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What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy (PT) is a field of medical care focused on easing pain from physical injuries and restoring regular bodily function. You may opt for physical therapy, or your primary care physician might prescribe it to relieve pain, improve agility, or prevent or recover from a sports injury. 

Physical therapy might also help you rehabilitate after a stroke, accident, or surgery, manage a chronic illness, adapt to an artificial limb, or recover after giving birth. Physical therapy is versatile in its scope and can help people of all ages treat various health problems.

Who is a physical therapist?

A physical therapist (PT) is a medical specialist who evaluates and treats body disorders using physical therapy. If you need specific care for your musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, or integumentary systems, a physical therapist's services might help you. You do not need to face a bodily issue particularly; you may see them if you seek to prevent any non-existing problem. You can find physical therapists at hospitals, athletics facilities, schools, and clinics, among other settings.

Physical therapists must fulfill some requirements to practice legally in the United States. They must acquire a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree from an institution the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredits and pass a state licensing exam.

Licensed physical therapists often gain more knowledge and experience by attending a clinical residency or fellowship program. Residencies allow physical therapists to gain experience in a defined practice area, while clinical fellowships help physical therapists sharpen their knowledge of the chosen focused practice areas. Generally, a physical therapist may subspecialize in oncology, geriatrics, sports, pulmonology, orthopedics, or pediatrics.

What do physical therapists do?

Typically, physical therapists aim to restore their patients' functionality by improving movement and increasing motion range in specific body areas. They diagnose a patient's condition and listen to their concerns as a part of their daily job role. They usually perform a physical examination to understand the issue better. For example, if the patient seeks physical therapy for a sports injury in their feet, the physical therapist will observe them while they stand, walk around, and perform specific tasks.

Upon clearly diagnosing the cause, the physical therapist will develop an individualized care plan built around their observations of the patient's condition, treatment goals, and expected outcomes. They may use a combination of exercises, stretches, and other hands-on methods as part of the patient's treatment plan. The physical therapist will coordinate with the patient's referring doctor to ensure they agree on the recommended treatment plan. They may also use therapeutic aids like electrical stimulation machines or kinesthetic tape.

If the treatment plan involves scheduling more appointments, the physical therapist shall document your progress at the end of every session. If the patient's condition demands it, the physical therapist will educate them on supporting devices like a crutch or cane and instruct them on their usage. They will also create and execute plans to discharge the patient from care when appropriate.

Usually, the duration of a physical therapy-focused treatment plan depends on the patient's condition and goals. The patient may also need to seek the physical therapist's approval before resuming certain activities that may harm their concerned body part.

Physical therapy vs. chiropractic care: similarities and differences

You may be confused about choosing a physical therapist or chiropractor for your condition. Both physical therapy and chiropractic care have many similarities, but their approaches to treatment may differ. Learning the difference between the two can help you determine which provider you should see for your particular pain, injury, or illness. 

The goals of physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments are the same in that both help patients move better with less pain. Some other similarities include: 

• Both approaches may be used to manage pain associated with certain conditions and injuries by using nonsurgical (non-invasive) and nondrug methods. In some cases, both healthcare providers may co-treat the same condition. 
• Most of the therapeutic modalities offered by both professionals overlap. In addition to hands-on therapy techniques, physical therapists and chiropractors use other modalities, such as heat therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
• Physical therapists and chiropractors are trained at a doctoral level. 
• Physical therapists and chiropractors also provide preventive care and wellness, which involves educating patients on how to keep their pain away, prevent any future injury, and prevent the condition from worsening. Chiropractors and physical therapists conduct tests, take a patient's medical history, order imaging tests, perform physical examinations, and assess a patient's posture and balance. 

Here is how they differ from each other: 

• A physical therapist is better known as a movement specialist who typically focuses on improving the entire body's mobility. Chiropractic care involves performing certain manipulations or adjustments to realign specific body parts, specifically the spine, that may have a restricted range of motion.
• Chiropractors primarily treat issues affecting the spine, lower back, and neck. They may order X-rays to examine bones and the spine. Physical therapists are considered general practitioners who can help improve the entire body's functional mobility. 
• Chiropractors may need specialized spaces and equipment to perform adjustments and manipulations, while physical therapists can work in any healthcare environment, including nursing homes, patient's homes, hospitals, schools, and clinics. 
• Physicians and medical specialists are more likely to recommend physical therapy after surgery. During your hospitalization, a physical therapist can help enhance functional mobility, such as walking or climbing up the stairs after the operation. 

If you feel pain limiting your ability to walk, sit, work, or engage in recreational activities, consider visiting a physical therapist near you. You may benefit from visiting a chiropractor for acute spine, neck, or back issues. 

If you are still unsure about which provider to choose, you could first consult your primary care physician, who could refer you to either healthcare professional, depending on your symptoms.  

Which conditions can improve with physical therapy?

Physical therapists develop individualized rehabilitation plans for various conditions across age groups and genders. Some common problems they treat in collaboration with a medical team are as follows: 

• Women's health conditions such as urinary or bowel incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and persistent pelvic pain
• Cardiopulmonary conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Musculoskeletal disorders, like back pain, neck pain, rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, spinal cord injuries, fibromyalgia, and osteopenia
• Neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, stroke, spina bifida, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), balance disorders, and muscular dystrophy
• Skin conditions, including burns, wounds, and diabetic foot ulcers
• Cancer or surgery-related pain 

Additionally, specific physical therapists may be equipped to treat particular age groups (pediatric. geriatric, etc.), sexes (male, female), or conditions, depending on the subspecialty they chose during their training.

How can a pediatric physical therapist help your child? 

