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Who is a physical therapist?

Physical therapists are movement specialists who use exercise, hands-on care, and education to improve quality of life. They evaluate and treat illnesses or injuries to the:

• musculoskeletal system (bones and muscles)
• neurological systems (brain)
• cardiopulmonary systems (heart and lungs)
• integumentary system (skin)

Some people may also visit a physical therapist for advice on preventing future movement-related problems. Physical therapists are trained to help people at different life stages, possibly at hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, or clinics. 

To qualify as a physical therapist in the United States, one must complete a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree from a program authorized by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The program content includes but is not limited to biology, anatomy, and physiology. Completing a DPT program may take around three years.

After passing a state licensing exam, physical therapists can also choose to enroll in a clinical residency or fellowship program. These programs allow licensed physical therapists to gain experience in a focused practice area such as:

• Cardiovascular (heart) and pulmonology (lungs)
• Geriatrics (elderly health)
• Neurology (brain health)
• Oncology (Cancer)
• Orthopedics (bone, joint, and spinal issues)
• Pediatrics (children's health)
• Sports

Physical therapists can become board-certified specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. A board certification equips them with a broad professional education and practice to develop knowledge and skills in a particular area. However, they are not required to be certified to practice. 

What are physical therapists trained to do?

Physical therapists perform examinations and devise treatment plans to improve movement, reduce or manage pain, and prevent disability. They use a combination of hands-on techniques like stretches, exercises, or activities you perform with their supervision. Some physical therapy techniques are:

• Stretching
• Strength training
• Massage

Apart from physical manipulation, physical therapy treatment may also involve:

• Heat and cold therapy: To relieve an aching pain from muscle or joint damage
• Iontophoresis: Using an electrical current to deliver medications such as topical steroids and decrease inflammation
• Light therapy: Using special lasers and lights to treat certain medical conditions
• Electrical stimulation (e-stim): 1. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces pain. 2. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves muscular engagement

What are the main advantages of physical therapy?

The following are some primary benefits of seeking physical therapy: 

• Reducing and eliminating pain: If you experience severe pain in your muscles, joints, or tendons, you should visit a physical therapist near you. Therapeutic exercises and guided relaxation techniques like soft tissue massage, taping, or electric stimulation can help eliminate and relieve pain and also help prevent pain relapses.

• Faster surgery recovery: Most physical therapists use manual treatments or techniques like ultrasound to reduce pain, eliminating the need for surgery. However, if the pain persists for a prolonged time, your doctor might recommend surgery. In this case, you may benefit from physical therapy — pre or post-surgery — making the recovery process faster and more robust.

• Improving mobility: Your physical therapist might help you with standing, walking, or moving - regardless of age or medical condition. Muscle relaxation techniques like stretching and strengthening exercises can restore your mobility. Using crutches, a cane, or other assistive devices can also be helpful. 

• Recovery from stroke: A stroke can result in dire symptoms like sudden numbness, weakness in the face and arm, confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty comprehending sentences. Your ability to move quickly may also be adversely affected. Physical therapy can strengthen your muscles and restore the ability to use your body parts to the maximum potential. It can assist you in becoming more independent, and regular intervention can help you return to several activities you previously enjoyed.

• Recovery from sports injury: Physical therapists can diagnose and treat various conditions that might affect athletes or physically active people. They understand how engaging in sports can increase the risk of injuries in certain body parts. Hence, they can design a prevention plan to ensure an athlete's safety and performance.

When should you see a physical therapist?

Physical therapy can benefit anyone with an illness or injury, limiting physical functional ability. You may need physical therapy to treat conditions such as:

• Cardiopulmonary conditions: Cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, post-myocardial infarction heart failure
• Conditions that affect the hand: Arthritis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger
• Female health and pelvic floor dysfunction: Lymphedema, urinary incontinence
• Musculoskeletal conditions: Back pain, rotator cuff tears, temporomandibular joint disorders
• Neurological conditions: Stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson's disease
• Pediatric conditions: Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy
• Skin injuries or conditions: Burns, diabetic ulcers, wound care
• Sports-related injuries: Concussion, tennis elbow

Physical therapists can provide supplementary treatment for various conditions depending on the specialty. Seeking care from a physical therapist near you can help you effectively manage pain and reduce the need for opioids and surgery. Physical therapy improves balance, mobility, and movement. It can help prevent falls and manage age-related medical problems such as Parkinson's disease. 

What to expect from your first appointment with a physical therapist?

A physical therapist usually performs a physical examination to evaluate movement, flexibility, muscle, and joint motion. They would also ask you questions regarding your health history. This would give them a better understanding of your presenting concern.

Based on your physical exam and your medical history, the physical therapist would give you a clinical diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan based on the expected outcomes. This plan may include short-term and long-term goals. Your physical therapist may use a combination of exercises, stretches, and other hands-on techniques in your treatment. They may also use therapeutic aids like electrical stimulation machines or kinesthetic tape. 

The duration of treatment would depend on the condition and expected outcomes. Your physical therapist will assist you in using supportive devices like a crutch or cane. They will also recommend self-management tips such as exercises you can do at home. The physical therapist will create and execute discharge plans at the right time. You may also need approval before resuming certain activities. 

Finding a qualified physical therapist near you in Cary, North Carolina

Doctors often recommend physical therapy for those with movement problems due to injury, illness, disease, or disability. If you are looking for a physical therapist near you, you should try Zocdoc.

Log on to www.zocdoc.com and enter keywords such as "Physical therapist" and "Cary" to find the best healthcare providers near you. Each profile on Zocdoc includes the specialist's education and training, languages they speak, and hospital affiliations. You can filter the results by gender, language, distance, or other essential factors. 

Zocdoc provides user-verified reviews and ratings for every physical therapist on the platform. You can also find in-network specialists that accept your healthcare insurance. Once you find a physical therapist near you that suits your preferences, book an in-person or online appointment for free. 

All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free. 

Statistics on physical therapy in North Carolina 

Pain can be a distressing feeling caused by multiple possible health conditions. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 58.9% of adults with some form of pain in 2019. Approximately 39% of adults reported having back pain, 36.5% with lower limb pain, and 30.7% with upper limb pain. According to the United Health Foundation, in 2021, about 27.3% of adults in North Carolina had some form of arthritis.

Pain from such medical conditions can interfere with a person's functioning and quality of life. This leads to dependence on opioids, a class of drugs that include pain relievers and illicit drugs. According to North Carolina Opioid Settlements, about 14 out of 100 people were prescribed opioids in 2020, representing over 1,432,670 people with an opioid prescription. Around 143 out of 100,000 people visited the emergency department due to an overdose in 2020. In total, there were about 14,947 ED visits in that year. 

As per the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services report, there were more than 28,000 drug overdose deaths between 2000 and 2020. It was also found that an average of nine adults died from a drug overdose each day in 2020. This state had a 40% increase in drug overdose deaths from the previous year. 

Seeking treatment from specialties such as physical therapy can help manage pain and reduce the increasing dependence on opioids. The American Physical Therapy Association reported that in 2019, there were about 6,310 employed physical therapists in North Carolina. This means the state has approximately 55 licensed physical therapists per 100,000 people.

Sources

American Physical Therapy Association[1]

American Physical Therapy Association[2]

Cleveland Clinic

MedicalNewsToday

WebMD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services[1]

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services[2]

North Carolina Opioid Settlements

America's Health Rankings

Houston Methodist

National Council on Aging

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.