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What is a physical therapist?

A physical therapist is a healthcare specialist who evaluates and treats people with injuries or conditions that limit their ability to perform physical activities. They also help you manage symptoms like stiffness, pain, and discomfort that could result in motion loss. 

Physical therapists use massages, exercises, hot and cold packs, and electrical stimulation to help relieve pain, strengthen muscles, and improve movement. They may help you manage your injuries or illness related to:

• Neurological system (brain)
• Integumentary system (skin)
• Musculoskeletal system (bones and muscles)
• Cardiopulmonary system (heart and lungs)

Physical therapists help and treat people across all age groups. People also visit them to get advice on how to prevent future problems from occurring and becoming healthier overall. Physical therapists work in multiple environments, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, clinics, and athletic facilities.

What training does physical therapists receive?

Physical therapists complete an undergraduate program; next, they earn a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree from a physical therapy program Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited. Some DPT programs also offer a six-year curriculum where aspiring physical therapists without a bachelor’s degree spend three years completing prerequisite courses before advancing to graduate training. 

DPT programs are typically three years long and include coursework in biology, anatomy, kinesiology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology, etc. Around 80% of the program focuses on classroom and lab lessons, while the remaining 20% involves hands-on clinical training. After graduating, physical therapists pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and state licensure exams to start practicing.

While board certification is not necessary, many physical therapists choose to complete a residency program to specialize in an area of clinical practice. This allows them to earn one of the following certifications the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties recognizes:

• Sports
• Oncology
• Geriatrics
• Pediatrics
• Neurology
• Orthopedics
• Women's Health
• Wound Management
• Clinical Electrophysiology
• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary

How are physical therapists different from chiropractors?

Physical therapy and chiropractic treatment have some similarities. Both treat pain and stiffness in your body and are practiced by licensed professionals. However, their approach can be slightly different.

Physical therapy is focused on how the body moves and functions as a whole. The primary goal of physical therapists is pain-free movement. They help you perform stretches and exercises and some manipulations for certain conditions to improve your mobility. Physical therapists work in multiple set-ups and work environments, including making house calls.

Comparatively, a chiropractor's primary goal includes pain relief and alignment of the spine. They focus on issues related to neck pain, back pain, headaches, and joint pain in the arms or legs. Chiropractors perform adjustments and manipulations, helping your body heal itself. They usually need specialized areas and equipment to practice.

Different types of physical therapy

There are six main classifications of physical therapy with their benefits. These include:

• Geriatric Physical therapy: focuses on helping senior adults with weakened muscles adjust posture and gait and even help reduce the likelihood of future injuries. 
• Pediatric physical therapy: focuses on children who need help building strength in their muscles and skeletal system.
• Vestibular rehabilitation: focuses on the inner ear that causes dizziness. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of this sudden dizziness or vertigo. This therapy involves strengthening muscles for increased steadiness and balance training.
• Orthopedic physical therapy: focuses on healing long-term damage to the muscles. Orthopedic physical therapy is often used to improve muscle strength that is lost due to atrophy from immobility or even the prolonged reduction in use of a muscle due to an injury.
• Neurological physical therapy: focuses on issues or injuries related to the brain and/or spine. These practitioners can help patients improve the quality of life in a big way.
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy: is a rare therapy that can benefit patients with severe heart or circulatory system problems or disorders. 

What are some conditions treated using physical therapy?

A physical therapist can treat any condition that limits your movement or makes it difficult for you to use your body's full range of motion. Patients are often advised by doctors and other professionals to see a physical therapist if needed. 

You could be suggested to seek physical therapy to treat common conditions, including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Trigger finger and trigger thumb.
• Back pain
• Urinary incontinence
• Lymphedema

You might need physical therapy after an injury, especially if it includes the following:

• A spinal cord injury
• Concussions
• Rotator cuff tears
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (pain or tenderness of your jaw)

You can also see a physical therapist near you if you need treatment for chronic/long-term disorders that make it hard for you to move, including:

• Cerebral palsy
• Parkinson's disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy

What are the benefits of physical therapy?

