therapists can specialize in specific groups of patients or illnesses. Every patient's physical therapy treatment is customized; no one-size-fits-all approach exists.
Physical therapists can treat patients with functional impairments caused by back and neck injuries, strains, sprains, fractures, arthritis, amputations, neurological diseases such as stroke or cerebral palsy, job and sports injuries, and other ailments. Physical therapists treat their patients using different strategies. These include exercises and functional movement training, which may consist of equipment such as canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers, as well as particular joints, muscles, and other soft tissue movements to enhance mobility and decrease pain.
The work of physical therapists differs depending on the patient. For example, a patient striving to regain movement after a stroke requires different treatment than a patient recovering after a sports injury. Some physical therapists focus on a specific care area, such as orthopedics or geriatrics. Many physical therapists also assist patients in maintaining or improving mobility by creating fitness and wellness programs that promote healthy, active lifestyles.
How to become a physical therapist?
To practice as a physical therapist in the United States, one must first obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a recognized institute and then pass a state licensure exam. Professional DPT programs typically last three years. The primary study areas include biology/anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral science, organizational theory, finance, sociology, clinical skills, cellular histology, physiology, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic, and musculoskeletal.
The DPT curriculum comprises approximately 80% classroom (didactic) and lab study and 20% clinical education. On average, physical therapy students spend 27.5 weeks in their final clinical experience. Before acceptance, most DPT programs require applicants to have a bachelor's degree. Other programs provide a 3+3 curricular arrangement in which students must complete three years of particular pre-professional (undergraduate/pre-physical therapy) courses before entering a three-year professional DPT program.
Several programs offer first-year admission, luring high school graduates into a program with assured admission. Accepted high school students will instantly advance to the professional phase of the DPT program after completing the necessary university coursework and any other specified requirements, such as a minimum GPA.
Common physiotherapy treatments and their benefits
A physical therapist near you can utilize various treatment techniques to address health conditions affecting mobility and function. The duration of a rehabilitation program depends on the nature and severity of the injury and individual needs.
Here's a breakdown of some commonly used physiotherapy treatments and how they can help improve physical well-being.
Manual therapy
This hands-on technique focuses on muscle manipulation and joint mobilization through massage and natural body movements. For example, manual therapy can help patients recover from back or neck pain by loosening tight muscles and restoring movement.
Stretches and exercises
Slow, controlled stretches and exercises are central to most physiotherapy programs. They help strengthen muscles, reduce stiffness, and enhance flexibility and range of motion. Targeted exercises, for instance, can rebuild muscle strength and restore joint function after knee surgery.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
TENS therapy utilizes low-voltage electrical currents to relieve pain in targeted areas temporarily. It's a non-invasive option often used to manage chronic pain conditions like sciatica or post-surgical discomfort.
Dry needling
This minimally invasive procedure involves the physical therapist carefully inserting tiny, thin needles into specific trigger points within the patient's muscles. It helps alleviate pain, release tension, and restore function in the affected area. Dry needling is often used for conditions like muscle knots or sports-related injuries.
Taping
Elastic therapeutic tape is applied to injured or strained muscles to improve blood flow, support recovery, and prevent further injury. Unlike braces, taping allows natural movement, making it ideal for athletes recovering from muscle injuries.
Hydrotherapy (Aqua therapy)
This therapy involves exercises and stretches in water to alleviate pain, relax muscles, and enhance joint mobility. Water's buoyancy reduces joint stress, making hydrotherapy especially beneficial for conditions like arthritis or post-surgery rehabilitation.
Ultrasound therapy
High-frequency sound waves penetrate deep into tissues, increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing. This therapy is commonly used to treat soft tissue injuries such as ligament sprains or tendonitis.
Laser or light therapy
Low-intensity laser therapy uses light waves to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair.
What should you expect during your consultation with a physical therapist near you?
Your primary care doctor or other specialists may refer you to a physical therapist if they feel that you can benefit from their treatment. The physical therapist will review your medication list and physician notes during your first visit. They will ask you about your symptoms and enquire if you have had any injury or surgery recently.
After reviewing your medical history, the therapist will perform a physical exam involving moving your joints. They may also ask you to stand, walk, or perform specific clinical tests. Once they analyze your issue, they will prepare an individualized treatment plan. It may include physical exercises, stretching, hands-on techniques, or equipment-based training.
Further, they might also advise using therapeutic aids such as kinesthetic tape or electrical stimulation machines. The therapist will then explain these exercises and ask you to perform them. If you experience discomfort while performing them, you should inform your therapist, as they can change or modify the exercises to avoid further injury. Massages, warm water therapy, heat or cold therapy, and ultrasound therapy are other treatments your therapist may recommend.
Physical therapy is known to reduce the need for medication or surgery in many cases. However, you may have to revisit the therapist to check the progress of the treatment and make any necessary changes.
Why should you visit a physical therapist near you?
Many see a physical therapist to prevent disability or surgery, relieve pain, improve ability or movement, recover from a sports injury, or get a splint or brace. Even after pregnancy, many women turn to physical therapy to help restore their pelvic floor strength and functioning.
Moreover, therapists can help improve your balance or manage chronic pain ailments such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and impingement syndrome. You may also need physical therapy to recover faster if you are recovering from an orthopedic problem, such as rotator cuff repair, herniated disc, or anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Depending on the patient's condition, these therapists may recommend assistive devices such as walkers or canes to help them walk.
Your illness and treatment objectives will determine how long you need physical therapy. Your referring physician and a physical therapist will frequently work together to develop a recommended treatment plan. One may require a physical therapist's approval before resuming some activities, such as cycling or strenuous exercises.
Finding the best physical therapists near you in Baltimore, Maryland
Finding a physical therapist in Baltimore is now quick and straightforward. Using Zocdoc, you can find the best physical therapist near you within minutes. Visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition, location, preferred date, and insurance details to access the best-rated physical therapists in Baltimore. You can filter your search by gender, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and whether a practitioner treats children. If you need clarification on your insurance details, use Zocdoc's insurance finder and access practitioners who accept your plan.
If you prefer not to share your insurance or don't have coverage, you can easily find another provider on Zocdoc who suits your preferences. For more insurance-related questions, please visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
On Zocdoc, all practitioners have a dedicated profile highlighting their educational background, training, specialty, certifications, awards, and clinical interests. You can also read the verified patient reviews to make an informed decision. Zocdoc also allows you to book virtual consultations and in-person visits with a physical therapist near you.
All appointment bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure.
Health indicators in Maryland
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 3950 physical therapists in Maryland. The prevalence of obesity in Maryland was 31.3, 30.9, 32.2, and 31.0 for 2017-2020. Similarly, the prevalence of hypertension for the years 2017 and 2019 was 33.1 and 34.9, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes between 2017 and 2020 was 10.4, 12.1, 11.1, and 10.3. In Baltimore city, the prevalence of adult obesity was 36.4, and for hypertension, it was 36.4. Adult diabetes had a prevalence of 13.2.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2017), there were 11,653 deaths due to heart disease in Maryland. Approximately 7.3% of people in the state of Maryland had cardiovascular diseases in 2020. The rate was lower than the national rate of 8.3%. 19.2% of people aged 65 and older reported having cardiovascular diseases; 7.5% of people aged 45-64 had cardiovascular diseases, while 1.7% of people aged 18-44 reported the same. More males (8.4%) reported cardiovascular diseases than females (6.3%).
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
American Physical Therapy Association
The National Center for Biotechnology Information
America's Health Rankings
WebMD
Verywell Health
