Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals with limited functional mobility. They provide hands-on care to help patients improve their quality of life by prescribing different exercises and educating them about their fitness. They provide physical therapy services and help patients recover quickly and safely without prescribing daily medication or pills, decreasing overall medical costs.
They are experts in addressing injuries or illnesses that cause pain, physical impairment, or loss of function. Physical therapists can tend to people of all ages; some may gain additional expertise in treating children, older adults, or athletes with sports injuries. Some issues they can care for may include fractures, spinal cord injuries, strokes, carpal tunnel syndrome, amputations, arthritis, etc.
To become eligible for practice, a physical therapist must possess a master's or clinical doctoral degree from an accredited medical school. Subsequently, they must acquire a state practice license. Their training equips them to help patients move better and independently, using various techniques.
Types of physical therapy specialties
The American Board of Physical Therapist Specialties recognizes about ten specialty areas in physical therapy. The five most common physical therapy specialties are:
- Geriatric physical therapy: This subspecialty caters to issues that concern older adults, such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, joint replacement, incontinence, etc. Geriatric physical therapists focus on reducing pain and increasing patients' fitness. They are often also involved in neurological physical therapy or cardiac rehab.
- Orthopedic physical therapy: This field focuses on treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments) and helps patients recover from orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic physical therapists generally practice in outpatient settings. Their expertise includes the treatment of sports injuries, arthritis, sprains, bursitis, operative joints, amputations, etc. They also offer strength training, hot and cold packs, joint mobilizations, and electrical stimulation to ensure a speedy recovery.
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: The physical therapists specializing in this area attend to cardiopulmonary disorders and those who undergo cardiac or pulmonary procedures. They aim to use therapy to enhance functional independence and patient endurance.
- Neurological physical therapy: Physical therapists in this field care for people with neurological concerns like multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, strokes, Parkinson's disease, etc. Some of the issues their patients face are difficulty walking, vision impairment, reduced balance, paralysis, and an overall loss of independence.
- Pediatric physical therapy: The professionals in this area focus on treating diseases that affect the bones, muscles, or joints in infants, children, and adolescents. They help enhance gross motor skills, balance, endurance, strength, and coordination. Spina bifida, developmental delays, torticollis, and cerebral palsy are some of the concerns their patients generally have.
Other specialties include women's health, wound management, sports, and clinical electrophysiology.
How can physical therapy help with arthritis?
Apart from helping you manage symptoms, physical therapists also teach specific exercises and techniques to increase ease of movement and reduce pain. For patients with arthritis, physical therapy can do all this and much more. Physical therapists devise specialized treatment plans for arthritic patients by combining medications, supplements, and topical treatments. They also assess the posture and observe muscle imbalances and body imbalances. They help patients reduce pain, align their bodies, and prevent injuries through techniques.
Physical therapists also help create an at-home workout routine, help increase overall fitness, alleviate stiffness, reduce fatigue, improve coordination, and promote balance and stability. Depending on your condition and goals, the kind of physical therapy administered can vary. You may also have to visit specialist physical therapists for severe concerns in a particular body part, like the hands or feet.
If you have arthritis, a physical therapist may teach you how to use weights, aerobic exercises, foam rollers, resistance bands, and exercise balls to improve your condition. They may also perform massages, electrotherapy, and joint mobilizations to promote relaxation.
Often, those with arthritis may find physical therapy exercises challenging, especially when starting. Feeling some soreness or muscular discomfort after or during a physical therapy session is usual. However, this should be moderate and not worsen your symptoms or cause pain. If you feel any of the above, it is advisable to consult your therapist. You must also routinely discuss pain tolerance and treatment response with them. If needed, they will modify your treatment plan by reducing frequency and intensity or changing techniques to suit your needs better.
What important questions should you ask your physical therapist?
If you are visiting a physical therapist for the first time, know that they will help you in every possible way to reach the goals you set during your physical therapy rehab. They will gladly address your concerns and queries, so do not hesitate to bring up anything. Here are a few questions you can consider asking them:
- What is the main reason behind my condition?
