Who is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who help us improve mobility and relieve pain in any part of our bodies. For example, when you've broken a bone or injured yourself, you find performing routine functions such as standing, walking, or throwing a baseball difficult. The problem could also be because of an illness or a medical condition.
Physical therapists generally diagnose and treat the patient by preparing a recovery plan with an exercise routine. The routine helps loosen the body parts that hinder us from performing normal functions, which an injury or other medical or health-related condition may cause.
Physical therapists near you can be found working in various settings, like private practices, clinics, nursing homes, sports facilities, offices, home health agencies, schools, colleges, and hospitals. They play a significant role in health maintenance, disease prevention, rehabilitation, and health care policies.
Education and training of a physical therapist
Aspiring physical therapists must complete their graduation before enrolling in a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited institute. Another option is to do a three-year undergraduate course focused on physical therapy and then take up the degree program. Some programs even recruit directly from high school. However, students must complete specific undergraduate courses and earn the required grade points.
The aspirants study clinical reasoning, cellular histology, biomechanics, behavioral sciences, biology/anatomy, communication, and endocrine and metabolic systems. They must also do lab studies and gain clinical experience before taking a state licensure exam. They can only begin practice after clearing this exam.
Some physical therapists choose to study further and join a fellowship program where they further deepen their knowledge and skills in clinical practice. They can also get board-certified by clearing the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties exam.
Are physical therapists doctors?
If you have been planning to visit a physical therapist, you may wonder whether physical therapists are doctors. While physical therapists earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, they are not medical doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathy (DO). They cannot diagnose medical conditions, prescribe drugs, or perform surgical procedures. When another healthcare physician diagnoses you, a physical therapist works with you to enhance your body movement.
When should you visit a physical therapist?
Physical therapists address a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain and physical dysfunction. If you experience mobility issues or pain related to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke, cerebral palsy, brain injury, or arthritis, physical therapy can be beneficial. Physical therapists near you are also skilled in managing issues stemming from cancer complications, diabetes, fibromyalgia, muscle strains, multiple sclerosis, obesity, and back and neck pain.
Additionally, physical therapies can be beneficial in the treatment of conditions like cystic fibrosis, fractures, multiple trauma, lymphedema, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, pelvic pain, and sports injuries. They assist with post-operative rehabilitation, plantar fasciitis, incontinence, and rotator cuff injuries as well.
Types of physical therapy treatments
As you recover from a musculoskeletal injury or movement dysfunction, physical therapists can use various techniques or therapy methods to help ease pain and inflammation while also improving your endurance, strength, and range of motion. While physical therapists employ certain types only during a treatment session, you can perform others at home if recommended by your healthcare provider. The following are some types of physical therapy treatments:
- Active or passive exercise
- Ultrasound
- Electrical stimulation
- Traction
- Joint mobilization
- Massage
- Heat
- Ice
- Laser or light therapy
- Kinesiology taping
What should you expect on the first visit to a physical therapist?
A physical therapist will first look at your medical history and ask you about the symptoms you are facing. They will look at the list of medications you are taking and any recent reports or test results. If the patient has been recommended or referred by another specialist, they will look at any notes they have made explaining the problem.
After this, the physical therapist will do a physical examination to check what is hampering the body's movement. They will try to find out the issue and understand if physical therapy can rectify it. Depending on your case, they may ask you to stand, walk, or perform various activities such as moving your arm or leg or bending. The therapist will ask about any pain you may have or if there's a movement obstruction during the test.
Once they diagnose the issue, the physical therapist will prepare an individualized treatment plan that consists of exercise techniques to improve mobility and reduce pain. These techniques could be simple exercises you can perform on your own or assisted activities using hands-on therapy. It could also involve using exercise equipment for adults or even toys in the case of children. You might have to visit the physical therapist a few times for them to monitor your progress over some time and suggest any changes in the treatment, if necessary.
Is physical therapy different from occupational therapy?
While physical and occupational therapy helps individuals move their bodies more effectively and safely, their goals are different. Physical therapy is typically used to address the pain or injury in a specific body part. It helps reduce the pain and stiffness you may experience due to a health condition or while you recover from an injury or surgery.
Occupational therapy usually assists people in improving their capacity to perform ordinary daily chores and live as independently as possible. The term "occupation" in occupational therapy does not necessarily imply that you have lost your capacity to do your job or cannot return to work after an injury. Occupation is a generic phrase healthcare providers use to refer to any of the daily jobs they perform. Occupational therapists may help you improve your ability to use a computer, shop for groceries, or get dressed.
Chiropractors vs. physical therapists: What is the difference?
