Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists specialize in evaluating and rehabilitating patients who have sustained or are at risk for injuries or illnesses that impair their range of motion and ability to move. A qualified physical therapist can treat and care for people of all ages, from babies to older people.
In other terms, they are specialists who help treat problems with the body's musculoskeletal system, comprising the bones, muscles, nervous system (brain), cardiovascular system (heart and lungs), and integumentary system (skin).
Physical therapists provide therapy in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, athletic facilities, long-term care institutions, hospices, schools, research institutes, and government agencies. They advise patients regarding healthy lifestyle changes to reduce the likelihood of getting hurt. They do so through exercises, stretches, and other hands-on treatments.
What is the educational background of physical therapists?
Physical therapists in the United States must first earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a school approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and then pass the National Physical Therapy exam by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
To enter a physical therapy program in the United States, it is often mandatory to complete an undergraduate degree. In certain schools, aspirants may earn their bachelor's degree in three years and then their DPT in another four years. High school students can enroll in physical therapy programs at several institutions after college.
After their DPT, physical therapists must complete a residency program, allowing them to dive deeper into a particular practice area. Students in the United States may need to pass additional certification examinations before working in some jurisdictions and earn a board certification from The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).
What are the different subspecialties for physical therapists?
The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties recognizes the following subspecialties:
- Cardiopulmonary (cardiovascular and pulmonary) physical therapists help patients manage various heart and lung conditions. Candidates pursuing this specialization must also be certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
- Wound management: Wound management was added to the list of subspecialties in 2022. Its multidisciplinary focus allows physical therapists to treat both superficial and deep wounds.Â
- Clinical electrophysiology: Electrophysiology clinical specialists (ECS) treat medical conditions pertaining to nerve and muscle damage. In order to become an ECS, all candidates must have completed a fellowship program in clinical electrophysiology within the last ten years.Â
- Women's health: Physical therapists specializing in women's health focus on medical conditions affecting women of all ages, including conditions related to pregnancy and menopause. They also help with pre and postpartum issues like low back or pelvic pain.
- Neurology: Neurology clinical specialists (NCS) treat patients with various nerve disorders, injuries, and implants. They typically work in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
- Geriatrics: Physical therapists specializing in geriatrics cater to adults over 65. They help patients with various musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, including - but not limited to - osteoporosis, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Pediatrics: Pediatric physical therapists treat medical conditions - such as musculoskeletal issues, injuries, and genetic, brain, or nerve disorders - in children and teens under 18.Â
- Oncology: Physical therapists specializing in oncology help patients recovering from cancer manage symptoms like weakness, chronic pain, and loss of bone density.Â
- Orthopedics: Orthopedic specialists treat injuries and medical conditions affecting bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. They also help patients recovering from surgery or chronic musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis.
- Sports: Sports physical therapists receive training to treat professional and amateur athletes. To become a sports clinical specialist (SCS), physical therapists must be certified in Acute Management of Injury and Illness. They must also earn a CPR certification by clearing one of these courses - American Red Cross's CPR for the Professional Rescuer or American Heart Association's BLS Healthcare Provider Course.
