Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists are healthcare experts who specialize in movement and treat injuries and illnesses involving bones, muscles, hearts, lungs, brain, and skin. They also help people improve their general health and prevent ailments.
One can find physical therapists at various healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, private offices, schools, sports centers, and long-term care facilities. Their everyday duties include:
- Diagnosing the condition using the patient's medical history, diagnostic test results, symptoms, and physical exam results
- Understanding patients’ goals and expected outcomes from physical therapy
- Developing a personalized treatment plan that can include a combination of exercises, stretches, joint mobilization, massage, and other therapeutic modalities
- Giving at-home assignments and management tips to patients and their families
- Recording patient progress during follow-up appointments
- Educating patients about ways to prevent injuries and maintain physical health
- Addressing concerns and queries of patients
- Ensuring holistic patient care by collaborating with other healthcare professionals such as psychologists, nutritionists, and more
Education and training of physical therapists
Physical therapists usually complete a bachelor's degree before applying for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Some physical therapists participate in a six-year course involving three years of undergraduate classes and three years of a professional DPT program. Other physical therapists gain direct admission into a professional DPT program upon completing undergraduate requirements.
During their DPT program, they gain understanding and knowledge in areas like pathology, biology, sociology, anatomy, behavioral sciences, musculoskeletal systems (bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and connective tissues), etc. Their program curriculum involves 80% classroom work/lab study and 20% clinical education.
Physical therapists typically spend twenty-seven weeks completing their final clinical experience. They earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree upon completion. They also pass a state licensing exam to become a licensed physical therapist. Some certified physical therapists participate in a clinical residency or clinical fellowship program to gain experience in a specific practice area. Some of the physical therapy specialties recognized by The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties include:
- Pediatric physical therapy (helps children and teenagers under 18 years)
- Women's health physical therapy (helps women)
- Geriatric physical therapy (helps older adults)
- Sports physical therapy (helps people involved in sports and exercise)
- Orthopedic physical therapy (helps people with issues of the musculoskeletal system, including joints, muscles, tendons, and bones)
- Oncologic physical therapy (helps cancer patients)
- Neurological physical therapy (helps individuals having nerve disorders)
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy (helps people with heart or lung conditions)
- Vestibular physical therapy (helps people with balance disorders)
Reasons to see physical therapists
Physical therapists encourage movement in all facets of healthcare, from a fall to a joint replacement to persistent shoulder discomfort. Seeing a physical therapist will help you regain your best function if you have a regular mobility problem, regardless of age.
You should book an appointment with the best physical therapist near you to find out how active you are, prevent injuries, become more aware of your movements, or don't want to use pain medication after diabetic wounds, non-healing traumatic wounds, and wounds from surgery. They can assist if you are experiencing joint discomfort, arthritic pain, or osteoarthritis. Seeing a physical therapist can help people with type-2 diabetes lower their medication needs and risk for heart disease and stroke.
As you age, seeing a physical therapist can assist you in walking more confidently and lower your chance of falling and getting hurt. They can treat work-related injuries such as fall accidents, slips, repetitive motion injuries, and other trauma. Physical therapy is also helpful if you are suffering from respiratory issues, incontinence, or bowel incontinence.
What clothing is suitable for a physical therapy appointment?
You should feel secure and at ease during an appointment with a physical therapist near you. If you have an injury, you must wear clothing that permits movement and access to your back, neck, arms, and shoulders. For example, wearing a loose-fitting shirt with your arms exposed allows a physical therapist to evaluate and treat a hand or wrist problem effectively.
If you go to physical therapy for a back injury, wear a T-shirt and pants or shorts with an elastic waistband. Wear shorts for easy knee, lower leg, and thigh palpation. Wear socks and sneakers or athletic shoes to your physical therapy appointments if you have a foot or ankle injury.
What are some physical therapy modalities?
Physical therapy modalities refer to the various techniques, procedures, and devices used by physical therapists to help patients achieve different goals, such as reducing pain and improving mobility, range of motion, flexibility, strength, balance, and overall function. Some of the common physical therapy modalities include:
Physical therapists often recommend exercises and stretches to help improve an individual’s mobility and function. Exercise can be active or passive, where physical therapists apply controlled physical stress to the body. Moreover, patients can perform the exercise at the clinic, hospital, or home under the therapist’s guidance.
