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Who is a physical therapist?

Physical therapists help manage illnesses or injuries to the bones and muscles, neurological system (brain), and cardiopulmonary system (heart and lungs). Physical therapists can treat people of all age groups and advise them on becoming healthier and preventing diseases. You can receive the best physical therapy in your nearest hospitals, long-term care facilities, athletics facilities, schools, and clinics.

Physical therapists earn their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree via the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education program before practicing in the United States. During this post-graduation program, which takes around three years to complete, practitioners develop an understanding of biology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and communication. 

After getting licensed, physical therapists can gain more experience by enrolling in residency or clinical fellowship programs. They can also become board-certified through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Physical therapists can specialize in various focus areas like oncology, cardiovascular and pulmonology, geriatrics, orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, and sports.

What does a physical therapist do?

The specialist will start the treatment by performing a physical examination to understand your issues. Once diagnosed with the condition, they will choose some exercises or stretches and proceed. They will concentrate on restoring your functionality by improving your movements and increasing the range of motion in specific areas of your body. Regular physical therapy can help to reduce the current or future need for surgery or prescription drugs. 

Communication plays a vital role in the treatment. The physical therapist will hear your concerns and develop an individualized care plan from their observations of your conditions, considering the outcomes you want to achieve or expect. They will utilize different therapeutic aids like electrical stimulation machines or kinesthetic tape. The specialist will assist you if you need supportive devices like a crutch or cane. They will also document the entire process and your progress throughout the treatment. 

Subspecialties within physical therapy

Understanding the various subspecialties within the field of physical therapy provides valuable insight into how each specialized therapist can address specific healthcare needs. This knowledge is instrumental in selecting the most suitable physical therapist near you to cater to individual requirements.

• Orthopedic physical therapy treats musculoskeletal disorders, encompassing injuries like sprains, fractures, bursitis, and tendonitis. These therapists are adept at assisting patients through rehabilitation after orthopedic surgeries or sports injuries. Moreover, they play an essential role in supporting individuals managing arthritis or recovering from limb amputations, facilitating mobility and independence restoration.
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation is essential for patients recovering from cardiac events or surgeries. Physical therapists specializing in this domain focus on improving mobility and endurance in individuals who have experienced heart attacks or undergone cardiac or pulmonary procedures.
• Neurological physical therapy targets patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. These therapists also aid individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries in restoring balance and limb function.
• Pediatric physical therapy addresses the needs of children with conditions like spina bifida, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and torticollis. Therapists in this field help children overcome challenges related to strength, balance, coordination, and cognitive and sensory reactions to enhance gross and fine motor skills.
• Geriatric physical therapy deals with ailments of the aging population, aiming to improve fitness levels while alleviating pain and discomfort. Therapists specializing in geriatrics assist individuals dealing with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, balance disorders, cancer, incontinence, and osteoporosis. They also aid patients undergoing hip and joint replacements in regaining mobility and balance.

Each subspecialty within physical therapy caters to specific patient demographics and conditions, offering tailored interventions to address unique needs. By understanding these subspecialties, individuals can ensure they receive a streamlined treatment approach from their doctor.

What are the common conditions that physical therapy can help?

A physical therapist near you provides supplementary treatment for various medical conditions depending on their specialty. However, they may not treat ailments other than pure musculoskeletal conditions independently. They will work on optimizing the recovery and educate the patient on improving their movement patterns. 

Some common conditions that physical therapy can manage are:

• Cardiopulmonary illnesses like cystic fibrosis or post-heart failure
• Conditions affecting the movement of the hand, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, which manifests as numbness and tingling in the palm of the hands and fingers
• Musculoskeletal dysfunctions like arthritis, back pain, or a torn rotator cuff that affect the movement of the body
• Temporomandibular joint disorders that impact the jaw joint, causing discomfort and restricted movement in the jaw
• Neurological conditions include stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injuries.
• Pediatric conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass
• Sports-related injuries like concussions and tennis elbow
• Skin conditions such as diabetic ulcers or burns
• Female health issues such as urinary incontinence or pelvic floor dysfunctions

Why should you see a physical therapist near you?

It is recommended you visit the best physical therapist near you to enhance mobility and recover faster from surgeries or conditions like arthritis, herniated discs, sports injuries, or other orthopedic issues. Some of the reasons to consult a physical therapist other than improving your mobility are:

• To avoid surgery - In most cases, surgery is the last resort for healthcare professionals. However, physical therapy reduces pain and improves movements in patients who opt out of surgery. 
• To receive preventive care - Although physical therapy is considered mainly after suffering an injury, physical therapists can help individuals in the sports field learn how to avoid injuries and become more aware of their movements.

How do physical therapists help relieve lower back pain?

