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Who is a physical therapist?

As a healthcare professional, a physical therapist assists individuals in leading active and healthy lives. They help you recover from injuries and treat patients of all age groups. People consult a physical therapist for advice on a healthier lifestyle and preventive care. They primarily treat injuries that affect:

1. Musculoskeletal system
2. Neurological system
3. Cardiopulmonary system
4. Integumentary system

They provide healthcare services at hospitals, athletic facilities, private practice clinics, continuing care & retirement facilities, school settings, and long-term care facilities. They are known as movement specialists and often recommend improving your quality of life through exercise and hands-on care. They examine patients, understand their concerns, and develop a treatment plan for improving mobility. They provide aid in reducing pain and preventing disability. They help people lead active lives and achieve fitness goals.

Chiropractors v/s physical therapists

Chiropractors and physical therapists share a dedication to relieving chronic pain and enhancing mobility but approach treatment differently. Chiropractors align the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine, to reduce pain and improve joint function. They may recommend lifestyle changes and therapeutic massages tailored to the individual's needs.

After thorough assessment and diagnosis, physical therapists focus on restoring strength, mobility, and functionality through exercises, stretches, and posture correction. Both professions offer personalized care to promote overall wellness and pain management.

What does a physical therapist do?

When you consult a specialist offering the best physical therapy near you, they first perform a physical examination to understand your issues better. Usually, a physical therapist may:

1. Give ears to your concerns to help you with the best treatment.
2. Observe your ability to stand, walk, and perform specific tasks.
3. Provide a treatment plan based on your current condition and predicted outcomes.
4. Provide treatment plans that include stretching, exercising, hands-on techniques, and different equipment.
5. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and monitor support staff.
6. Restore the functionality of body parts and increase motion range.
7. Use of therapeutic aids like kinesthetic tape, electrical stimulation, etc.
8. Offer assistance with the use of supportive devices like canes and crutches.
9. Document and review your progress.

Education and training of a physical therapist

Aspiring physical therapists must complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education program. The DPT programs take over three years to complete. They earn knowledge in specific subjects like biology, physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, cellular histology, neuroscience, exercise physiology, pathology, kinesiology, communication, behavioral sciences, sociology, clinical reasoning, management sciences, evidence-based practices, endocrine, and metabolic functions.

Most DPT programs require the candidate to complete a bachelor's degree to be eligible. In some instances, students take education in a 3+3 program. Here, the candidates spend three years on a bachelor's degree and three years on the DPT program. The curriculum of a DPT program consists of 80% classroom and lab study and the remaining 20% clinical education. Students will complete 27 weeks of final clinical experience.

To gain more experience and specialty, licensed physical therapists choose to do a clinical fellowship or clinical residency. These programs help them achieve clinical expertise in the defined practice area. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities does not require certification to become a board-certified clinical specialist.

Various types of physical therapy

There are various types of physical therapy, and therapists often specialize in these areas. They encompass:

1. Orthopedic physical therapy: Therapists address musculoskeletal injuries, including those involving bones, muscles, fascia, ligaments, and tendons. This treatment is appropriate for conditions like fractures, sprains, tendinitis, bursitis, chronic health issues, and rehabilitation or recovery from orthopedic surgery. Patients may receive therapies such as joint mobilizations, manual therapy, strength training, mobility training, and various other modalities.
2. Geriatric physical therapy: This assists older adults with conditions affecting their mobility and physical function, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, and incontinence. The aim is to improve mobility, alleviate pain, and boost physical fitness.
3. Neurological physical therapy: It cares for individuals with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Treatment aims to increase limb responsiveness, improve movement patterns, manage muscle tone, enhance strength, and promote balance.
4. Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: Beneficial for those with certain cardiopulmonary conditions and post-surgical procedures, therapy can improve muscular and cardiovascular endurance and stamina.
5. Wound care therapy: It ensures healing wounds receive adequate oxygen and blood through enhanced circulation. Physical therapy may involve manual treatments, e-stim, compression therapy, and wound care techniques.
6. Vestibular therapy: Geared towards addressing balance problems stemming from inner ear conditions. Vestibular physical therapy includes exercises and manual processes to help patients regain balance and coordination.
7. Decongestive therapy: It helps drain accumulated fluid in patients with lymphedema involving fluid retention.
8. Pelvic floor rehabilitation: It helps manage pelvic floor disorders, like fecal or urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, and pelvic pain resulting from injuries, surgery, or particular medical conditions.

When does one visit a physical therapist?

