Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists are qualified healthcare professionals who assist patients with mobility and motion problems. They support, preserve, and enhance physical functionality while maintaining cardiopulmonary function. They help reduce the effects of diseases or injuries on a person's ability to function.
These experts deal with patients of all ages, including children and older people. After an injury or surgery, doctors may suggest visiting a physical therapist for recovery. Physical therapy often treats degenerative disc disease, back discomfort, meniscal tears, and knee osteoarthritis.
They can run private practices or work in settings like nursing homes, sports academies, fitness centers, corporate offices, hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics.
What education and licenses do physical therapists have?
To become a physical therapist, students must get a doctorate from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and then pass a state licensure test. They must also enroll in a clinical residency or fellowship program to gain expertise in a particular field. Physical therapists receive training to carry out duties like the following:
- Performing physical examinations to assess the range of motion, flexibility, and mobility
- Offering a clinical diagnosis and developing a customized treatment strategy
- Executing physical therapy interventions and treatments
- Making use of devices like kinesthetic tape or electrical stimulation machines
- Assisting the body with crutches or other similar devices
- Offering advice on self-management strategies and at-home exercises
A didactic (classroom) and lab component constitutes around 80% of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curriculum, with clinical education constituting the remaining 20%.
Types of physical therapy
There are different types of physical therapies, and most therapists choose to specialize in one. Some of these are as follows:
- Orthopedic physical therapy: This specialization treats injuries involving the muscles, bones, ligaments, fascia, and tendons. It is suitable for treating sprains, fractures, bursitis, chronic musculoskeletal problems, and recovery from orthopedic surgery. Patients receive treatments like joint mobilizations, manual therapy, strength training, and mobility training.
- Wound care therapy: By enhancing circulation, wound care therapy ensures that the injured region receives adequate blood and oxygen.
- Geriatric physical therapy: This therapy helps older adults who develop certain conditions with age. They may face arthritis, osteoporosis, balance disorders, and incontinence. Treatment aims to manage pain, increase mobility, and improve physical fitness.
- Decongestive therapy: This non-invasive treatment allows individuals with lymphedema and other disorders to remove accumulated lymph fluid from the body.
- Neurological physical therapy: Physical therapists specializing in neurological physical therapy serve people with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, brain damage, stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's. Treatment aims to increase limb responsiveness, improve movement patterns, increase strength, and restore natural balance.
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: This field of medicine addresses patients who have had surgery or have cardiopulmonary issues. The therapy enhances the patient's cardiovascular stamina and endurance.
- Vestibular therapy: It can treat any balancing problems patients may experience due to inner ear issues.
What conditions do physical therapists treat?
Physical therapists employ various strategies to treat their patients. They may recommend exercises, manual therapy, and rehabilitation techniques for multiple injuries and disorders. Most of these conditions are chronic and involve muscle, joint, or tendon pain. Physical therapists help patients relieve such pain and live more comfortably. You can see a physical therapist near you for the following conditions:
- Arthritis: It is a group of conditions characterized by pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. The risk of developing arthritis increases with aging. Arthritis, especially of the weight-bearing joints such as the knees, can make walking or sitting uncomfortable. Physical therapy can improve the movement and mobility in these joints and increase their strength. Physical therapy also treats rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): This is caused by excessive pressure or irritation of the median nerve (which travels through the upper arm and the carpal tunnel in the wrist), which causes pain in the wrist and forearm. Repetitive hand use or incorrect hand and wrist positioning while performing activities can cause CTS. Besides steroid therapy, physical therapy is an excellent mode of treatment for this condition.
- Muscular dystrophy: Muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition, is widely considered an incurable disease that causes loss of muscle mass and weakness. It can also lead to trouble walking, using arms to lift or write, swallowing, etc. A physical therapist may recommend low-impact or range-of-motion improvement exercises to manage this condition.
- Parkinson's disease (PD): This is a degenerative autoimmune disorder that progresses and worsens over time. It affects the nervous system and results in tremors and decreased movement. Parkinson's symptoms include slurred speech, difficulty walking, and muscle stiffness. Physical therapists recommend specific exercises involving gait training and balance exercises. They also employ the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) therapy for speech improvement.
- Pelvic floor dysfunction: Pelvic floor dysfunction happens when pelvic floor muscles weaken or tighten, causing pain, incontinence, or bowel/bladder control difficulty. Risk factors include childbirth, aging, surgery, or obesity. Physical therapy (PT) is a key treatment involving exercises to strengthen or relax these muscles. Therapists may use biofeedback to help you control your muscles better or hands-on techniques to ease tightness. Simple changes, like dietary modifications, can also make a difference. Therapy aims to get your body working normally again, alleviate discomfort, and help you feel better. If problems continue, doctors might suggest medications or surgery as a last resort.
- Headaches: There are about 150 types of headaches. However, they fall into two major categories: primary and secondary headaches. Although most headaches aren't dangerous, certain types can signify a more serious condition. Physical therapy can help by using exercises to strengthen muscles, improve posture, and reduce strain. Therapists may also use hands-on techniques to ease tightness in your neck and shoulders. These methods can lessen how often and how bad headaches happen. Your therapist might also suggest changes to your daily habits to prevent headaches if needed.
