Who is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists use different physiotherapy techniques to help patients with physical problems resulting from an injury, disability, or health condition. The treatments can combine exercises, stretches, massage, hot and cold therapy, and more. The plan varies depending on every individual's needs and goals, such as reducing pain, improving range of motion, restoring physical function, increasing strength, regaining balance, avoiding surgery, and improving quality of life.
Physical therapists, also known as PT, diagnose and treat patients belonging to all age groups, ranging from newborns to older adults. They work in various healthcare settings, such as private practices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, sports and fitness centers, schools, workplaces, government agencies, and research centers. People also consult them to learn ways to become healthier and avoid future physical problems.
What are the education, training, and specialties of a physical therapist?
Aspiring physical therapists undergo extensive education and training before they start their careers. They begin with completing a four-year bachelor's program or a three-year undergraduate program, focusing on courses related to physical therapy. Then, they earn a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an education program approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. After graduation, they can take a state licensure exam to practice medicine.
Some physical therapists complete residencies to gain practical experience and pursue fellowships to train further in a focused practice area. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certifies various types of physical therapy specialties, such as:
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Women's health physical therapy
- Geriatric physical therapy
- Sports physical therapy
- Orthopedic physical therapy
- Oncologic physical therapy
- Neurological physical therapy
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy
- Vestibular physical therapy
When should you see a physical therapist?
A physical therapist can treat various health conditions by collaborating with other medical specialists. Your primary care doctor may recommend physical therapy treatment for the following conditions:
- Pediatric conditions such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, sports-related injuries, autism, toe walking, spina bifida, muscle weakness, and Down's syndrome
- Women's health conditions such as pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, and osteoporosis
- Geriatric conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, joint pain, surgeries, balance disorders, incontinence
- Sports injuries such as knee injuries, sprains, tennis elbow, neck splints, strains, swollen muscles, broken bones, and joint dislocations
- Musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, osteopenia, fractures, sarcopenia, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and Temporomandibular Joint dysfunction (TMJ syndrome)
- Cancer-related pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and physical dysfunction
- Neurological conditions such as stroke, headaches, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, sciatica, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injuries
- Cardiopulmonary conditions such as chronic bronchitis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease, congestive heart failure
- Balance problems related to conditions such as migraine, vestibular neuritis, inner ear conditions, peripheral neuropathy
- Skin conditions such as diabetic ulcers, pain from wounds or burns
What is the difference between kinesiotherapy, physiotherapy, and physical therapy?
Physical therapy, physiotherapy, and kinesiotherapy all pertain to the same treatment focused on enhancing movement and overall confidence. In the United States, providers and patients commonly use "physical therapy" to describe the treatment, with "physical therapists" being the professionals administering it. The terms "physiotherapy" and "physiotherapists" are more prevalent outside the US, and some non-US individuals may refer to physical therapy as "kinesiotherapy."
Irrespective of the terminology used, the goal remains consistent—to improve mobility and functional abilities. Whether you seek physical therapy, physiotherapy, or kinesiotherapy, a skilled therapist will work with you to help you move better and regain confidence in your physical abilities. The focus on optimizing movement and promoting well-being makes these terms interchangeable and integral to rehabilitative and therapeutic practices worldwide.
Is occupational therapy and physical therapy the same?
Occupational and physical therapy aim to enhance body movement and safety, but their primary objectives set them apart.
Occupational therapy promotes independence and functionality in daily activities, enabling individuals to carry out essential tasks easily and confidently. Occupational therapy's term "occupation" encompasses all routine tasks, not solely work-related activities.
Occupational therapists assist in improving skills for tasks like computer use, grocery shopping, and dressing. Conversely, physical therapy focuses on addressing specific body areas to alleviate symptoms of health conditions, such as pain and stiffness, or to aid in post-injury or post-surgery rehabilitation.
While physical therapy targets specific bodily issues, occupational therapy is more concerned with empowering individuals to live as self-sufficient as possible by improving their ability to perform daily tasks effectively.
What to expect in a physical therapy appointment?
During your first appointment with the physical therapist, they will begin by diagnosing your condition. They can inquire about your medical history, your symptoms, their triggers, your situation's impact on everyday life, and your physical therapy goals. Additionally, they will perform a physical examination to evaluate muscle strength, flexibility, stamina, joint mobility, and range of motion. After understanding your condition, they will prepare a treatment plan specific to your goals.
While exercise and stretches are essential components of physical therapy, the physical therapist may also use other treatments such as massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, joint mobilization, heat and cold therapy, light therapy, K-taping, and hydrotherapy. The number of sessions will depend on your condition, commitment to therapy, and how well your body responds to the treatment plan. Moreover, the physical therapist may recommend at-home exercises, therapies, and other self-management tips.
Finding the best physical therapist near you in Houston, TX?
Physical conditions can take a toll on your everyday activities and make you overly dependent on people around you. They can impact different aspects of your life, including your personal, work, and social life. The loss of independence can instigate frustration, anger, sadness, and fatigue. You can benefit greatly from physical therapy sessions in such a situation.
Zocdoc can help you find a top physical therapist near you in Houston, Texas, within minutes. Log on to Zocdoc and enter information, such as the specialty you are looking for, your location, availability, and insurance details, to receive an extensive list of providers matching your preferences. You can use filters to streamline your results at this stage based on their gender, language, hospital affiliations, distance, and whether they treat children.
Zocdoc believes in transparency; all providers have profile pages with relevant details about their education and training, board certifications, professional memberships, awards, accreditations, etc. You can learn more about the expert's professional conduct through verified reviews from previous patients they have treated.
Although going for in-person physical therapist consultations is beneficial, some experts also offer video visits. Whenever you find a suitable physical therapist near you, you can instantly book your appointment via Zocdoc.
All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, secure, and free!
Statistics on physical conditions and physical therapists in Texas
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2021, there were about 14,040 physical therapists in Texas, ranking the state third in the country compared to other US states in the employment of physical therapists.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released disability estimates across US states, including Texas. Based on that, in 2020, around 11.1% of adults had mobility disabilities. About 4.3% of the affected adults were aged 18-44 years, followed by approximately 15.1% between 45-64 years and nearly 25.3% aged 65+. It also showed that females (about 12.6%) were more likely to have some form of mobility disability than males (about 9.5%).
According to America's Health Rankings, around 21.3% of the adult population in Texas had some form of arthritis in 2021. About 24.9% of the affected population were females compared to 17.5% of males. Almost half of the people (nearly 45.8%) with arthritis were aged 65+, followed by about 29.5% aged 45-64 years and about 7.1% aged 18-44.
Cardiopulmonary diseases such as heart disease, stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and asthma can limit physical function too. As per another America's Health Rankings report, in 2021, about 7.3% of adults in Texas reported some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, angina, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. With about 7.4% men and 7.1% women, both genders were nearly equally affected. Cardiovascular disease was the most prevalent among the 65+ population, with around 20.8% of cases. About 8.2% of the affected adults were aged 45-64, and 1.7% were aged 18-44.
In the same year, Texas observed around 8.4% of adult asthma cases and about 6% of adults with COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. With 11.2% of the asthma cases being females, they were nearly twice as affected compared to about 5.5% of males. Concerning COPD, about 6.8% of the affected adults were females, and about 5.2% were males.
Sources
WebMD
Medical News Today
The College of St. Scholastica
Verywell Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
America’s Health Rankings[3]
America’s Health Rankings[4]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Cleveland Clinic