If you sustain an injury, have a medical condition, or have just had surgery, your PCP or specialist may refer you to a physical therapist or chiropractor. Both physical therapists and chiropractors are qualified to manage pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions by using nonsurgical and nondrug methods.
Physical therapy and chiropractic care also include preventive care, which involves educating patients on preventing further injury or worsening of their condition. Most therapeutic modalities offered by both professionals overlap. Chiropractors and physical therapists conduct tests, order imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans, perform physical examinations, assess a patient's posture and balance, and offer heat and cold therapy.
While there are many similarities between chiropractors and physical therapists, their approaches to treating patients may differ. Learning the difference between the two can help you determine which provider you should see for your particular pain, injury, or illness.
Chiropractic care:
- Chiropractic care is centered around the alignment of the bones and joints.
- Chiropractors perform chiropractic adjustments, which involve using their hands or a small instrument to perform certain manipulations or realign specific body parts that may have restricted motion due to injury or a degenerative disorder.
- While chiropractors can treat many musculoskeletal conditions, they primarily treat conditions affecting the spine, lower back, and neck. Common treatments include adjustments for lower back pain, headaches, and neck pain.
- Chiropractors may need specialized spaces and equipment to perform adjustments and manipulations.
Physical therapy:
- Physical therapy is typically recommended after surgery for faster recovery of that body part.
- Physical therapists are movement specialists who typically focus on improving the entire body's mobility by recommending rehabilitative exercises.
- Physical therapists may assist patients in walking or climbing up the stairs post-operation. You may benefit from seeking physical therapy if you feel pain limiting your ability to walk, sit, work, or engage in recreational activities.
- Physical therapists can also perform some adjustments and treat the spine in addition to recommending specific exercises such as stretches to increase flexibility, strength, and range of motion.
If you are still unsure about which provider to choose, you could first consult your PCP, who could refer you to either a physical therapist or chiropractor, depending on your particular condition and its symptoms.
Find the best physical therapist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
One shouldn't only consult a physical therapist when a problem arises. You can also consult them to help you improve your overall physical health. Primary care practitioners and specialists often refer patients to physical therapists when needed. The therapists can treat people of all age groups and may help the patient avoid surgery or medication, restore function, or prevent disability.
Locating a skilled physical therapist in your area can take some time. However, Zocdoc offers a simple and secure way to find physical therapists from the comfort of your home. Go to the Zocdoc website and enter your symptoms or type of specialty you seek, your location, and your insurance plan. You will receive the profiles of the best physical therapists based on the search criteria.
Zocdoc displays each healthcare provider's educational history, including their clinical experience, certifications, medical specialties, licensures, and accreditations, to assist you in finding the best care for yourself. The individual profile also includes information such as the practitioner’s gender, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, and whether or not they treat children. You can also check if they provide virtual consultations.
Additionally, our verified patient reviews and ratings might assist you in making an informed selection when choosing a physical therapist near you in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On Zocdoc, all appointment bookings are simple, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics on arthritis, diabetes, and obesity in Pennsylvania
Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and obesity can cause problems with bodily function or pain in certain parts of the body. These conditions have side effects on the bones and muscles and further hamper basic movements like walking. A physical therapist can help with all these problems.
According to an annual health report by America’s Health Rankings, in 2020, about 11.4% of the adults in Pennsylvania had diabetes, compared to about 10.6% nationwide. Men (≈12.4%) had a higher incidence of diabetes than women (≈10.5%), which worsened with age. For instance, nearly 22.7% of people 65 years and older had diabetes. The incidence was lower for people aged 45 to 64 years, at ≈13.4%, and for people aged 18 to 44 years, at ≈3.4%.
In 2020, approximately 31.5% of individuals in Pennsylvania were obese, defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Of these, almost 32% were female, and nearly 30.9% were male. Additionally, the age group of 45 to 64 had the highest prevalence of obesity (≈37.1%). It was lower for those aged 65 and over (≈29.4%) and 18 to 44 (≈28.4%).
Compared to the US average of 20%, approximately 21.1% of the state's adult population was diagnosed with arthritis in 2020. Furthermore, women had a higher risk (≈34%) than men (≈22.8%) of receiving this diagnosis. The prevalence of arthritis increased with age, affecting nearly 56.7% of people 65 years and older. In the age group of 45 to 64 years, the percentage was approximately 33.9%, and for those aged 18 to 44 years, it stood at about 8.5%.
Sources
Explore Health Careers
American Physical Therapy Association
KidsHealth
America's Health Rankings [1]
America's Health Rankings [2]
America's Health Rankings [3]
Verywell Health[1]
Cleveland Clinic
Verywell Health[2]
Mayo Clinic
Healthline
Reid Health
Grand Canyon University