Pediatric physical therapists are experts in attending to the physical therapy needs of younger kids and adolescents. Your child may require physical therapy in case of developmental delays, orthopedic conditions, neuromuscular disorders, genetic disorders, and sports injuries that affect their ability to function normally. These may include cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida, gait abnormalities, hypotonia, muscular dystrophy, and fractures.

Their services are accessible in various settings such as homes, preschools, schools, daycare centers, or outpatient clinics. Usually, your child's pediatrician will refer you to a pediatric physical therapist when required.

Before starting the pediatric therapy sessions, the physical therapist will evaluate your child's condition and work with you to develop a unique program for them. Common goals include improving strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance, coordination, and mobility. You can expect your child to engage in various playful activities. These may involve tools and equipment such as therapy balls, balance boards, therapy putty, resistance bands, treadmills, trampolines, parallel bars, hoops, scooters, tricycles, sensory tools, toys, and assistive devices.

Types of techniques in physical therapy

Physical therapists employ various techniques to resolve different conditions and achieve particular goals for treatment. Here are some standard physical therapy techniques:

• Therapeutic exercises: These are a collection of exercises and a range of movements to increase strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and coordination. Therapists recommend specific workouts based on your needs and condition.
• Manual therapy: Physical therapists use hands-on techniques to mobilize joints, manipulate soft tissues, and enhance joint mobility through manual therapy. 
• Electrotherapy: This is the application of electrical stimulation (e-stim) to stimulate tissue healing, alleviate pain, and improve muscular performance. 
• Heat and cold therapy: This can alleviate pain, inflammation, and muscular spasms. Hot packs, cold packs, ice massage, and contrast baths are commonly used in physical therapy.
• Hydrotherapy: The buoyancy of the water can reduce strain on joints and muscles (exercises done in a pool or aquatic environment). 
• Balance and proprioceptive training: This aims to improve balance, coordination, and proprioception. It includes particular workouts and activities to strengthen stability and lower the risk of falls.
• Blood flow restriction therapy (BFR): This involves wrapping a specific cuff or band around a part of the body to temporarily restrict blood and oxygen flow while engaging in exercises or activities. 
• Ultrasound therapy: This makes use of high-frequency sound waves to create heat deep into the tissues. It is commonly used to promote tissue healing, increase blood flow, and relieve pain and muscle spasms.

How do you choose the best exercises for yourself?

How can you determine which physical therapy exercises are most appropriate for your condition? The easiest approach to ensure that you are doing proper exercises is to schedule appointments with your physical therapist. They can analyze your condition and suggest suitable exercises.

Naturally, you might expect some stiffness when practicing new activities your body is not used to. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) usually occurs a few days after beginning exercise. However, the exercises prescribed by your physical therapist should improve your condition over time.

Find the best physical therapists near you in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY

Zocdoc can help you find the top-rated physical therapists in Jackson Heights, New York. You can start your search once you enter your location, specialty, and preferred appointment date. If you need to book a consultation for your child, you can look for pediatric physical therapists instead. You can filter specialists based on gender, hospital affiliations, and appointment time.

Every physical therapy practitioner has a dedicated profile on Zocdoc, where you can view their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and spoken languages. You can also check the verified patient reviews to make an informed decision. 

Zocdoc also helps make your insurance submission process hassle-free by letting you filter the physical therapists in Jackson Heights, New York, according to those who accept your plan. All you have to do is add your insurance carrier's name in the search query to utilize the feature. If you need clarification on your insurance plan, Zocdoc's insurance detector can help you. 

You can manually enter your insurance plan on Zocdoc and filter your search results. If this method does not help you find your particular health plan, you can try uploading a photo of your insurance card. Once you upload a photo, Zocdoc will scan the image of your card and show you a plan that best matches your card. Note that this option is available for medical insurance cards only. Dental and vision are excluded. If you need help uploading your insurance card, contact Zocdoc's service team, available 365 days a year to answer all your queries. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to other insurance-related questions.

Once you select the best physical therapist near you, you can click on the book appointment option, and Zocdoc will instantly assist you in booking an appointment for your first session. Zocdoc also allows you to book video appointments and in-person visits. To book one, look for the purple video icon on your doctor's profile or filter the video appointment selection. All bookings with Zocdoc are entirely free, fast, and secure.

Arthritis and diabetes statistics from New York

The New York State Department of Health released its 'Information for Action' report for 2018 using a Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey results for the same year. The report categorized adults with arthritis by county in New York State. It also shows that the percentage of adults with arthritis varied widely across counties in New York State. The top five counties with the highest prevalence of adults with arthritis were Montgomery, Fulton, Cattaraugus, Franklin, and Hamilton. About 38.0% of the adult population in Montgomery had an arthritis diagnosis. The corresponding figures for Fulton, Cattaraugus, and Franklin stood at nearly 30.9%, 36.2%, and 35.5%, respectively. 

The five counties with the lowest prevalence of adult New Yorkers with arthritis were New York, Rockland, Kings, and Queens. About 14.8% of the adult population in New York County had an arthritis diagnosis, the lowest in the state. The corresponding figures for Rockland and Kings stood at roughly 18.8% and 19.3%, respectively. The data for Queens, of which Jackson Heights is part, had 19.6% of its population diagnosed with arthritis, the lowest in the state. The prevalence of arthritis in these counties was below the state average, yet its impact was high because the counties had large population sizes.

Sources

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

American Physical Therapy Association

New York State Department of Health

Newswise

Verywell Health[1]

Medical News Today

Cleveland Clinic

Healthline[1]

Verywell Health[2]

Grand Canyon University

Verywell Health[3]

Mayo Clinic

Healthline[2]

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.