Hot and cold therapy can help the injuries heal faster. Hot or moist heat packs are applied to the affected area for a few minutes to increase circulation to the injured tissue. It also helps to alleviate pain and relax the muscles. Similarly, physical therapists use cold packs to control inflammation and reduce pain. However, it would help if you took necessary precautions to prevent skin damage in either.
Ultrasound therapy is a deep-heating treatment for musculoskeletal conditions like tendonitis, strains, or sprains. Physical therapists administer it with the help of an ultrasound machine. They use it on the site of injury and pass ultrasound with the help of gel.
Traction helps treat neck pain and lower back pain. It also helps to improve the spine’s mobility. Physical therapists provide traction with the help of a device that you can use in a sitting or lying position.
Also known as laser therapy, the treatment involves the use of light at a specific wavelength. It is directed at the injured area to improve its healing process. The treatment lasts for a few minutes and is painless. Light therapy is beneficial for issues like wounds, inflammation, or chronic pain.
Physical therapists provide electrical stimulation therapy to reduce pain around the injured tissue. They also use other treatment variations to contract muscles or help regain the muscle’s functionality.
Hydrotherapy is beneficial in controlling inflammation, maintaining clean wounds, and improving circulation. It can also help in relaxation and improve range of motion. Physical therapists provide hydrotherapy in various forms, like whirlpool baths at a set temperature.
They are also known as K-tape, a form of treatment to induce muscle inhibition and facilitation, reduce pain, and manage swelling or bruising. Physical therapists apply the tape to the skin and keep it in place for a few days.
- Manual therapy, including joint mobilization and massage:
Physical therapists often recommend manual therapy for various conditions to improve mobility and alleviate pain. They also guide the patients with self-mobilization techniques to perform independently at home. Subsequently, physical therapists utilize massage techniques like trigger point, petrissage, and effleurage to decrease muscle tension and improve circulation.
- Assistive devices such as braces, crutches, and walkers:
Physical therapists provide assistive devices in case of injuries or accidents. It helps to restrict movement and increase circulation to the affected area. Hence, it can speed up the healing process.
Get the best physical therapy near you in Huntington, NY.
You can stay active and participate in what you love by working with a physical therapist, who can guide you in understanding your body better and prevent pain and injuries. However, identifying the best physical therapist for your requirements can be challenging and time-consuming. Zocdoc aims to match patients with the most qualified healthcare professionals.
You can search for physical therapists on Zocdoc based on your symptoms/conditions, preferred location, date, and insurance plan. Furthermore, you can refine your search for providers based on the language spoken, gender, hospital affiliations, and whether or not they treat children. Zocdoc also displays detailed information about each provider, such as qualifications, hospital affiliations, awards, accreditations, experience, areas of expertise, licenses, etc. These details will match you with the top physical therapists near you in Huntington, NY.
Zocdoc also collects and constantly updates patient reviews and ratings. You can also book virtual appointments with Zocdoc or schedule an in-person meeting with a physical therapist who accepts your insurance plan. If you need clarification on your insurance, use Zocdoc's insurance checker.
Once you have found a provider offering the best physical therapy near you, you can book your appointment via Zocdoc—it is easy, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics on physical therapy in New York State
According to the Information for Action Report 2018 by the New York State Department of Health, nearly 14.8% of New York State adults had arthritis in 2016. According to the latest annual report 2021 by America's Health, around 38% of American Indian, 9.2% Asian, 19.3% black, 31.7% multiracial, and 24.3% white New York State adults had some form of arthritis. A physical therapist provides an effective treatment option for all types of arthritis. Research and clinical trials published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information show that physical therapy is effective for knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients.
According to stroke mortality data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6,685 (25.7%) adults in New York State died from a stroke in 2021. The National Institute on Aging states that physical therapy is most stroke patients' primary form of rehabilitation. Physical therapists assist stroke patients in relearning basic motor skills such as lying down, walking, standing, and sitting, as well as switching from one type of movement to another.
According to state-wise mortality data for Parkinson's disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 7.2% of people in New York State died from Parkinson's disease in 2021. Physical therapists in New York State are creating treatment plans to help Parkinson's patients manage their symptoms.
Sources
American Physical Therapy Association
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
VeryWell Health[1]
VeryWell Health[2]
Verywell Health[3]
National Center for Biotechnology Information[1]
National Center for Biotechnology Information[2]
New York State Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
The College of St. Scholastica