Physical therapy – a combination of education about how your body works – and functional exercises offers various benefits. Physical therapists can help you relieve chronic pain, recover from an injury, or even step up your performance in your chosen sport. 

• Physical therapy can lower your risk of aggravating an existing injury

A strain, tear, or similar trauma can stress your injury more if left unattended. A physical therapist will assess your wound or injury and teach you about which movements are generally safe and which can worsen your pain or further damage the area. 

• Physical therapy can improve athletic performance

Physical therapy is not just about treating injuries. Your physical therapist can also help you determine which muscle to focus on and the right exercises to improve your strength and flexibility, which can increase your efficiency in your chosen sport. Regular physical therapy sessions also help you prepare your muscles for repetitive movements and reduce the risk of injury.

• Physical therapy can help you heal from a traumatic event

Physical therapy can reduce the symptoms of many injuries and adverse events such as car accidents or strokes. With specific focus on muscles during exercises, physical therapists can help patients build strength, achieve better overall health, and, in some cases, avoid surgery. 

• Physical therapy can improve mobility and balance

Older people often receive physical therapy to learn how to move around without having to use walkers or canes and avoiding falls.

• Physical therapy can reduce chronic pain

After thoroughly assessing the condition, physical therapists can create plans to relieve patients from chronic pains caused due to injuries or diseases such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.

What to expect from your first physical therapy appointment

Your physical therapist will start by asking what brings you to the clinic. Next, they will evaluate your symptoms, perform necessary tests, and devise a treatment plan. You will also have to fill out preliminary forms and a few additional ones, depending on your condition. 

Your physical therapist will assess your vital signs and might ask you to do some exercises to check your gait, posture, coordination, and muscle function. Wear comfortable athletic clothing like t-shirts, shorts, tanks, sweatpants, or yoga pants to your physical therapy appointment. This way, your physical therapist can easily observe specific joints and muscles as you move, which helps them make a diagnosis. If a particular exercise seems too challenging, communicate honestly with your therapist. This way, they can gain further insight into your concerns. 

By the end of the session, your physical therapist will come up with a home exercise regime comprising simple stretches and exercises to help you manage your specific health concerns. Overall, your first session should last between 45 to 60 minutes.

How to find the best physical therapist near you in Oak Park, Illinois?

The easiest way to find the best physical therapists in Oak Park, Illinois, is via Zocdoc – the best online appointment-booking platform that can help you select the most suitable provider near you in a matter of minutes. All you need to do is create a free account on the Zocdoc website and start looking for a provider.

You can begin your search by entering the specialty, preferred location, insurance type, or appointment date. A comprehensive list based on your search criteria will appear on the screen. Further, you can narrow down your search results using filters such as languages spoken by the doctor, their gender, visit type, etc. 

What is more, Zocdoc provides you with a unique profile of every listed physical therapist near you. This would include details on their qualification, accreditations, board certifications, experience, awards, whether or not they treat children, etc. All this information helps you better know your provider and choose wisely. Once you have shortlisted some providers, you can go through Zocdoc's verified patient reviews and user ratings to compare the services before finalizing one.

Zocdoc also has telehealth options, allowing you to book video appointments in case you are not able to go for an in-person visit. All appointment bookings made through Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!

Stats on physical therapists and falls in older adults in Illinois, US

According to 2021 reports published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 225,350 physical therapists are actively providing services across the United States. Corresponding figures for Illinois were around 8,590 physical therapists for the same year. 

As per reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 28% of US adults (one in every four) aged 65 and older report falling each year. This makes the number around 36 million each year. In 2020, around 19.9% (approximately 399,651) of older adults in Illinois reported falling.

Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among adults (aged 65 and older). Notably, the fall death rate has increased by 41% from 55.3 (per 100,000 population) in 2012 to 78.0 (per 100,000 population) in 2021. In 2021, falls led to around 1,200 deaths (death rate 62.2%) in Illinois adults aged 65 and older. This shows a continuous increase in the death rate due to falls over the years.

Sources

WebMD LLC

PDH Academy

Cleveland Clinic

Healthline

St. Luke's Health

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]

GoodRx

Coursera

Healthgrades

Verywell Health

American Physical Therapy Association[1]

American Physical Therapy Association[2]

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.