What are physical therapists?
Physical therapists are health specialists who treat disorders related to the bones, muscles, brains, heart, lungs, and skin. The therapists help people of all ages by advising them about healthy lifestyles and the prevention of diseases. The therapist will start your treatment with a physical examination to understand your condition and use a combination of exercise, stretching, different equipment, and hands-on techniques to prepare a treatment plan unique to your needs. The therapist will concentrate on improving your movements and the range of motion of specific body parts. Regular therapy can decrease your dependency on medication or surgery.
Physical therapists specialize in different focus areas such as oncology (cancer), orthopedics (bone, joint, and spinal issues), neurology, sports, and pediatrics.
What is the role of physical therapists?
Physical therapists collaborate with doctors, surgeons, nurses, sports coaches, social workers, educators, nurses, and physical therapy assistants in various healthcare settings. They discuss a patient's concerns and observe the patient walk, stand, and perform various physical tasks. It helps with a proper diagnosis. They can design a customized care plan based on their observation, medical expertise, available medical research, and the patient's goals and expectations.
Physical therapists also evaluate patients' responses and progress to the care plan and make modifications when required. They ensure the treatment plan is implemented correctly for optimal health outcomes.
Regular physical therapy sessions help therapists identify weak areas in the body that may be prone to bodily injury. Accordingly, they can recommend lifestyle adjustments, healthcare routines, and regular screenings to strengthen weak areas and prevent damage.
What kind of education and training do physical therapists receive?
Physical therapists go through years of training before they start practicing. Before the therapists start their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, they complete a bachelor's degree, which takes three to four years. They spend three years in a professional DPT program.
Once the therapists are licensed, they can gain more experience by participating in clinical residency or fellowship programs. Therapists can also become board-certified clinical specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certification process.
Physical therapy subspecialties
The different subspecialties in physical therapy include the following:
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation: The specialty treats various conditions affecting the pelvic floor area. These could include pelvic pain (due to surgery, injuries, or disorders), urinary urgency, and urinary or fecal incontinence.
- Orthopedic physical therapy: This focuses on musculoskeletal injuries involving bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Treatments include manual therapy, mobility training, strength training, and joint mobilization.
- Vestibular therapy: This therapy treats balance issues caused by inner ear conditions. It involves various manual techniques and exercises that help the patient regain coordination and balance.
- Geriatric physical therapy: This focuses on conditions affecting older adults' bodily functions and mobility. They could include Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, balance disorders, incontinence, and hip and joint replacement. The therapy reduces pain, restores mobility, and improves physical fitness.
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: The specialty focuses on treating people suffering from the effects of surgical procedures and cardiopulmonary conditions. Treatments work to improve cardiovascular and muscular endurance and stamina.
- Neurological physical therapy: It focuses on treating people with neurological conditions like brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Treatments work to improve movement patterns and limb responsiveness, promote balance, and improve strength.
- Wound care therapy: The therapy focuses on holistic wound healing. It ensures the wound receives adequate blood and oxygen to accelerate healing by improving overall blood circulation. Treatments may include compression therapy, manual therapy, e-stim, and wound care.
- Decongestive therapy: This focuses on draining the accumulated fluids from the body. It relieves patients suffering from lymphedema and other disorders involving fluid accumulation.
How is a physical therapist different from a chiropractor?
Although physical therapy and chiropractic care are similar, as both professions manage pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions and use nonsurgical techniques, their approach to treating patients may differ. Understanding the difference between the two providers can help you make a better-informed decision.
A physical therapist focuses on improving the entire body's mobility by recommending rehabilitative exercises and wellness techniques. On the other hand, chiropractic care involves performing certain adjustments or manipulations to realign body parts that may have restricted motion due to injury or a degenerative disorder. It helps alleviate the pain and discomfort in that part of the body. A doctor may also recommend physical therapy after surgery for faster recovery of that body part as it may assist patients in walking or climbing up the stairs post-operation.
Chiropractors often focus on the treatment of the lower back and neck. They also order X-rays to examine bones and the spine to locate a possible spinal subluxation. While physical therapists can also treat the spine, they are more likely to recommend exercises to increase strength and range of motion than to perform an adjustment.
You may find more similarities between the two professions than differences. So, while choosing between the two, you could first consult your primary care physician, who could refer you to chiropractors or physical therapists, depending on your particular condition and its symptoms.
Common conditions treated by physical therapists
Although physical therapists might not independently treat a condition, they can optimize recovery and provide additional treatment for various conditions based on their specialties.
Some common conditions that can benefit from physical therapies are:
- Cardiopulmonary conditions, including cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and post-myocardial infarction heart failure
- Conditions affecting the hand (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Musculoskeletal dysfunction, including back pain and rotator cuff tears
- Neurological conditions like spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries
- Pediatric conditions (like cerebral palsy/muscular dystrophy)
- Sports-related injuries like concussions and tennis elbow
- Skin conditions such as wound care, burns, and diabetic ulcers
Benefits of physical therapy
There are several benefits of visiting a physical therapist near you. Some include:
- Pain management with decreased doses of opioids
- Avoiding surgery through regular therapy
- Improved mobility and movement
- Better recovery from stroke or paralysis
- Recovery from injury and trauma
- Fall prevention through better muscle movements
- Improved balance
- Management of age-related medical problems such as arthritis Sports therapy is a specialty of physical therapy that helps athletes enhance their performances by strengthening specific body parts and using muscles. Therapy also allows them to recover from injury faster.
What should you expect when making an appointment with a physical therapist?
