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Who is a physical therapist?

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals dedicated to assisting individuals in preserving, improving, and recovering their optimal movement and functional capabilities across their entire lifespan. This includes treating physical impairments caused by injury, disease, or other conditions.

People from all age groups can benefit from physical therapy, from newborns to the elderly. They often work in team settings with other physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, physicians, and surgeons. Hospitals, clinics, private practices, home health agencies, schools, and nursing homes are all places where physical therapy can be provided.

Physical therapy primarily aims to enhance or repair function lost due to injury, disease, or other causes. Physical therapists use several techniques to help patients regain movement and function. Exercises, stretching, traction, electrical stimulation, and massage may be used.

Education and training of physical therapists in the United States of America

The minimum education requirement for entry-level physical therapy positions is a bachelor's degree; some employers may require or prefer applicants with a master's degree.

Applicants for admission to a professional doctoral program in physical therapy must have a bachelor's degree and all prerequisite coursework to be considered. It typically takes three years to complete professional postgraduate programs. Prerequisite courses usually include human anatomy, physiology, and various health and wellness topics.

Physical therapists must obtain licensure to practice. Licensing requirements differ by state, but all states need candidates to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

What conditions can physical therapy help improve?

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in addressing various health conditions, both chronic and acute, either as a standalone treatment or as part of a comprehensive healthcare plan involving medication or surgery. Here are some common conditions that benefit from physical therapy: 

• Arthritis: This common condition is characterized by symptoms like joint pain, inflammation, and swelling and affects the feet, hands, knees, lower back, and hips. To treat arthritis, your physical therapist may recommend strengthening exercises to build muscle strength, range-of-motion exercises to reduce joint stiffness, and aerobic exercises to maintain overall fitness. These exercises are often straightforward and suitable for patients of all ages to perform at home. However, physical therapists also offer their services in hospitals or specialized clinic settings. 

• Sprains, strains, and fractures: Injuries resulting from sports activities or other common incidents, such as falling or tripping over objects, can lead to sprains, strains, or fractures. For such injuries, your physical therapist may recommend the RICE method (i.e., Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), followed by physical exercises for a short period to increase mobility. 

• Bursitis: Bursitis involves the inflammation of bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs that cushion and reduce friction between tissues near major joints like the elbows, hips, shoulders, and knees. It can be painful and limit mobility. Physical therapists employ exercises along with other treatments such as heat and ice therapy or massage to enhance functional mobility in patients with bursitis. For instance, these patients may undergo exercises like hip bridges, hip rotator stretches, and straight leg raises. 

• Parkinson's disease: This degenerative disorder affects the central nervous system. People with Parkinson's disease experience tremors, rigid muscles, poor posture, imbalance, and loss of automatic movements like blinking. Physical therapy programs include reciprocal movements, balance training, and amplitude training to improve strength and help patients maintain independence.. 

• Stroke: A person who has suffered a stroke can have many health problems, depending on which part of their brain is affected. A stroke often leaves a person weak or paralyzed (typically on one side of the body). Moreover, it can lead to pain, numbness, and chewing and swallowing problems. Physical therapy plays an important role in stroke recovery by helping patients regain physical function and relearn essential daily activities such as walking, standing, sitting, and lying down. 

Types of physical therapy

There are different types of physical therapy that physical therapists can specialize in. Some common examples include:

• Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: People with cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions can benefit from this physical therapy by gaining strength and improving their fitness.
• Aquatic therapy: This physical therapy aims to improve movement and function through water exercises. It can treat various conditions, including arthritis, back pain, and cerebral palsy.
• Geriatric physical therapy: This is a physical therapy for older people that focuses on helping them manage age-related changes and stay independent for as long as possible. It can address balance problems, osteoporosis, incontinence, and more.
• Neurological rehabilitation: People with neurological conditions benefit from this physical therapy.

Benefits of physical therapy

Physical therapy offers many advantages to patients. Here's how you can benefit from seeing a physical therapist near you- 

• Pain relief: Physical therapy can be an extremely effective way to relieve pain from injuries, chronic conditions, and more.
• Improved balance and coordination: Physical therapy can also improve a patient's balance and coordination. This is important for preventing falls and injuries and helping with daily living activities.
• Increased mobility: As an additional benefit of physical therapy, it can improve a patient's mobility. This is especially beneficial for those with conditions that limit mobility, such as arthritis or stroke.
• Increased strength: Lastly, physical therapy can improve a patient's strength, which is vital for their overall health and well-being.

Impact of physical therapy on mental health

Our mental health significantly impacts our physical health and vice versa. When we experience mental well-being, we tend to be more inclined to prioritize our physical health; when we feel physically fit, we tend to feel better mentally. However, there are times when our mental health suffers, which can lead to physical health problems. This is where physical therapy can help. Improving mental health through physical therapy helps in the following:

• Improving sleep: Physical therapists can help identify any factors that might interfere with your sleep and recommend improving your sleep hygiene.
• Reducing stress and anxiety: A physical therapist can design an individualized exercise program tailored to your needs and goals to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Exercise releases endorphins, which improve mood.
• Managing chronic pain: Physical therapy can help manage chronic pain through various methods such as pain education, exercises, manual therapy, etc.

Find the best physical therapist near you in Mesa, Arizona

Getting started is as easy as registering on Zocdoc for free. You can find a Mesa, Arizona, physical therapist by filtering based on location and insurance coverage with our extensive database of medical specialists. With our innovative technology, we can provide you with a list of possible matches in just a few minutes.

Once you have a list, click on individual profiles of physical therapists who meet your criteria for additional information. In addition to board certification, hospital affiliations, specialties, accreditations, and academic qualifications, profiles also include awards and accolades. A physical therapist's language, gender, experience, ratings, and reviews can also be considered.

Zocdoc's straightforward booking process allows you to schedule appointments with a physical therapist near you on weekends and after regular office hours.

All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!

Statistics about Parkinson's Disease in the U.S.

A professional physical therapist guides you through the right moves to increase mobility, strength, and balance and help you remain independent. Exercise may benefit patients with Parkinson's disease, but physical therapy is crucial. Retraining the muscles slows the onset of hypokinesia, the increasingly small and shuffling movements that occur with Parkinson's.

According to the recent data provided by the Parkinson's Foundation, in the United States, approximately one million people have Parkinson's disease (PD). This is expected to increase to 1.2 million by 2030. Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease.

Parkinson's disease affects more than 90,000 people in the U.S. each year. Although Parkinson's disease incidence increases, 4% are diagnosed before age 50. Men are 1.5 times likelier to develop Parkinson's disease than women. In Arizona, the death rate due to Parkinson's disease is nearly 9.5 (deaths per 100,000 total population) as per a 2021 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sources

WebMD

Stanford Health Care

Whitehall of Deerfield Healthcare

St. Luke's Health

The College of St. Scholastica

Parkinson's Foundation

Mayo Clinic[1]

Mayo Clinic[2]

National Institute on Aging

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Johns Hopkins Medicine[1]

Johns Hopkins Medicine[2]

Verywell Health 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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.