- How will physiotherapy help my situation?
- Do you have prior experience in treating my particular problem?
- Will you incorporate any other physiotherapy techniques in my treatment plan besides exercise?
- Will I experience any pain or discomfort during the physiotherapy sessions?
- How many physiotherapy sessions will I need?
- How long will each session last?
- When will I achieve positive results?
- Are there any activities I should avoid?
- Do you suggest any lifestyle changes to improve my situation?
- Would you recommend any alternative therapies?
What are the ways to remain physically healthy and prevent future problems?
Your physical therapist will help you recuperate from your current problems and guide you on ways to stop them from recurring. Here are some general tips to stay active to avoid needing physiotherapy again:
- Make time for exercise: 30 minutes, 5-6 days a week, is all it takes to enjoy lifelong good physical and mental health. Your training plan should be a combination of cardiovascular and strengthening exercises. You can choose from various activities, such as walking, running, weightlifting, calisthenics, pilates, yoga, dancing, and more.
- Practice NEAT: Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) refers to all activities you can do throughout the day to burn calories. Some ways include cleaning your house, cycling to the grocery store, taking the stairs, and standing more.
- Maintain a proper posture: It is essential to maintain a good posture when sitting at your desk, standing, walking, and exercising to prevent associated injuries.
- Take frequent breaks: Doctors recommend getting up and moving for 5-10 minutes every hour, especially if you have a sedentary job. You can stretch, walk, refill your water bottle, or do any other task besides sitting during this free time.
Finding a top-rated physical therapist near you in Philadelphia, PA
Are you experiencing severe joint pain? Are you a fitness enthusiast who wants to maximize your body's potential? Or are you an athlete with a tennis elbow that keeps you away from your beloved sport? In any of these cases, you must start seeing a physical therapist. They can help lower your pain and also your dependence on medication. Going to physical therapists can reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs by helping you maintain wellness. Zocdoc's user-friendly features and patient-centered care approach can assist you in finding the best physical therapists in your vicinity.
It is a user-friendly and easy-to-navigate website that acts as a repository of information about healthcare practitioners. You can easily find a physical therapist by adding details of your symptoms or specialty type on the Zocdoc homepage search bar. Enter your location details as city, state, or zip code, and select your preferred appointment date. Once you confirm your choices, Zocdoc provides a list of provider profiles matching your preferences.
These provider profiles are unique to the individual professional. These profiles include information about the provider's licensure, areas of expertise, experience, educational qualifications, languages, insurance plans they accept, whether or not they treat children, etc. You can also choose your insurance plan or enter the carrier plan to filter the in-network physical therapists.
The Zocdoc provider profiles also have verified ratings and reviews left by previous patients. These can help you decide and choose the best practitioner that meets your needs. Once you have found a physical therapist near you, you can book an in-person or virtual appointment via Zocdoc.
All bookings made with Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Physical therapy statistics in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports around 10,700 active physical therapists in Pennsylvania as of May 2021. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metropolitan area had the highest number of practicing physical therapists nationally. Data USA reports that Philadelphia City Southeast and Center City, Pennsylvania, are the top two locations with the country's highest number of physical therapists.
Pennsylvania Department of Health's report on Philadelphia County details that between 2018 and 2020, about 24% of Philadelphians had arthritis. As per America's Health Rankings, 2022 edition, nearly 30% of all residents of Pennsylvania had ever received an arthritis diagnosis, higher than the national rate of around 25%. About 9% of all Pennsylvanians between 18 and 44 had arthritis. Between the ages of 45 to 64 and 65 and above, the rate of arthritis was approximately 34.6% and 55.1%, respectively.
Sources
Verywell health[1]
Verywell health[2]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data USA
Pennsylvania Department of Health
America's Health Rankings
Healthline
American Physical Therapy Association
Miracle Physical Therapy and Massage Center
Tucson Orthopaedic Institute
Elysian Wellness Centre
Morley Physiotherapy
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Medical News Today
No More Pain Ergonomics