- Respiratory issues: Respiratory conditions include breathlessness, COPD, and other related lung diseases. Physical therapy can be a great medium to manage these issues through targeted exercises and techniques. Physical therapists educate patients on breathing exercises, improving lung capacity, airway clearance techniques to remove mucus, and endurance training to boost stamina. They may also provide posture training and education on energy conservation. These methods help patients breathe easier, reduce hospital visits, and improve quality of life.
- Ankle sprain: An ankle sprain involves ligament damage, causing pain and instability. Physical therapy follows a phased approach: initial rest and protection, then progressive rehabilitation. Early treatment focuses on reducing swelling (PRICE protocol) and restoring pain-free motion. Therapists prescribe strengthening exercises for damaged and surrounding muscles and proprioception training to improve balance. Functional exercises prepare patients for sports/activities while taping or bracing and provide support during recovery. PT helps prevent chronic instability and ensures a safe return to normal function.
How do you prepare for a physical therapy visit?
If you have an illness or injury and experience pain or trouble with functional movement, you may benefit from the adept services of a physical therapist.
The first session with a physical therapist is called an initial evaluation. During this session, the therapist will try to learn about your health condition, previous level of functionality, and how it affects your daily life. Afterward, the therapist will take specific measurements of the impairments causing the problem and create a treatment plan.
Before your initial evaluation, you should write down essential facts about the history of your condition — to avoid forgetting or overlooking anything. Some checklist questions can be:
- When and how did your disorder begin?
- What was your functional mobility status before your injury or illness?
- How often do your symptoms recur?
- How is the issue evolving?
- Are there factors that cause relaxation or distress to your existing concerns?
Also, remember to keep a list of your past medications and other past surgeries or procedure information. Ask the physical therapist what you should wear and if there is space to change. Loose-fitting clothing is ideal to help your doctor access the problem area or facilitate its movement.
During the initial examination, common measurements are taken to better understand your condition. These are carried out via palpation, range of motion (ROM) measurements, strength tests, functional mobility, balance, and neurological screening tests. Once the exam is complete, the physical therapy treatment plan is devised and begins.
Occupational therapy vs. physical therapy
Physical and occupational therapy share many similarities but differ in their approach to a patient's rehabilitative care. One fundamental difference is that physical therapy improves patients' ability to move their bodies. In contrast, occupational therapy aims to improve patients' ability to perform activities in their day-to-day lives. Besides, physical therapy's foundation is bodily rehabilitation, whereas occupational therapy is rooted in mental healthcare and physical rehabilitation.
Occupational therapy heavily focuses on adapting, modifying, or changing the daily activities an individual is required to or wants to do. They might alter the training, environment, or person's skills. An occupational therapist might help individuals improve their fine motor skills (small movements made with their upper body). These are necessary for daily activities such as picking up a toothbrush, brushing their teeth, using a phone, or driving.
For individuals with mental health-related issues, an occupational therapist might improve their skills by increasing positive coping techniques that allow them to function daily.
Finding the best physical therapist near you in Jersey City, New Jersey
Untreated injuries or chronic pain can make walking difficult and sometimes lead to long-term impairment. Physical therapy has proven to speed up recovery and help manage chronic disability in adults and children efficiently. Finding a suitable physical therapist in your area can be time-consuming. Thankfully, Zocdoc makes it easy to find qualified healthcare experts from the convenience of your own home with just a few clicks.
To schedule an appointment with a top-rated physical therapist, go to the Zocdoc website and type your symptoms, location, insurance information, and desired appointment date. Look through the list of top-rated healthcare providers provided. To refine search results, you can enter details such as region, gender, time of day, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, and whether or not they treat children. To limit your search to in-network providers exclusively, you can select your insurance company and carrier plan from the drop-down menu given on the website.
Also, Zocdoc assists patients in making informed decisions by presenting each provider's educational background, which includes their clinical training, experience, certifications, licenses, awards, and accreditations. Reading genuine and verified patient reviews is another way to choose the best physical therapist near you.
Additionally, you can upload your insurance card securely to know which insurance you have. Zocdoc prioritizes your privacy and security and follows the industry's best practices to safeguard your information. You can read more about how Zocdoc handles data and privacy, and check out Zocdoc's Patient Help Center for answers to any further insurance-related queries.
On Zocdoc, booking all appointments is quick, cost-free, and secure.
Statistics on chronic conditions requiring physical therapy in New Jersey
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's report (2020) states that approximately 1,415,625 (20.9%) individuals in New Jersey have a disability. Adults in New Jersey have various functional disabilities, with 4% having a hearing disability, 4.2% having a vision disability, 9.2% experiencing mobility issues, 8.6% dealing with a cognitive disability, and 5.6% facing independent living concerns.
Osteoporosis, sometimes known as the silent disease, is a severe disorder in which bones deteriorate severely, become brittle, and break easily. The Department of Health (State of New Jersey) reports that almost 1.5 million citizens have osteoporosis or are at a higher risk of getting it. Every year, about 7,500 people over 65 have a hip bone fracture. In New Jersey, a hip fracture with hospitalization costs between $18,000 and $27,000. America's Health Rankings estimates that in 2021, around 22.9% of adults in New Jersey had some form of arthritis.
Sources
Verywell Health
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Department of Health, State of New Jersey
America's Health Rankings
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Physical Therapy Association
MedicalNewsToday
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
OrthoInfo
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy
Massachusetts General Hospital
