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Who is a physical therapist?

A physical therapist is a healthcare provider qualified to evaluate and treat various pain-related body disorders. Also known as PTs, these healthcare professionals care for people of all ages, dealing with functional problems caused by injuries to the back or neck. They can also help with mobility issues caused by fractures, sprains, strains, amputations, arthritis, and neurological disorders like strokes or cerebral palsy. A physical therapist can also assist in managing and relieving pain caused by work or sports injuries and more complex conditions like cancer. 

Most physical therapists prefer combining patient education, exercise, and personalized care to aid patients. They can create treatment plans based on their patients' health goals and problems. Even if you want to improve your health and avoid future physiological issues, you can visit a physical therapist near you.

Physical therapists usually work in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools. They are often part of a larger healthcare team. Primary care doctors, neurologists, and orthopedists also refer patients to physical therapists for rehabilitation and recovery.

Education and training of physical therapists

Physical therapists must possess a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Most DPT programs require aspirants to have a bachelor's degree before gaining admission. Some DPT programs may also admit students who have pursued undergraduate courses for three years with a focus on physical therapy. These students will then have to complete a three-year DPT program. 

A DPT program extensively covers areas like biology, anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, musculoskeletal systems, and clinical reasoning. These programs employ classwork, lab study, and training within a clinical environment to educate aspiring therapists. DPT programs last for around three years, after which they can obtain a state license to practice. After graduation, physical therapists can pursue a clinical residency or clinical fellowship program to acquire more knowledge and experience. 

Physical therapists can become board-certified clinical specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. While certification is optional, many PTs choose to obtain it. Physical therapists can also specialize in geriatrics, pediatrics, sports, neurology, cardiovascular and pulmonary, women's health, orthopedics, oncology, wound management, and clinical electrophysiology.

What are the benefits of physical therapy?

If you are suffering from an illness or injury that adversely affects your functional ability, physical therapy can help. It can aid patients by:

• Facilitating recovery from trauma: Physical therapy can alleviate your symptoms if you have been in a car accident or have had a stroke. Your therapist can tailor treatment to improve flexibility, regain strength, and sometimes avoid surgery.
• Enhancing balance and mobility: Physical therapy can be used for preventive care and help older patients move around without relying on walkers or other devices. Improved balance can help them avoid tripping and prevent falls that can cause broken bones.
• Alleviating chronic pain: Irrespective of the cause of your chronic pain, physical therapy could help reduce its intensity through exercise and specific movements of affected joints. With treatment, you can also reduce your dependency on painkillers.
• Preventing the aggravation of any injury: Moving the wrong way can worsen the condition when you have suffered an injury or trauma. Sprains, muscle or ligament tears, and fractures must be allowed to heal correctly. Your therapist can teach you to stay mobile without exacerbating your injury or pain.
• Improving athletic performance: Physical therapy can help athletes and serious sportspersons enhance their performance on the field. Their therapist can guide them on using the right muscles and the best exercises to optimize flexibility and strength. 

What kind of treatments do physical therapists recommend?

The treatment your physical therapist chooses will depend on several factors, including your unique condition, individual needs, and rehabilitation objectives. Here are some common therapeutic modalities employed by physical therapists:

1. Heat and cold therapy: Heat therapy increases circulation to injured tissues, relaxes muscles, and relieves pain. Cold therapy decreases tissue temperature, reducing inflammation, pain, and swelling.

2. Ultrasound: Being a diagnostic test, this modality involves the transmission of high- or low-frequency sound waves. These can relax muscles and promote circulation in injured areas, contributing to healing.

3. Electrical stimulation: Electrical current can induce muscle contractions, aiding in muscle strengthening and enhancing blood supply to the affected area. These contractions can also assist in recovery.

4. Kinesiology taping (K-Tape): In this method, special cloth tape is applied to the body to reduce pain, improve circulation, or facilitate muscle function. Lately, K-Tape has gained popularity for its versatility in addressing various conditions.

5. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): TENS is a small, battery-operated device that delivers electrical impulses to alleviate pain. TENS units are valuable for managing pain in numerous conditions.

6. Light therapy: This therapy uses laser and light-emitting diodes, which give out light at specific wavelengths. It aids chronic pain, inflammation, and wound healing, promotes tissue recovery, and reduces discomfort.

7. Massages: Often referred to as soft tissue therapy, a massage focuses on relieving muscle and surrounding tissue tightness, improving flexibility, and enabling pain-free movement.

8. Phonophoresis: This technique is related to ultrasound and involves introducing medication through the skin and tissues using ultrasound waves. It is valuable in delivering medicines to affected muscles, tendons, or ligaments.

9. Iontophoresis: Like electrical stimulation, iontophoresis employs electrical currents to push medications through the skin, delivering them to targeted areas for therapeutic benefits.

10. Whirlpools: These are a form of hydrotherapy used to enhance circulation, maintain wound cleanliness, and control inflammation. Whirlpools can be hot or cold, depending on the intended healing effect.

11. Joint mobilization: Physical therapists may mobilize the joints by gently moving them in specific directions. This technique helps reduce pain and enhance a joint's range of motion.

12. Traction: This method can treat low back and neck pain. It aims to alleviate pain and enhance spinal mobility through passive joint movement.

How to find a qualified physical therapist near you in Denver?

Living with pain can be detrimental to one's quality of life. If you have painful joints or limbs, which may or may not have led to limited movement, a physical therapist can help. However, finding a qualified practitioner with sufficient experience can be challenging. But worry not; with Zocdoc, you can zero in on the right therapist from the comforts of your home. 

You can begin your search by creating a free account on the Zocdoc platform to start your search for a physical therapist in Denver. The convenient search filters allow you to find a suitable therapist by using criteria such as location, gender, and languages spoken. It is possible to search based on symptoms and insurance coverage, too. You could also narrow down on specialists, such as those who specifically treat children.

Our algorithm combs through an extensive database of healthcare professionals to give you a list of matches according to your preferences. You can then check individual profiles of physical therapists for details on experience, education, awards, expertise, and hospital affiliations. Zocdoc also provides regularly updated practitioner profiles with verified reviews and ratings by past patients to help you make an informed decision. You can even set up a virtual appointment if the physical therapist you want offers that service. 

The easy booking process lets you pick slots based on the doctor's availability and appointment timings. Some practitioners may be available on weekends or outside of regular business hours. 

Thus, booking appointments with a physical therapist near you on Zocdoc is simple, free, and secure! 

Statistics on physical therapists and the burden of disability in Colorado

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics of May 2021 indicates the existence of approximately 225,350 physical therapists nationwide. Of these, around 5,290 work in the state of Colorado. 

The statistics on people living with disabilities in Colorado, to some extent, explain the reason for the significant employment of physical therapists. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 851,596 adults in the state had a disability in 2020. This figure is nearly 20% of Colorado's population over 18. 

The same report shows roughly 7% of adults had mobility issues, while 5% could not live independently. Here, mobility is defined as difficulty walking or climbing stairs, having severe problems carrying out errands alone, such as visiting a doctor's office, and issues with independent living. Thus, to meet these needs, around 35% of the state's healthcare spending is related to disability.

Sources

WebMD

American Physical Therapy Association

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]

St. Luke’s Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Verywell Health

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.