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What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy focuses on alleviating pain and enhancing mobility, aiming to improve overall movement and functionality. Doctors may suggest proceeding with a physical therapist if you've got a prolonged injury and are having pain. Here's a brief about a physical therapist and the benefits you receive after visiting a physical therapist.

It is a medicinal treatment that aids in restoring mobility, curing muscle stiffness, easing knee pain, and helping overcome movement dysfunction. Medical practitioners who perform such treatment refer to the physical therapist. 

Physical therapists implement techniques and prescribe exercises to patients with limited range of motion and physical injuries. They can prescribe both preventive and corrective medicine. Licensed therapists work in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, private clinics, outpatient offices, rehabilitation centers, etc. 

To become a certified physical therapist, one has to earn a physical therapy degree from an accredited physical therapy education program. The duration of the program is three years. During the program, individuals will learn about exercise physiology, biomechanics, musculoskeletal physiology, and anatomy. In addition to the DPT program, physical therapists also need clinical experience. Doctors must also pass the state licensure examination to work as professional therapists in their states. 

What is the role of physical therapists?

Physical therapists treat mobility issues in patients of all ages, from infants to teenagers, adults, and older adults. They collaborate with doctors, surgeons, nurses, sports coaches, social workers, educators, nurses, and physical therapy assistants in various healthcare settings. 

Physical therapists discuss a patient's concerns and observe the patient walk, stand, and perform various physical tasks. It helps to arrive at a proper diagnosis. They can design a customized care plan per their observation, medical expertise, available medical research, and the patient's goals and expectations. 

Physical therapists also evaluate patients' responses and progress to the care plan and make modifications when required. They ensure the treatment plan is implemented correctly for optimal health outcomes for the patient.

Regular physical therapy sessions help therapists identify weak areas in your body that may be prone to bodily injury. Accordingly, they can recommend lifestyle adjustments, healthcare routines, and regular screenings to strengthen weak areas and prevent damage. 

Physical therapist vs chiropractor: What is the difference?

There may be a few similarities between physical therapy and chiropractic care. However, their approach to treatment dramatically differs. Here are the key differences between physical therapy and chiropractic care.

• The primary goal of physical therapy is pain-free physical movement. In contrast, spinal alignment and pain relief are the primary goals of chiropractic care.

• Physical therapy focuses on body movement and functions, including muscles and joints. In contrast, chiropractic care focuses mainly on issues related to hand or leg joint pain, back pain, neck pain, and headache. 

• The physical therapy treatment plan includes stretches, exercises, and nutrition to improve physical health, muscle function, and mobility. In contrast, chiropractic care involves spinal or joint manipulations and chiropractic adjustments to improve the range of motion of the particular joint and faster healing of the discomfort.

• Physical therapists can work at home or in a healthcare environment. In contrast, chiropractors need specialized equipment and spaces to perform manipulations and adjustments.

Finally, you must see a physical therapist if you suffer from muscle-related health problems due to injuries, strains, surgery, or chronic movement issues. 

Types of physical therapy

The most common types of physical therapy performed by the therapist are as follows: 

• Orthopedic Physical Therapy: This therapy helps improve tissue function and muscle stiffness. Physical therapists help treat various joint mobilization conditions, arthritis, incontinence, bursitis, chronic pain, and many more with this therapy. 

• Geriatric Physical Therapy: This therapy helps older patients suffering from balance problems. It helps to treat conditions such as arthritis, muscle strength, and broken bones. 

• Pediatric Physical Therapy: This is a treatment for kids to treat mobility issues and weak muscles. The exercises and therapy are very much similar to adults. 

• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: This therapy can assist in treating disorders that affect the pelvic floor, such as urine or bowel problems, urinary urgency, and pelvic pain caused by accidents, surgeries, or other conditions.

• Sports Physical Therapy: The treatment is for athletes of all ages who get injuries during practice and games. Physical therapists suggest exercises and implement techniques to prevent pain and maintain strength.

• Neurological physical therapy: This can help treat neurological conditions such as brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury. 

Benefits of physical therapy

Physical therapy is a non-invasive treatment with fewer risks. The treatment helps patients suffering from acute pain, prolonged injuries, and chronic pain conditions. Some of the benefits of physical exercises and therapy are as follows:

• This therapy helps improve muscle strength, body coordination, and balance.
• Physical therapy is beneficial for mobility assistance for patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
• The strength training exercises suggested by physical therapists are beneficial to regain body function.
• The therapy session helps deal with short-term and chronic pains and disabilities.
• It helps in recovering from paralysis and stroke conditions.
• Physical therapy is also beneficial in managing age-related medical conditions such as osteoporosis, muscle dysfunction, joint pain, and more. 
• Physical therapy is beneficial for patients with muscular dystrophy. 
• Physical therapy can also help manage conditions affecting hand function, such as trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. 
• The therapy is also helpful in treating cardiopulmonary conditions like cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and post-myocardial infarction heart failure.

In addition to the above conditions, physical therapists can help treat skin injuries such as diabetic ulcers, wound care, and more. Women with pelvic floor dysfunction, lymphedema, and urinary incontinence can undergo physical therapy for treatment. 

What to expect during physical therapy sessions?

A physical therapy session may benefit you if you have an injury that affects your physical activities. A physical therapist near you needs a detailed understanding of your injuries and condition. They might ask about your medical history and other requirements you are experiencing. They order diagnostic tests based on your assessment to know the exact problem. Once the physical therapist has your diagnosis report, they design a treatment plan. 

The treatment may involve physical exercises, manual therapy, and techniques. Doctors may provide some mobility exercises and keep a recovery check. They also emphasize functional movements such as walking, standing, rolling, and balancing. 

They aim to restore body function and manage pain so you can efficiently perform daily tasks. Physical therapists may advise multiple visits depending on your condition. In some cases, the treatment might last for months. 

Find the best physical therapist near you in Katy, Texas

Many factors, such as specialty, education, insurance acceptance, treatment facilities, and location, play a crucial role in searching for suitable therapists. If you are facing a problem finding the right physical therapist in your area, Zocdoc can help. 

You can find thousands of experienced physical therapists with complete profiles on Zocdoc. To search for a physical therapist near you, input your condition or specialty, location, date, and insurance plan in the search bar. A comprehensive list of physicians based on your search criteria will appear within a few seconds. You can choose from the best practitioners to help manage your condition from this custom list. 

Each physician on Zocdoc has a detailed profile with information about their education, qualifications, spoken languages, gender, clinic location, awards, etc. You can also find user-verified reviews and ratings to help you make an informed decision. Zocdoc allows you to compare profiles and choose a physical therapist that meets your requirements. Once you've narrowed your selection of experts, you can book an appointment on Zocdoc for an in-person or virtual consultation. 

Zocdoc makes finding the right physical therapist near you safe, easy, and 100% free!

Statistics about physical therapists in Texas, United States

There were around 533 individuals who got fatal occupational injuries in Texas, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021. Approximately 70 individuals were self-employed, and nearly 463 were on wages. As of May 2021, Texas has about 14,040 active physical therapists employed.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also stated in a 2021 study that there were more than 5,190 fatal work severe injuries in the country, an 8.9% rise from around 4,764 in 2020.

In 2019, around 20.4% of individuals revealed chronic pain, and 7.4% of adults reported having high-impact chronic pain in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Age-related increases in chronic and high-impact chronic pain were observed, with those 65 years of age and beyond displaying the highest prevalence.

Sources

Medical News Today

WebMD

Verywell Health

American Physical Therapy Session 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [1]

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [2]

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [3]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Healthline

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.