What kind of conditions require physical therapy?Â
Physical therapy may be recommended for several conditions or post-surgical recovery. Depending on your condition, your treatment may last weeks or even months. Here are some common illnesses managed through physical therapy:Â
Â
- Arthritis: A condition characterized by inflammation or pain and swelling in the joints, arthritis often worsens with age. Physical therapy can improve the movement and use of the joints affected by arthritis. It also increases strength and allows an arthritis patient to perform daily activities. Moreover, physical therapists also teach arthritis patients how to maintain posture and use assistive devices such as walkers and canes. They may also recommend other therapies, such as hot and cold therapy, to alleviate joint pain.Â
- Low back pain: Individuals with low back pain often have stiffness and spasms, which cause extreme pain and make it difficult to stand up, walk, or even move. Strains and sprains, disk problems, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, arthritis, and spinal tumors can lead to lower back pain. For most types of back pain, such as axial back pain and sciatica, the first line of treatment is physical therapy. However, depending on the cause, medications, injections, or surgery. Physical therapy exercises for back pain include- core strengthening exercises, posture correction, aerobic exercises like walking, and hip and leg exercises like lunges or stretches.Â
- Muscular dystrophy is characterized by symptoms like muscle pain and stiffness, a waddling gait, learning disabilities, and delayed growth. Muscular dystrophy is a condition that causes loss of muscle mass and weakness. Along with several medicinal and surgical interventions, doctors also recommend physical therapy to manage muscular dystrophy. Certain range-of-motion and low-impact exercises can help the joints maintain flexibility and strength.Â
- Stroke- A stroke may occur when blood flow to the brain is restricted and can be as severe as experiencing a heart attack. Strokes can lead to many health issues depending on which area of the brain has suffered damage. Individuals may experience fatigue, become paralyzed, have weakness on one side of the body, have speaking words, have swallowing problems, and pain or numbness after a stroke. Physical therapy helps patients relearn essential motor functions such as walking, lying down, standing, and sitting,Â
What is the benefit of physical therapy in current times?Â
Physical therapy sessions are not something you only undertake when dealing with ailments; you can also choose them to avoid future issues. It can help decrease the need for pain relievers and is an excellent alternative to surgery for treating various medical conditions. After an accident or injury, individuals may benefit from physical therapy to regain strength and mobility. It is beneficial for people suffering from age-related movement loss or a stroke.Â
Physical therapy can also help people who have been injured in accidents. Its primary objective is to reduce patients' levels of discomfort while also improving their mobility, level of function, and overall quality of life. Further, if you are an athlete who needs to improve their areas of weakness and wishes to learn how to use their muscles more efficiently, you can visit a physical therapist near you who specializes in preventing sports injuries and enhancing athletic performance.
How to prepare for a visit to a physical therapist?Â
The following steps will help make the most out of a physical therapy appointment :Â
- Write down your symptoms and complaints before you see your physical therapist. It will enable you to maximize the effectiveness of your appointment.
- Remember to carry the findings of any examinations and body assessments you have had. If you do so, the therapist can link your medical history to your current condition.
- Your therapist will also request copies of any medicines you now have or have had in the past, including prescription, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements.
- List any genetic or inherited illnesses in your family, and share relevant health problems affecting your parents or siblings for your physical therapist to understand your medical history.
- It is a good idea to keep a record of any pertinent information you suspect may have played a role in causing your ailment. It might be something upsetting recently, an injury, or something in your surroundings.
- Wearing something comfortable for your first physical therapy session is also beneficial.
These specifics will assist your physical therapist in assessing your underlying problem and creating a complementary and personalized treatment plan for you.
Find a physical therapist near you in Montclair, NJ
Be it pediatric therapists for your child or a sports physical therapist for you, it can be challenging to find the right doctor due to the wide variety of available subspecialties. However, with Zocdoc, you can easily find the best physical therapists in Montclair, New Jersey!
Enter your symptoms, the specialization you seek, or your location to begin your search. You will receive a list of top-rated specialists matching your criteria. Each medical practitioner has a unique profile with details like their education, specialty, services, areas of interest, languages spoken, and gender. You may also access verified reviews and ratings from previous patients to make your final choice.
After deciding on the best physical therapist near you, book an in-person or virtual appointment based on their availability.
All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!
Physical therapy statistics for New Jersey
 According to the State of New Jersey Department of Health, over 1.4 million people in New Jersey, between 18 to 75, have arthritis. Statistics show that women (895,000) are more prone to the disorder than men (533,000). Juvenile arthritis (J.A.) is a common childhood disorder affecting more than 8,600 kids in New Jersey. Physical therapy has the potential to relieve the discomfort associated with arthritis, lessen the need for pain medication, and postpone or prevent the necessity of surgical intervention.Â
In 2022, the New Jersey State Police recorded 498 accidents, often resulting in musculoskeletal issues requiring physical therapy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the New Jersey workplace fatality rate in 2020 was 82. Regional Chief Economist Martin Kohli found an increase in fatalities on the job in New Jersey compared to the prior year. From 145 in 1993, the number of fatal workplace accidents in the state steadily decreased to 69 in 2017. Fatal injuries to bones and muscles, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the integumentary system can sometimes be an assured cause of death. However, a physical therapist might be able to avoid such fatalities.Â
Sources
WebMD
Medical News Today
Banner Health
Cleveland Clinic[1]
American Physical Therapy Association
State of New Jersey Department of Health
New Jersey State Police
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
American Physical Therapy Association
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Pathways.org
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Spine-health
Healthline
Arthritis Foundation
National Institute on Aging
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Verywell Health
Arthritis Foundation
