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Who is a physical therapist?

Physical therapists identify and treat conditions affecting the nervous, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. They can help injured people by increasing their range of motion and reducing discomfort. They also offer rehabilitation and therapy to people who have chronic disorders. Physical therapists can assist with other diseases, including sports injuries, arthritis, amputations, stroke, cerebral palsy, sprains, strains, and fractures.

Physical therapists usually perform the following duties:

• Look into their medical history to discover more about a patient's body.
• Observe how patients move, stand, and engage in other physical activities to determine their diagnosis.
• Make customized treatment plans for every patient. It can also include a list of the program's expected outcomes.
• Use tools, stretches, hands-on therapy, and exercises to relieve the patient's pain. 
• Analyze and record the patient's growth and modify the care strategy to reflect their progress.

Education qualification and training of a physical therapist

A DPT, known as a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and a high school graduation are prerequisites for becoming a physical therapist. After graduating, aspirants undergo three years of training in an accredited DPT program. During the curriculum, students learn about the circulatory and pulmonary systems, behavioral sciences, biomechanics, biology, and cellular histology. Along with these requirements, students must complete lab work and at least 27.5 weeks of clinical training.

Most DPT programs require candidates to have a bachelor's degree to be accepted. Some universities provide a 3+3 curriculum, which requires students to complete three years of pre-professional (undergraduate/pre-physical therapy) coursework before enrolling in a three-year professional DPT program.

Physical therapists who want to focus even further on a particular field area can take up residency or do a fellowship that combines post-professional clinical and didactic education. A fellowship is regarded as a sign of proficiency and increases credibility. Physical therapists may also become board-certified by passing an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties examination.

What conditions do physical therapists treat?

Physical therapists see patients for a variety of ailments. Some of these are fibromyalgia, fractures, multiple trauma, pelvic pain, joint injuries, sports injuries, back and neck pain, chronic pain, fall risk, strained muscles, and balance problems.

There can also be mobility and functional issues linked to other disorders and conditions, such as:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome-related issues 
• Cancer-related complications 
• Diabetes 
• Fall risk and balance issues
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis 
• Cerebral palsy 
• Obesity
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Brain injury 
• Cystic fibrosis 

Types of physical therapy

There are various kinds of physical therapy, and most therapists select one to focus on exclusively. Here are a few of these:

• Decongestive therapy: This non-invasive procedure helps people with lymphedema and other conditions eliminate extra lymph fluid.
• Neurological physical therapy: Physical therapists specializing in neurological physical therapy help people with neurological diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and brain damage. Treatment aims to enhance movement patterns, develop strength, improve limb response, and regain natural balance.
• Orthopedic physical therapy: This area of expertise handles injuries to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It effectively treats sprains, fractures, bursitis, long-term musculoskeletal issues, and the healing process following orthopedic surgery. Patients receive therapies such as joint mobilization, manual strength, and mobility training.
• Wound care treatment: Wound care therapy improves circulation, ensuring the wounded area gets enough blood and oxygen.
• Geriatric physical therapy: This treatment supports older people with various ailments as they age. Arthritis, osteoporosis, balance issues, and incontinence can affect older persons. The main treatment goals are pain management, improved mobility, and enhanced physical fitness. 
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: This area of medicine deals with patients who have undergone surgery or have heart-lung problems. The treatment improves the patient's cardiovascular fitness and stamina. 
• Vestibular therapy: This therapy can address patients' balance problems due to inner ear problems.

What are some common physical therapy exercises?

Engaging in various physical therapy exercises, with the guidance of a skilled physical therapist near you, is crucial to recovery. Understanding the purpose behind these exercises and how they contribute to your recovery from injuries or specific health conditions is essential.  

Physical therapy exercises enhance and maintain your body's functionality and mobility. Your physical therapist (PT) may recommend a combination of activities tailored to your individual needs, with the primary objectives of:  

• Restoring balance and stability: These exercises help reestablish equilibrium and steadiness, which are particularly important for injury recovery and preventing falls. 
• Strengthening core muscles: Building core muscle strength is a key component of physical therapy, as it contributes to improved functional strength and overall stability, ultimately reducing discomfort. 
• Increasing range of motion, flexibility, and joint strength: Physical therapy exercises work to enhance your ability to move, increase flexibility, and bolster joint strength, thereby promoting better overall mobility.
• Reducing stiffness and alleviating pain: Many individuals undergoing physical therapy experience stiffness and pain. Specific exercises can help ease these discomforts as part of the rehabilitation process. 

Common physical therapy exercises often focus on the following areas:

1. Muscle strengthening exercises: Emphasizing muscle development is a significant aspect of physical therapy. These exercises are pivotal for improving functional strength and balance, reducing discomfort, and lowering the risk of falls. Examples include weight-training exercises, elastic band exercises, and bodyweight exercises like squats and push-ups. 
2. Coordination and balance exercises: Enhancing balance and coordination is a key goal of physical therapy. PTs incorporate drills that challenge and improve these aspects of mobility. Some examples include one-legged standing balance exercises, walking on a balance beam or line, and squatting on the balls of your feet with the aid of a chair. 
3. Ambulation exercises: Ambulation exercises pertain to walking with the assistance of crutches, a walker, a cane, or independently. If walking is challenging, physical therapists employ specific activities to enhance mobility. These may involve stair climbing, jogging, shuffle walking (walking backward), and sidestepping (moving sideways).

Finding a physical therapist near you in California, Los Angeles

A physical therapist can assist you in swiftly returning to your regular activities and guard against further damage to your body or disability. They specialize in enhancing your health and regaining your range of motion. Finding a competent physical therapist, however, can be difficult. But with Zocdoc, you can quickly locate the top physical therapists in Los Angeles, California.

To start your search, enter your symptoms, the area of expertise you want, your insurance information, or your current location. Zocdoc will provide a list of highly regarded professionals who meet your requirements. Each medical professional has a distinctive profile that includes information about their training, specialization, services provided, areas of interest, languages spoken, and gender. You can also consult verifiable testimonials and ratings from prior clients for your final decision.

Once you've found the best physical therapist near you, you can book an in-person or virtual session with them based on their availability.

On Zocdoc, booking an appointment is easy, safe, and 100% free!

Physical therapy statistics for California, United States

Physical therapists can assist in easing pain or correcting restricted physical movement brought on by various diseases and ailments, such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

According to a study from "The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy," there were approximately 312,716 certified physical therapists nationwide as of 2019. Also, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that California has the largest employment of physical therapists in the country.

As per America's Health Rankings, in 2020, over 19.7% of California's adult population had some arthritis. Men (16%) were less likely to experience it than women (23.2%). Another issue in California is obesity. In 2020, around 30.3% of adults in America had a body mass index of 30 or more, which is considered obese. Obesity was equally prevalent in males (30.7%) and women (29.8%), although it was much higher among those aged 45 to 64 (35.2%) in the state. According to the same source, about 7% of California's adult population had a cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis in 2020.

Sources

MedicalNewsToday

American Physical Therapy Association[1]

ExploreHealthCareers.org

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

American Physical Therapy Association[2]

America's Health Rankings[1]

America's Health Rankings[2]

America's Health Rankings[3]

In Motion O.C.

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.