Who is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists are experienced and licensed healthcare providers who use equipment and exercise regimens to treat a patient's irregular physical functioning and mobility-related issues. They evaluate the patient's condition, such as disease, disability, or injury, and provide appropriate and personalized treatment. They aim to improve an individual's range of movement and quality of life, preventing them from further injury or disability.
Physical therapists must acquire a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and complete the National Physical Therapy Examination before practicing. Some states may also require additional licensing or exams. Therapists often choose to specialize in a type of physical therapy. Some of them are:
- Orthopedic physical therapy: This tends to musculoskeletal conditions with joint mobilizations, strength training, mobility training, and other modalities.
- Geriatric physical therapy: This caters to older adults who are afflicted with conditions like osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, balance disorders, hip and joint replacement and incontinence. Geriatric physical therapy can reduce pain, restore mobility, and increase physical fitness levels.
- Neurological physical therapy: This therapy aims to improve movement patterns, strength, and balance for people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke and spinal cord injury.
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: These physical therapists aim to help increase muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
- Wound care therapy: This method uses manual treatments, e-stim, compression therapy, and wound care to ensure a certain injury receives enough blood and oxygen to recover.
- Vestibular therapy: This therapy involves using exercises and manual techniques to improve balance and coordination issues.
A physical therapist assists and takes care of patients through every phase, from the initial diagnosis to the therapeutic and preventive stages of recovery. Individuals can either be referred to a physical therapist by a doctor or seek therapy themselves.
Why is physical therapy necessary?
Physical therapists are well-versed in the human body; hence, if there is any deficiency in the body's movements, they can identify the root cause and treat it.
You may see a physical therapist near you in the following situations:
- Chronic pain management: A physical therapist helps manage chronic pain and improve daily functioning.
- Injury recovery: After an injury or post-surgery, specific body areas can weaken and require strengthening to work as close to normal. Physical therapy can target these areas and relieve pain.
- Neurological conditions: It addresses neurological conditions, improving mobility, balance, and coordination.
- Age-related problems: It helps improve mobility, strength, and independence in older adults.
- Work-related injuries: It aids in the recovery from work-related injuries.
- Sports injuries: It treats sports-related injuries and helps improve athletic performance.
- Rehabilitation for disabilities: It helps people with disabilities improve their motor skills and mobility.
- Rehabilitation after surgery: Physical therapy is the most effective solution for a stress-free recovery, particularly in post-operative care. This is because physical therapists know the body's limitations after a surgical procedure and can work towards a successful outcome. The treatment regimen targets the weakened areas and treats the pain source to improve the body's functioning and mobility.
Physical therapy offers pain relief, improved strength, mobility, flexibility, and increased balance and coordination. It also helps fast recovery from injuries and surgeries and prevents future movement problems. Overall, physical therapy enhances quality of life.
What are some conditions treated by physical therapy?
Physical therapy is a non-invasive rehabilitative discipline that enhances a person's health and quality of life. It combines treatments that include massage, specific exercises, stretching, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Because of various treatments, the list of conditions treated by physical therapy is comprehensive. Conditions that are managed in physical therapy are:
- Neurological disorders: Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis.
- Cardiopulmonary conditions: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, post-myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
- Sports injuries: Tennis elbow and concussion.
- Musculoskeletal disorders: Arthritis, muscular dystrophy, and rotator cuff tears.
- Conditions that affect the hand: Carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.
- Skin conditions or injuries: Burns and diabetic ulcers.
- Female health and pelvic floor dysfunction: Lymphedema and urinary incontinence.
- Pediatric conditions: Cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
How to prepare for the first physical therapist visit?
If you suffer from an injury or ailment that causes pain or difficulty with functional mobility, you will benefit from the proficient services of a physical therapist near you.
The first session with a physical therapist is called an initial evaluation. During this session, they will try to learn about your health condition, your previous level of functionality before the condition progressed, and how it affects your life. After that, they will take specific measurements of the impairments that are the reason behind the functionality issues and put together a treatment plan.
Before your initial evaluation, you should write down essential facts about your condition's history to ensure you get all the information. Some checklist questions can be:
1. When and how did your disorder begin?
2. What was your functional mobility status before your injury or disorder?
3. How often do your symptoms recur?
4. How is the disorder evolving?
5. What feels relaxing or distressing in terms of your disorder?
Also, remember to carry your past medications list and other past surgeries or procedures information. Given your constant movement and need for easier access to your target areas, you should ask your physical therapist what you should wear and if there is a space to change.
During the initial examination, common measurements are taken to understand your condition better. These measurements are related to balance, functional mobility, neurological screening tests, palpation, range of motion (ROM), and strength tests. Once the exam is complete, you can start your physical therapy treatment plan.
Occupational therapy vs. physical therapy
Physical and occupational therapy share many similarities but have distinct differences in their approach to a patient's rehabilitative care. One fundamental difference is that physical therapy improves patients' ability to move their bodies. In contrast, occupational therapy improves the patient's ability to perform activities in their day-to-day life. 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 or wants to do. They might alter the activity, environment, or person's skills. 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 might improve their skills by increasing positive coping strategies that allow them to function daily.
How to find the best physical therapist in Cedar Park?
Are you seeking a healthcare provider to help reduce pain or recover post-surgery in Cedar Park? Do you want to improve your mobility-related issues after an injury or illness? If so, an experienced and certified physical therapist can help you by providing the best treatment plan and exercises to enhance your quality of life. With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best physical therapist near you.
Perform a search by entering your location (Cedar Park, Texas), doctor's specialty (physical therapist), symptoms, insurance plan, and preferred appointment date. Once done, Zocdoc will show an extensive and filtered list of the best physical therapists in Cedar Park, matching your requirements.
At Zocdoc, transparency is very vital. Hence, each physical therapist's profile will include a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice location, visit reasons, and patient ratings and reviews.
Once you have chosen a physical therapist near you, you can book an in-person or video appointment based on your doctor's availability. Booking appointments using Zocdoc is simple, accessible, and secure!
Physical health in Cedar Park, Texas
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Health Interview Survey shows about 20.4% of adults were affected with chronic pain in 2019. In the past three months, roughly 7.4% of adults had pain that limited their work or life activities (high-impact chronic pain). Moreover, chronic and high-impact chronic pain seems to increase with age and is highest among older adults (65 and above).
Other than chronic pain, physical therapists also treat various medical conditions like arthritis. According to the United Health Foundation, in 2021, approximately 21.3% of the adult population of Texas was diagnosed with arthritis. Out of which, about 24.9% were women, and 17.5% were men, indicating that arthritis was more prevalent in women in that year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas had the second-highest employment level for physical therapists. In 2022, there were approximately 16,280 physical therapists.
Sources
International Spine, Pain & Performance Center
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
United Health Foundation
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Verywell Health
XCell Orthopaedics Physical Therapy
Cleveland Clinic
MedicalNewsToday
Healthline
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
