Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists are medical professionals who treat mobility or pain issues in people of all ages, from infants to seniors. For example, you may have difficulty moving your arms or legs or have back pain due to a medical condition, injury, or surgery. A physical therapist would then recommend specific exercises, activities, or massages to eliminate or reduce these problems. Their efforts often help patients avoid surgery or medication and even prevent disabilities.
Physical therapists also help in preventive care, advising you on how to do physical activities such as work or sports without injuring yourself. They are often involved in rehabilitation and can help with problems caused by chronic conditions such as diabetes, cerebral palsy, obesity, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
They may work in nursing homes, hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, colleges, rehabilitation centers, corporate offices, patients' homes, or sports and fitness facilities. They also work closely with athletes on the field or provide individual attention in private clinics.
Education and training of physical therapists
Aspiring physical therapists must graduate with a degree in science, recreation, fitness, or healthcare-related fields. After this, they must get a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a three-year program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). They study pharmacology, kinesiology, pathology, behavioral sciences, neuroscience, and biomechanics during this program and attain supervised clinical experience.
About 20% of their curriculum involves clinical education, while 80% is classroom and lab study. Once they acquire the degree, physical therapists must apply for a state license to begin practice.
If they wish to specialize in a particular area, they can apply for a residency of about one year, where they receive in-depth training and delve deeper into the subject. Physical therapists who wish to specialize can also pursue a fellowship with the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education. They can also become board-certified by clearing a stringent examination conducted by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and completing several clinical work hours. To maintain their certification and license, physical therapists must keep themselves updated on the latest developments in the field throughout their careers.
What are the different physical therapy specialties?
The different specialties 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 focuses on musculoskeletal injuries involving the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Treatments include manual therapy, mobility training, strength training, and joint mobilization.
- Vestibular therapy: This specialty treats balance issues arising from inner ear conditions. It involves various manual techniques and exercises that help the patient regain coordination and balance.
- Geriatric physical therapy is a specialty that treats ailments or conditions affecting older adults' bodily functions and mobility. These conditions 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: The specialty focuses on draining accumulated fluids from the body. It relieves patients suffering from lymphedema and other disorders involving fluid accumulation.
What to expect at your appointment with a physical therapist near you?
A primary care physician, surgeon, or healthcare worker may refer you to a physical therapist if needed. The physical therapist will review the referring physician's notes and talk to you to understand the problem. They may conduct a physical evaluation and ask you to stand, walk around, or perform an activity to check the range of movement. If there is pain, they will ask you to describe whether it is sharp, dull, or excruciating and study any available reports.
Once they diagnose the issue, the physical therapist will advise specific exercises or hands-on therapy to ease movement and pain. They may prescribe using wheelchairs, canes, walkers, or crutches to aid movement. You may have to revisit the physical therapist to monitor the progress and change the recommended exercises or therapy if needed.
Who is a pediatric physical therapist?
Pediatric physical therapy is a specialization in rehabilitation that primarily focuses on improving mobility and functionality in babies and young children.
Pediatric physical therapists have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of early developmental milestones in children, such as sitting, crawling, and playing with toys. In some instances, injuries or medical issues can affect the child's ability to reach these milestones at the same time as others.
There are an array of reasons why a child may require physical therapy services. Some may be orthopedic, involving tight tendons or weak muscles, whereas some may be developmental or neurological. Common ailments requiring pediatric physical therapy include - autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, down syndrome, and muscular dystrophy. Any condition that affects your child's ability to move or develop may benefit from a pediatric physical therapist.
Occupational therapy vs. physical therapy
Physical and occupational therapy share many similarities but have distinct differences in their approach to a patient's rehabilitative care. One fundamental difference is that physical therapy improves patients' ability to move their bodies. In contrast, occupational therapy focuses on enhancing the patient's ability to perform activities in their day-to-day life. Besides, physical therapy's foundation is bodily rehabilitation, whereas occupational therapy is in mental healthcare and physical rehabilitation.
Occupational therapy heavily focuses on adapting, modifying, or changing the daily activities an individual is required to or wants to do. They might alter the activity, environment, or person's skills. At the person's skill level, an occupational therapist might help an individual improve their fine motor skills (small movements made with their upper body). These movements are necessary for daily activities such as picking up a toothbrush, brushing their teeth, using a phone, or driving.
For individuals with mental health-related issues, an occupational therapist might help by developing positive coping strategies that allow them to function better in their day-to-day lives.
What should you wear for your physical therapy sessions with a physical therapist?
Physical therapy sessions mainly involve 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. Carry 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 examine the shoulder joint and its movements better.
- Wear a good sports bra and elastic-waisted shorts if these areas need to be examined.
- If you experience hip discomfort, your therapist will move and evaluate your hips and provide treatment for your lower body (legs and knees). Shorts will be your best bet, and you must wear a pair with an elastic waistband. 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 good physical therapists near you in Portland, OR?
Finding a skilled and reliable physical therapist in your neighborhood can be challenging. However, Zocdoc gives you a simple way to find the best physical therapists in Portland, Oregon, from your home, avoiding the inconveniences of traveling to a hospital or other healthcare facility.
Visit the Zocdoc website and enter your symptoms, preferred appointment date, and location to start a search. You will see a list of physical therapists sorted by gender, location, hospital affiliation, available time slots, and whether or not they treat children. Each specialist's unique profile details their educational background, medical training, certifications, awards, licensures, and accreditations. Additionally, to help you make an informed choice, you can access honest and verified patient reviews.
If you want to find a provider who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your insurance provider and plan) on the Zocdoc search. It will help you see providers who accept your plan. When searching for providers on the Zocdoc app, upload a photo of your insurance card (this option is unavailable for vision and dental plans), and we will scan and display your insurance plan. It will help you find accurate results of in-network physical therapists near you. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
Once you have picked the physical therapist best suited to your needs, Zocdoc will help you instantly book an in-person or virtual appointment based on the provider's availability.
All appointments on Zocdoc are easy, free, and secure.
Statistics on various diseases in Oregon
Physical therapists can help one rectify mobility or pain issues due to various conditions. In Oregon, 28.2% of the adult population was diagnosed with arthritis in 2022, per America's Health Rankings. Arthritis can be a severe illness; a physical therapist can help ease the pain. Arthritis increased with age in Oregon, with 55.4% of those aged 65 and above diagnosed with the condition. The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (34.5%) and 18 to 44 (9.2%). Additionally, women (32.4%) were more prone to arthritis than men (24.0%).
Further, according to America's Health Rankings, about 10.3% of adults in Oregon were diagnosed with diabetes (excluding prediabetes and gestational diabetes) in 2022. Men (10.7%) were slightly more susceptible to the condition than women (10.0%). However, the incidence increased with age, with 18.7% of those above 65 diagnosed with diabetes. The incidence was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (14.8%) and 18 to 44 (2.7%).
Another report published by the same organization showed that about 9.7% of Oregon adults had cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 2022, which included strokes, heart attacks, angina, myocardial infarction, and coronary heart disease. Men (12.5%) were more prone to CVD than women (7.0%) in the state.
Where obesity is concerned, America's Health Rankings report stated that in 2022, 30.9% of adults in Oregon were obese with a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher. Those aged 45 to 64 (37.7%) were more likely to be obese than those 65 and above (25.9%) and 18 to 44 (29.0%). Women (31.4%) had a higher incidence rate than men (30.5%).
Sources
Verywell Health[1]
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[3]
American Physical Therapy Association
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
WebMD
United Health Foundation[1]
United Health Foundation[2]
United Health Foundation[3]
United Health Foundation[4]
VerywellHealth[2]
Medical News Today
