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Who is a physical therapist?

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who treat impediments to day-to-day activities caused by body movement issues. These issues may result from injuries, chronic conditions, or diseases.

Physical therapists can improve mobility and help reduce pain, helping patients avoid surgery or medication. They design individualized treatment plans, which mainly consist of different therapies. They work in various settings, including patients' homes, hospitals, clinics, schools, colleges, fitness and sports facilities, office settings, nursing homes, home health agencies, etc.

Physical therapists can help reduce pain from conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, back and neck pain, and multiple sclerosis. They treat people of all ages and are well-equipped to tend to pain caused by fibromyalgia, brain injury, cancer-related complications, cerebral palsy, and fractures.

What kinds of treatments do physical therapists provide?

Physical therapists may recommend exercise routines that one can perform at home. They demonstrate how to do these exercises and what to avoid. They may also provide guided movements or massages to help manage the pain. Other treatments they may offer include electrical currents, ultrasound, heat, or cold, which act as physical stimuli. The type of exercise or therapy they recommend depends on each patient's problem and symptoms.

Education and training of physical therapists

Aspiring physical therapists must complete their graduation and enroll in an accredited program to gain a Doctor of Physical Therapist (DPT) degree. During their DPT, they study biomechanics, biology/anatomy, behavioral sciences, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, and kinesiology and do lab studies to gain clinical experience. About 80% of the program involves classroom and lab study, and 20% involves clinical education. It takes a student around 27.5 weeks to complete their last clinical rotation.

A stringent state examination follows the three-year program to obtain a license to practice. Some institutes offer a 3+3 curricular format consisting of a three-year pre-professional undergraduate course and a three-year DPT program.

After gaining a license, some physical therapists may prefer to specialize in a particular area by pursuing a residency or fellowship program. It is the gold standard in physical therapy, ensuring they have the best knowledge and training. They can also become board-certified by clearing an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties examination.

Physical therapy subspecialties

Physical therapy (PT) encompasses various subspecialties, including:

• Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy: It focuses on rehabilitation for individuals with heart and lung conditions such as heart attacks, angina, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Programs aim to enhance cardiovascular endurance and pulmonary function.
• Decongestive physical therapy: Known as complete decongestive therapy (CDT), this therapy treats lymphedema—a condition involving lymph node damage resulting from cancer treatments.
• Geriatric physical therapy: Specializing in treating older people, geriatric PTs address age-related movement and functional issues, promoting mobility and enhancing quality of life.
• Neurological physical therapy: This type benefits individuals with neurological conditions or injuries. Patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, or dealing with diseases like Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis can improve movement, balance, and function with targeted neurological physical therapy.
• Orthopedic physical therapy (PT): Focused on the musculoskeletal system, orthopedic PT assists in recovering from fractures, sports injuries, and post-surgical recovery. It involves exercises and treatments to restore movement, strength, and flexibility.
• Pediatric physical therapy is for infants and children. It addresses developmental issues and medical conditions that affect mobility and motor skills. Therapists work to enhance growth, development, and functional independence in young patients.
• Pelvic floor rehabilitation strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, helping to manage conditions like urinary incontinence and certain sexual health issues. It's beneficial for people experiencing pelvic discomfort or dysfunction.
• Sports physical therapy (PT): Aimed at athletes, sports PT aids in recovery from sports-related injuries and enhances performance. It includes injury prevention strategies and rehabilitation exercises to optimize physical capabilities.
• Vestibular and balance therapy: Vestibular and balance therapy can improve stability and coordination for those suffering from dizziness or balance issues.
• Wound care therapy focuses on healing and managing surgical wounds or other injuries. Physical therapists ensure proper wound healing and help restore normal movement, reducing complications and enhancing recovery.

Each subspecialty is tailored to meet a patient's unique needs, ensuring comprehensive care and effective rehabilitation across various health conditions.

When should you visit a physical therapist?

You should consult a physical therapist near you if you experience pain during body movement or wish to prevent future injuries or discomfort. For example, if you find walking difficult due to a recent surgery or injury or are a sportsperson who wants to avoid injury or pain, physical therapists can help with issues caused by wear-and-tear of the joints, tendons, and muscles, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, respiratory disease, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, or even development problems in children.

What conditions do physical therapists treat?

Physical therapists address conditions impacting regular body movements or limiting everyday activities. They commonly address the following conditions:

• Back pain: Physical therapists can address acute and chronic back pain, ranging from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Estimates suggest that back pain affects 80% to 90% of people in the U.S. at some point and often leads to frequent work absences.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: This condition presents as a tingling sensation, pain, numbness, and weakness in the wrist and hand.
• Trigger finger: Trigger finger causes difficulty with finger or thumb movement, effectively reducing flexibility. It is named after the finger's appearance, which resembles an attempt to pull an invisible trigger.
• Lymphedema: Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic system is compromised, leading to swelling in various body parts. Excess fluid, proteins, and toxins accumulate in the cells and tissues, which the lymphatic system collects typically and returns to the bloodstream.
• Rotator cuff tears: The shoulder, a ball-and-socket joint, is prone to rotator cuff tears, where tendons detach from the arm bone. These tears can occur due to overuse or other injuries.
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury: When someone tears a knee ligament connecting the upper and lower leg bones, it results in an ACL injury, which provides stability to the knee.
• Stress fractures: A stress fracture results from continuous overuse, creating weak spots or small cracks in the bone. Stress fractures frequently manifest in the foot, especially in runners, following training for sports like basketball and running. The metatarsal bones in the midfoot are particularly susceptible to stress fractures.
• Ankle ligament tears: Ankle ligament tears, more severe forms of ankle sprains, occur during high-energy ankle incidents, such as car accidents, falls, significant sports injuries, and ankle dislocations.