Exercises and other therapies under the direction of a physical therapist are the best courses of action for treating most back pains. You can get help from physical therapists in the following ways:

• Repetitive motions - A routine of repetitive motions may be beneficial if the issue is because of the pressure on a nerve from spinal stenosis or a disc bulge. When a part of one of the cushioning discs in the spine presses against surrounding nerves, it causes a bulging disc. Spinal stenosis may cause nerve impingement, which narrows the nerves' pathways. Usually, these illnesses cause back pain that spreads to the lower extremities. Numbness, tingling, and leg weakness are also symptoms of a bulging disc or spinal stenosis. Some patients experience leg pain more than back pain. McKenzie's exercises, which involve repetitive motions, might provide pain relief. These exercises have a lot of variations. For instance, leaning backward during exercises will assist in reducing pressure on the nerves if bending forward aggravates the discomfort. Similarly, forward-bending exercises will be most effective if bending backward worsens the pain, which is common in spinal stenosis.

• Stabilization - Stabilization exercises fall within the second category of treatment techniques. They are for patients whose spines move oddly or who experience pain when carrying out particular movements, including turning over or getting up from a chair. If the deep abdominal muscles that provide spinal stability deteriorate or function incorrectly, the spine may move improperly. Stabilizing exercises aim to retrain the deep muscles by demonstrating to the patients the proper usage of abdominal and spinal muscles that support the spine.

• Manipulation/mobilization - A physical therapist may perform mobilization or manipulation on patients with spinal stiffness. Chiropractors also use these methods often. Osteoarthritis is one of the reasons for spinal stiffness. The practitioner places the body in the proper alignment before delivering quick, thrusting strokes over a joint during manipulation. The physical therapist again puts the patients in a similar position during mobilization; however, it is a slower and softer process that includes gentle strokes.

What should you expect at a physical therapy session?

When preparing for your first physical therapy appointment, it's helpful to jot down key details about the history of your condition to ensure you remember everything important. Here are some questions you may want to prepare answers for, as your therapist will likely ask them:

• When and how did the issue start?
• How well were you able to do daily tasks, like climbing stairs or carrying groceries, before the injury?
• How often do you experience symptoms?
• Have you noticed any changes in the problem over time?
• What tends to make the symptoms better or worse?

Bring a list of any medications you're taking, as some may make you sensitive to cold, heat, or sunlight, which could affect your therapy. Be ready to discuss any chronic health conditions, surgeries, or medical procedures you've had as well.

Once you've shared your background, your physical therapist will perform an examination, focusing on aspects that could be linked to or impacted by your condition. This exam may include:

• Palpation (feeling for tenderness or abnormalities)
• Range of motion (ROM) measurements
• Strength tests
• Functional mobility assessments
• Balance checks
• Neurological screenings

During the exam, your therapist will likely point out factors that may be improving or aggravating your symptoms. Afterward, they'll create a treatment plan with you, outlining goals and the expected path for your rehabilitation to help reduce pain and enhance mobility.

Where can I get the best physical therapy near me?

Visiting a physical therapist helps you manage painful diseases and improves the functionality and mobility of the affected parts of your body. They can help you address pain from an injury or surgery through exercise and other techniques. The physical therapist will also motivate you to enhance your health and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Finding a certified and experienced physical therapist near you in Cincinnati, Ohio, is crucial to improving your condition when seeking the best physical therapy near you. However, getting an appointment with them can be a bit of a hassle. Zocdoc is a platform that solves those problems for you. To book an appointment, visit the website, enter your location and condition/symptoms in the search bar, and click 'find.' A list of top-rated specialists in the area will be made available, along with an option to book a free in-person or online appointment based on the practitioner's availability.

You can opt to pay for the treatment through your health plan. Include your insurance carrier's name in the search, and Zocdoc will show you the best physical therapists who accept your plan. You can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account.

When searching for and booking an appointment, you can only use one insurance plan at a time. If you have more than one insurance plan, you can include your secondary plan information in the provider notes during the last step of booking.

If your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can also add secondary insurance information while filling out your forms online. For more questions about insurance, visit Zocdoc’s insurance page.

All appointment bookings with Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free. 

Prevalence of arthritis in Ohio and the U.S.

Arthritis is one of the conditions that physical therapy can address. According to the 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, almost one in four (around 23.7%) people over 18 years old have arthritis in the U.S. as of 2021. The illness is more common in women (about 23.5%) than men (approximately 18.1%).

The condition isn't any better in Ohio. According to America's Health Rankings, nearly 38.2% of people aged 45 to 64 and about 11.7% of people aged 18 to 44 in Ohio have arthritis (2022). However, the number increases manifold for people over 60. Almost 57.6% of the population over 60 have arthritis in Ohio.

Sources

​​WebMD

MedicalNewToday

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

America's Health Rankings

VeryWell Health[1]

VeryWell Health[2]

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.