Physical therapy can help patients in all stages of the healing process. It can also be used as an independent treatment method for certain musculoskeletal conditions or as support for other therapies. The doctors treating your disease will refer you to a physical therapist, or you can seek treatment. The therapist will perform the following steps during a typical appointment:
- They will conduct a physical exam, evaluate your movement, flexibility, muscle, and joint motion, and ask for your medical history to identify your issues.
- They will provide a clinical diagnosis and treatment plan to tackle your short and long-term goals.
- They will perform physical therapy, which includes manipulation and methods like iontophoresis, which uses electrical current to deliver specific medications to decrease inflammation. They also use laser therapy to treat certain conditions.
- The therapists will also provide self-management recommendations, such as exercises and stretching, that you can perform at home.
What should you wear for a physical therapy appointment?
When attending a physical therapy (PT) appointment, selecting the right clothing is crucial for comfort, ease of movement, and effective treatment, especially if you are recovering from surgery, injury, or illness.
For injuries involving the upper body, such as the neck, shoulders, arms, or back, wear loose-fitting attire that allows easy access to the affected area. A scoop-neck T-shirt, tank top, or sports bra are good choices. Avoid tight shirts, which can restrict movement and hinder proper evaluation and treatment. If you have long hair, a hair tie can keep it out of the way.
For lower body injuries, such as those affecting the hips, legs, or knees, it’s best to wear shorts with an elastic waistband. Tight pants or leggings may limit your movement and make it harder for your therapist to assess the area properly. For foot and ankle injuries, wear socks and supportive athletic shoes. Your therapist may need to observe your walking pattern in boots and barefoot. Avoid wearing sandals, Crocs, or high heels, as they do not provide adequate support.
Before heading to your PT session, consider your condition and choose clothing that allows your therapist to examine and treat the necessary areas easily. Avoid restrictive items like turtlenecks, necklaces, or tight sleeves. Check if the clinic offers a changing room if you are coming directly from work or a formal event. If modesty is a concern, the clinic or hospital can provide towels or sheets for draping.
Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing will help ensure your therapy sessions run smoothly. This will let you focus on recovery and achieve the best possible results.
What treatments do physical therapists offer?
Most physical therapy treatments aim to improve the patient's quality of life by increasing the range of motion of an injured body part or one affected by musculoskeletal disorders. The type and length of your rehabilitation program depend on your condition, severity, goals, and progress. When you visit a physical therapist near you, they may use a combination of two or more treatment methods:
- Exercises: Exercises increase flexibility and range of motion. Some can require a patient to relax (passive activities), while others require pressure to be applied to a body part (active exercises). Typical physical therapy exercises include stretching, hip rotations, squats, balancing, and forward step-ups.
- Massage therapy: This involves applying pressure on a body part to release tension or stress in that area and help the patient relax. Some standard massage techniques include hot stone massage, lymphatic drainage massage, and trigger point massage.
- Heat or ice therapy: Heat therapy may increase blood circulation and flow to the affected body part. Increasing temperature also improves flexibility and soothes discomfort. In contrast, cryotherapy or cold therapy reduces blood flow to the affected body part. It helps to decrease swelling and inflammation as well. Ice packs and ice massages to an injured body part also help to relieve pain.
Finding the best physical therapists in Paramus, NJ
Physical therapists are essential in pain management and improving mobility and range of motion in affected areas. They provide holistic treatment for specific conditions and ensure the patient's recovery from an injury or surgery is faster. Therapists can help manage age-related diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis. They will use exercise, stretches, and specific equipment to provide treatment. Therapists can also help children suffering from developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and other conditions.
However, finding a qualified and experienced physical therapist near you can be a hassle. Zocdoc is a platform that helps you by providing access to its open directory of the best medical and healthcare providers for all your needs. With Zocdoc, you can quickly locate your nearest healthcare provider by conducting an area-specific search. Enter the specialty type, such as physical therapy, or any symptoms you may have in the Zocdoc homepage's search bar. Then, choose your preferred location and date.
You can also control expenses by filtering out the in-network doctors in Paramus. Furthermore, if you have a health plan, you can include your insurance carrier's name in the search, and the results will show you all the providers who accept your health plan.
If you need help locating physical therapists who accept your insurance, our online patient support center can assist. Through Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, though you can use only one plan per appointment. You can include secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can conveniently enter your secondary insurance information there.
During the therapies, you must become comfortable with your therapist and form a connection that will help you open up to the specialist more easily. To help you find the right one, Zocdoc has a unique profile for each healthcare provider. You can read about their educational qualification, board certification, clinical interests, expertise, experience, and language. Additionally, booking in-person or online appointments with Zocdoc is simple, secure, and 100% free!
Prevalence of arthritis and osteoporosis in the USA and New Jersey
Age-related issues like arthritis and osteoporosis are widespread in the USA, and millions of people have a disability and restricted movements due to the conditions. According to a 2012 Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation report, approximately 10 million people in America have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. The report also states another 44 million people have low bone density. The report also says that one in two women and one in four men break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis. According to a book of facts and figures for arthritis published by the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis currently affects more than one in four people in the USA.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health reports, almost 1.5 million people in New Jersey either have or are already at a high risk of developing osteoporosis, and approximately 7,500 individuals over 65 have hip fractures annually. The report also states that around 1.4 million adults have arthritis in New Jersey, among which women are 895,000 and men 533,000.
Sources
Medical News Today
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
WebMD
New Jersey Department of Health[1]
New Jersey Department of Health[2]
Arthritis Foundation
Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Cornell Health
Stanford Medicine
Verywell Health[3]