What should you expect when visiting a physical therapist?

Your primary care provider (PCP) might recommend you see a physical therapist near you. When visiting a physical therapist for the first time, you should carry a list of your medications and symptoms. The physical therapist will ask about the problem and your medical history and look at any notes from the referring physician or available test results.

Once they understand the issue, they may ask you to stand, walk, and move your limbs to study their mobility. They will ask you how severe the pain is and whether it is dull or sharp and recommend a treatment plan consisting of exercises you need to perform daily. They may recommend hands-on therapy and equipment to ease the pain. If the exercises hurt, you need to inform the physical therapist so they can change the routines or recommend other treatments.

You may have to revisit the physical therapist to assess your progress and check for any exercises that need to be varied. If there is no improvement, they may change the therapy and offer new treatments.

Tips to keep your musculoskeletal system healthy

A healthy musculoskeletal system is vital for body structure, movement, and protection. It directly affects the quality of life and helps prevent injuries and chronic conditions. 

Here are some ways to keep your musculoskeletal system healthy:

• Stay away from smoking: Smoking lowers the amount of oxygen available to muscles, limiting exercise tolerance. Hence, it is important to quit smoking and stay away from other tobacco products.
• Include weight-bearing exercise and stretching in your daily routine: Weight-bearing exercise helps keep your muscles strong and in shape. Add a stretching routine of at least 20 minutes before your workout. It improves muscle, tendon, and ligament flexibility. Better flexibility equates to enhanced range of motion, reduced risk of injury, improved athletic performance, and increased comfort in daily activities.
• Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly: Research indicates that people over 50 with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are about twice as likely to have chronic back pain.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Unhealthy, extra body weight can cause body misalignment, putting undue stress on bones, discs, ligaments, and tendons. Maintaining a healthy BMI helps avoid back and leg pain, body stiffness, and limited mobility, especially for older adults.
• Get proper sleep: Quality sleep is the foundation of good health. It also affects the health of your musculoskeletal system by giving the body time to repair and build new muscle tissue.
• Practice good posture: Good posture is important for proper body alignment. While standing, ensure you are straight and tall, keeping your shoulders back, pulling your stomach in, putting the weight mostly on the balls of your feet, keeping your head level, and keeping your feet about shoulder-width apart. Most Americans spend much time sitting at school, work, or at home. It is crucial to sit correctly and to take frequent breaks. Switch sitting positions often, take brief walks around your office or home, and gently stretch your muscles every so frequently to help relieve muscle tension.

Moreover, it is best to consult a specialist, like a physical therapist, for personalized advice.

How can you find the best physical therapist near you in Fairfax?

Pain or injury can affect you anytime, and immediate medical attention is needed. However, finding a reliable and experienced physical therapist can be challenging. Zocdoc can help you find some of the best physical therapists in Fairfax, Virginia, within minutes.

Enter your symptoms, location, preferred date for your appointment, and insurance details to begin your search. Our top priority is keeping your insurance information safe; we follow industry best practices to protect it. Learn more about Zocdoc's data and privacy policies here. For more information, you can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center.

After entering your preferences, you will receive a list of providers matching your criteria, which you can filter based on their gender, hospital affiliations, languages they speak, and whether they treat children. Each listed specialist has a unique profile where you can read about their education and credentials. Provider profiles are very detailed, which helps you make a wise decision.

You can also access verified reviews and ratings from previous patients to understand the provider's practice better. You can make an appointment in person or online. Once you have picked a desired physical therapist near you, you can instantly schedule an in-person or virtual consultation at your convenience.

All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, secure, and free!

Statistics on physical therapists and chronic conditions in Virginia

Physical therapists can help reduce pain and solve mobility problems caused by arthritis, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and sports injuries. They can help with muscle strains, pelvic pain, plantar fasciitis, Parkinson's disease, and post-operative rehabilitation.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2024, there were 248,630 physical therapists in the country. Of these, 6,700 were in Virginia, which shows increased demand due to the state's rapid economic expansion.

America's Health Rankings stated that about 27.0% of adults in Virginia (in line with the national average) were diagnosed with some form of arthritis in 2023. More women (30.4%) than men (23.4%) were diagnosed with the condition. The incidence of the disease also increased with age, with 53.1% of those over 65 diagnosed with arthritis. The percentage was lower in those aged 45-64 (34.1%) and those aged 18-44 (9.2%).

The same source also showed that in 2023, about 11.8% of adults in the state were diagnosed with diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes and prediabetes). Men (11.9%) had a slightly higher chance of being diagnosed with the condition than women (11.7%). The condition's prevalence increased with age, with 25.4% of those over 65 diagnosed with diabetes, while only 15.0% aged 45-64 and 2.9% aged 18-44 had it.

Sources

ExploreHealthCareers.org

Cleveland Clinic

Stanford Health Care

American Physical Therapy Association

Nemours KidsHealth

National Center for Biotechnology Information

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

America’s Health Rankings[1]

America’s Health Rankings[2]

WebMD

Cook County

Mayo Clinic

MedlinePlus

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.