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Who is a physical therapist?

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals with expertise in diagnosing and treating neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. They assist people with injuries by helping them minimize discomfort, regain functionality, and improve their range of motion. Additionally, they provide treatment and rehabilitation for those with chronic debilitating diseases such as myopathies. These specialists work in numerous settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, athletic facilities, clinics, and schools. 

Roles and responsibilities of a physical therapist

Physical therapists have various responsibilities. Here are a few mentioned below: 

• Assessing a patient's medical history and analyzing their presenting complaints
• Carrying out a general physical examination to examine vitals and trigger points
• Specific joint and muscle examination, along with the surrounding tendons and ligaments
• Performing various clinical tests to arrive at a provisional diagnosis
• Recommending diagnostic or imaging tests to evaluate the patient better
• Creating a customized treatment plan for a patient based on their diagnosis
• Use of stretches, devices, hands-on therapy, and exercises to ease a patient's pain. These will improve mobility, help manage discomfort, and prevent future injuries. 
• Analyzing and documenting the patient's growth and modifying the care plan based on their progress.

Educational qualification and training of a physical therapist

A DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree from an accredited university is mandatory before passing a state licensure exam and practicing as a physical therapist in the U.S. Typically, a professional DPT course lasts three years. Biology and anatomical sciences, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, etc., are the main subjects taught in this field.

The didactic and lab portions of the DPT curriculum make up around 80% of the program, and clinical teaching makes up the remaining 20%. The final clinical experience for physical therapy students lasts over 27.5 weeks. However, before enrolling in this course, most programs demand that candidates hold a bachelor's degree. Some institutions require students to finish at least three years of specific pre-professional (undergraduate/pre-physical therapy) education before enrolling in a three-year professional DPT program.

What is the difference between a physical therapist and a chiropractor?

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 with patients at home or in any healthcare environment. In contrast, chiropractors need specialized equipment and spaces to perform manipulations and adjustments.

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

Common conditions treated by physical therapy

Physical therapists generally provide supplementary treatment for various medical conditions. They don't treat medical conditions independently or directly other than musculoskeletal issues. However, they work with patients to enhance their recovery period and advise them on the best exercises to optimize movement patterns. Various conditions treated by physical therapy include:

• Sports injuries like tennis elbow, concussions
• Conditions affecting the hands, including rigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cardiopulmonary conditions include cystic fibroids, post-myocardial infarction, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Neurological conditions include spine injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, vestibular dysfunction, and Parkinson's disease.
• Musculoskeletal dysfunction issues include rotator cuff tears and temporomandibular joint disorders.
• Pediatric conditions like muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy
• Skin injury or conditions include wound care, diabetic ulcers, and burns
• Female health issues include pelvic floor dysfunction, lymphedema, and urinary incontinence

What to wear for your physical therapy sessions?

Physical therapy sessions mostly require a lot of training, workouts, and muscle-centric therapies; hence, you must wear comfortable clothing. Here are a few suggestions for dressing up for your physical therapy appointments.

• Avoid wearing clothing restricting movement or access to the top half of your body, such as the neck, shoulders, arms, or back, especially if you have an injury. 

• If you have neck pain, wear a loose T-shirt to allow the therapist to access your upper back and neck. Please wear a hair tie if you have long hair. However, in cases of a shoulder injury, you may be required to take your shirt off to better examine the shoulder joint and its movements.

• Wear a good sports bra and elastic-waisted shorts if these areas need to be examined. 

• Your therapist should be able to move and evaluate your hips if you are experiencing hip discomfort and receiving treatment for your lower body (legs and knees). Shorts will be your best bet, and wearing a pair with an elastic waistband is necessary. Wearing overly tight clothing that limits your range of motion is not recommended. 

• If you have knee problems, you must wear shorts. Avoid leggings, as it might be difficult to roll them up. Ensure your thighs, knees, and lower legs are visible and accessible to the therapist for better evaluation.

• Wear socks and shoes while receiving physical therapy for your feet and ankles. If you have any issues affecting your lower extremities, your physical therapist may begin your sessions immediately. Wearing sneakers or other athletic footwear is encouraged for the same reason. Avoid wearing sandals with exposed toes and casual, lightweight shoes like Crocs. Never wear high heels to physical therapy appointments.

How to find a top-rated physical therapist near you?

Untreated injuries or continuous pain can lead to incapacity and long-term disability. Physical therapy can speed healing and efficiently manage chronic disability in adults and children. It may take time to locate a licensed physical therapist who best understands your needs. However, Zocdoc makes finding qualified medical specialists from your home more accessible with only a few clicks. 

To avoid the inconveniences of traveling to a hospital or clinic, schedule a virtual appointment with a physical therapist on Zocdoc. You can also make in-person appointments with your chosen provider. Sign up for a free account on the Zocdoc website and enter information such as your symptoms, location, insurance company, and preferred appointment time.

A list of top-rated healthcare professionals will appear. Then, you can narrow your search results of physical therapists by location, gender, time of day, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, and whether or not they treat children. From the drop-down box, select your insurance carrier and plan to see in-network service providers only. 

To help users make an informed choice, Zocdoc also provides information about each doctor's educational background, including their clinical training, experience, credentials, licenses, awards, and accreditations. Another method for selecting the best physical therapist near you is reading reliable patient reviews. All Zocdoc users can set up appointments a week in advance, on the same day after 5 p.m., and even on the weekend, depending on the chosen provider. All bookings on Zocdoc are quick, secure, and completely free!

Statistical overview of the prevalence of disability and physical therapist workforce in Illinois

Data reviewed in 2022 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reflects that almost 2,320,119 adults (nearly 23% of adults) have a disability in Illinois. Individuals with disabilities suffer from mobility issues the most. Out of all the adults with disabilities, almost 11% have mobility issues, i.e., great difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Nearly 5% of individuals with disabilities face challenges in living independently. It includes facing challenges doing daily chores alone, like grocery shopping or visiting a doctor. Almost 2% of adults with disabilities struggle to do self-care, like bathing or dressing. 

Fortunately, Illinois is one of the states with the highest employment level of physical therapists to tackle these issues. The employment of physical therapists in Illinois ranges between 5,360 and 23,840, according to the 2021 data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to their report, Naperville falls under the metropolitan areas with the highest employment level of physical therapists (nearly 7,140). 

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

VerywellHealth

American Physical Therapy Association

WebMD

Healthline

Medical News Today

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.