Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists are healthcare providers who are movement experts. They can provide hands-on care and patient education while also prescribing exercises. Their practice focuses on relieving pain, increasing ease of movement, restoring functionality, and protecting body parts from further damage. Physical therapists of all age groups, from newborns to individuals approaching the end of their lives, diagnose patients and administer treatment. Their clientele may include people who suffer from any injury or disability, a health condition, or those who want to become healthier and avoid future complications. Physical therapists can help people lead more active lives and achieve their fitness goals.
They can practice in various settings, such as schools, fitness facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, workplaces, etc. To become eligible to practice as a physical therapist, one must acquire a doctor of physical therapy degree from an accredited institution and clear a state licensure examination. Such a program generally lasts for three years. An aspiring physical therapist spends these years gaining extensive knowledge of physiology, biology, anatomy, pathology, kinesthesiology, exercise physiology, etc.
What does physical therapy consist of?
A physical therapist can typically help with strokes, fractures, arthritis, amputations, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. Physical therapists perform therapy to alleviate pain and treat its source. They will add stress to the areas of your body that hurt to ascertain the stiff or weak parts. Subsequently, through exercises, they will help you move better and with reduced pain. During a physical therapy session, they may combine various activities, such as:
- Strengthening exercises: Using machines, resistance bands, or your body weight, physical therapists will help you become stronger. They will work on your core, glutes, belly, back, and other body parts. Some exercises may include squats, lunges, pushups, etc.
- Low-impact aerobic training: These workouts are specially designed to promote movement but are also easy on the joints. Some examples include walking fast instead of running, using a stationary bike, etc.
- Pain relief exercises: To enhance your quality of life, your physical therapist will devise specific exercise plans depending on your body's problem areas. These generally promote strength and flexibility.
- Stretching: During physical therapy, gentle stretching is vital to help your body warm up. Your physical therapist will monitor the movements to ensure it is manageable.
- Massage: These may be less relaxing as your physical therapist will work on painful areas due to injury or soreness. They can, however, help to reduce the pain. If you are opting for someone other than a physical therapist and suffer from pain, it is advisable to let your masseuse know.
- Ultrasound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): An ultrasound comprises sound waves directed at the pain site. TENS, on the other hand, sends low-voltage current to the body part that hurts. Both these mechanisms are helpful in pain reduction as they block the pain signals that go to your brain.
What types of conditions do physical therapists address?
Physical therapists have the expertise to address and manage conditions that affect regular body movements or hinder everyday activities. Some prevalent conditions that physical therapists near you can treat include:
- Back pain: Back pain may occur in either an acute form, lasting briefly, or in a chronic manner, persisting or recurring over time. It varies from mild discomfort to severe, unbearable pain. Experts estimate that back pain affects 80% to 90% of individuals in the United States at some point, often causing frequent work absences.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: This condition induces pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and wrist.
- Trigger finger: Trigger finger results in difficulty moving the fingers or thumb, essentially "locking" their flexibility. It gets its name from a finger resembling someone trying to squeeze an invisible trigger.
- Lymphedema: Any disruption to the lymphatic system can result in lymphedema, which presents as swelling in various body parts. Excess fluid, proteins, and toxins accumulate in cells and tissues, which generally the lymphatic system collects and returns to the bloodstream.
- Rotator cuff tears: The shoulder, functioning as a ball-and-socket joint, resembles a golf ball on a tee. Rotator cuff tears occur when tendons detach from the arm bone. These tears can result from overuse or other injuries.
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: This condition leads to discomfort, loss of sensation, a tingling sensation, and diminished strength in the hand and wrist.
- Concussion: A concussion can occur when a strong body impact disrupts normal brain function, such as from a head bump, violent jolt, or blow that forcefully moves the head backward, forward, or sideways.
- Spinal cord injury: The spinal cord functions as a communication bridge between the body and the brain. Layers of tissue called meninges and a column of vertebrae formed by the spinal bones safeguard the spinal cord. Most of these injuries occur due to sudden and forceful impacts on the vertebrae. These impacts result in fractures that, in turn, cause damage to the spinal cord and connecting nerves. These fractures are typically a result of forceful and abrupt collisions.
Physical therapists possess the skills to effectively treat these conditions and help patients regain their quality of life.
What is sciatica?
Sciatic pain transverses across the sciatic nerve, traveling from the lower back through the hips and the legs. It occurs when a herniated disk or overgrowth of a bone creates stress on any part of the nerve. Other causes may include tumors, spinal stenosis, pelvic injury, fractures, etc., which lead to pain, numbness, and inflammation in the leg that is affected.
The severity of the condition varies from mild to chronic, and it may show improvement with a few weeks of treatment or necessitate surgical intervention. Often, pain from sciatica may be in the form of sharp and burning pain, electric shock, or jolt. This pain can be tingly or numb and can worsen after sitting for long periods or while coughing or sneezing. Sciatica generally only affects one side of the body. It is more likely to affect men between the ages of 30 to 50 years.
You must consult a physical therapist for sciatica if you experience:
- Weak or abnormal reflexes
- Loss of sensation
- Weakness while bending the knees
- Discomfort in leaning forward or backward
- Challenges in turning the foot downward or inward
- Pain while lifting legs straight up
If the pain is severe, your physical therapist may undertake blood tests, an X-ray, MRI, or other imaging tests.
Finding a top-rated physical therapist near you
Are you in constant discomfort due to pain or a condition limiting your mobility but unsure what to do? Open Zocdoc and find the best physical therapist near you!
To do so, you must enter your symptoms, location, and insurance carrier, and a list of active physical therapists near you will appear. Each medical professional on Zocdoc has a distinctive profile to help you analyze your options. This personalized bio includes details about their training, specialization, services provided, areas of interest, languages spoken, gender, etc.
After creating a shortlist, you can rely on verified reviews left by previous patients to make an informed decision. Once you have decided upon a practitioner, you can book an in-person or virtual consultation via Zocdoc. Bookings can be made quickly, securely, and at no additional cost.
Physical therapy statistics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported as of May 2022 that there were around 14,970 active physical therapists in Florida. The state ranked fourth among the states with the highest number of practicing physical therapists.
As per data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), in 2021, about 39.1% of all Floridians faced limitations in their day-to-day chores due to arthritis. The problem was more severe amongst women, around 42.4%, whereas in men, the prevalence rate was nearly 35.1%.
Fort Lauderdale, in Florida, is the largest city in Broward County. The latest report for Broward County states that about 20.4% of all men in the county have arthritis. Around 18.% of all men and 22.7% of all women in the county have arthritis. The incidence rate is highest in those 65 and older, with nearly 45.8%.
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
American Physical Therapy Association
Very well health
Mayo Clinic
Florida Department of Health[1]
Florida Department of Health[2]
U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
University of Florida Health
Florida Department of Health[3]