Physical therapist services will remain essential for individuals with movement dysfunction due to chronic disorders like diabetes and obesity. They also play a crucial role in offering their expertise in rehabilitating patients with such concerns. If you have a physical functional limitation, your doctor may recommend a physical therapist near you. Other conditions that will require you to consult a practitioner:

1. Sports injuries
2. Herniated discs
3. Rotator cuff repair
4. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction
5. Other orthopedic issues 

How physical therapists help manage ACL tears

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a common knee injury, especially among athletes and active individuals. The ACL is a key ligament that connects the femur to the shin bone (tibia), stabilizing the knee joint. Sudden twisting motions, abrupt stops while running, shifting weight from one leg to another, landing awkwardly from a jump, overstretching the knee, or a direct hit to the knee might cause an ACL tear. A physical therapist near you is essential in non-surgical and surgical treatment approaches, helping patients regain mobility, strength, and function.

After diagnosing an ACL tear, a surgeon and physical therapist collaborate with the patient to determine the most suitable treatment plan—surgical or non-surgical. When surgery isn't required, physical therapists help restore muscle strength, balance, and agility and teach activity modifications to reduce stress on the knee.

Non-surgical recovery

Some patients—termed "copers"—can recover without surgery if the ACL is the only damaged structure and the knee remains stable. Physical therapists evaluate such individuals and create personalized rehabilitation programs.These may include electrical stimulation for the quadriceps, muscle strengthening, and balance training to regain function safely.

Pre-surgical rehabilitation

When surgery is necessary, pre-surgical physical therapy prepares the knee by reducing swelling, increasing mobility, and strengthening the quadriceps. Surgeons often recommend rehabilitation routines to ensure better post-surgical outcomes.

Post-surgical rehabilitation

Physical therapists implement individualized treatment plans following surgery based on the surgeon's guidelines and the patient's goals.It helps the therapists curate a plan specific to an individuals’ need. Early interventions can also help, they include:

• Bracing, if prescribed, to restrict unnecessary motion 
• Movement exercises to improve mobility and blood flow and thus allowing quicker healing
• Weight-bearing guidance using crutches and gradually increasing knee usage
• Ice and compression therapy to minimize swelling
• Electrical stimulation to restore quadriceps strength and motion

What to expect at your first visit to a physical therapist?

Your initial appointment with a physical therapist will last about one hour. During this time, your therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, reviewing your medical history, any relevant diagnostic tests, and recent events that may have impacted your condition.

Hence, gathering critical information about your condition is essential before your first physical therapy appointment. Writing down details ensures you don't overlook crucial facts during your session. Here's what to prepare:

1. Document how and when your issue started.
2. Describe your ability to perform daily tasks like stair climbing or lifting groceries before the injury.
3. Note how frequently symptoms occur and any changes in the problem.
4. Identify factors that improve or worsen your symptoms.

Bring a list of your medications, including any that may affect your sensitivity to cold, heat, or light, as these can impact your therapy. Additionally, inform your physical therapist about any chronic health conditions, surgeries, or medical procedures you've undergone.

This information helps your physical therapist tailor a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs effectively.

Where can you find a practitioner in Chicago, IL, offering the best physical therapy near you?

You might visit a physical therapist for various reasons like improving your mobility, recovering from injuries, and even for preventive care. But where can you find a physical therapist near you to provide such specialized care? You can now find qualified and trained practitioners through Zocdoc.

Register yourself for free on the website and use the 'Search Bar' to find specialists depending on your symptoms, medical conditions, preferred location, appointment date, and even acceptance of your insurance policy. The website will list the best physical therapists in and around Chicago, Illinois. You can also filter them by their gender, language, etc.

At Zocdoc, safeguarding your privacy is a top priority, and we adhere to industry best practices to protect your information. For more details on how we handle data privacy, visit our information security page. If you have additional questions about insurance, explore the resources available in Zocdoc's Patient Help Center.

On selecting a physical therapist listed, Zocdoc will show you a unique profile page with all their information. It includes their educational background, affiliations, certifications, awards, licensure, etc. You can also see what areas they specialize in, what age group they treat, and consultation timings to book your appointment accordingly. You can book an in-person visit or a video call consultation with your choice of a specialist offering the best physical therapy near you.

All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, user-friendly, and free of cost! 

Statistics on physical therapists in Chicago, Illinois

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois had 135 fatal workplace accidents in 2020. A peak of 262 fatal occupational injuries occurred in the state in 1996 and a low of 135 in 2020. The number of fatal occupational injuries dropped to 4,764 in 2020, the lowest yearly since 2013.

The Illinois Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) report that about 60% of physical therapists in Illinois worked in hospitals and health practitioners' offices. Others worked in the home healthcare services industry, outpatient care centers, physician clinics, and nursing care facilities. Some physical therapists choose research as their profession, and some teach in academic institutions. The report suggests that employment in the field can grow by 34% between 2014 and 2024.

In 2020, the number of physical therapists employed in Illinois was 9,450 and might grow to 10,390 by 2030. It shows that there will be an approximate increase of 10% in the physical therapist employment sector. The field will have around 500 new job openings yearly due to growth and net replacement.

Sources

WebMD

Medical News Today

American Physical Therapy Association

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Illinois Physical Therapy Association

Illinois Area Health Education Centers

ATI Health

Verywell Health

Healthline

ChoosePT 

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.