Who is a physical therapist?
A physical therapist is a specialist who evaluates and helps manage diseases or injuries related to the bones, muscles, skin, neurological system, and cardiopulmonary system. Physical therapists can also advise people on healthier lifestyles and how to prevent conditions from occurring in the future.
Usually, a primary or family doctor may refer you to a physical therapist. These professionals employ a combination of exercises, stretches, various equipment, and other hands-on treatment methods. They aim to improve the functioning and mobility of a patient's damaged body parts. Physical therapy can also assist in lessening the need for prescription medications and surgery in less severe cases.
What are some common types of physical therapists?
Physical therapy has changed to reflect the new developments in medicine. Since medical technology is becoming increasingly advanced, physicians can now restore capacity and mobility to patients who would never have had that chance. Physical therapists can treat various disorders, and you can consult a specialist depending on your condition. These specializations include:
- Orthopedic physical therapists—specialize in musculoskeletal injuries involving the muscles, bones, ligaments, fascia, and tendons. You can consult them if you have suffered from fractures, sprains, tendinitis, or chronic problems like arthritis or osteoporosis and if you are recovering from orthopedic surgery. The treatment will include joint mobilizations, manual therapies, strength training, and mobility training.
- Geriatric physical therapists—focus solely on older adults who develop age-related conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, balance disorders, etc. These specialists also treat patients who have undergone surgeries like hip joint replacement. A geriatric physical therapist will aim to restore mobility, alleviate pain, and increase physical fitness levels in older patients.
- Neurological physical therapists—specialize in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and cerebral palsy. The treatment will focus on increasing limb responsiveness, improving movement and strength, and promoting balance.
- Wound care therapists—ensure that the healing process of a wound is fast by ensuring that it receives enough oxygen and blood via improved circulation. The treatment plan includes manual therapy, compression therapy, and wound care.
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation therapists—focus on helping people suffering from cardiopulmonary conditions or heart-related diseases. The therapy focuses on increasing muscular and cardiovascular endurance and stamina.
- Vestibular therapists—specialize in treating balance issues that result from inner ear conditions. The therapy will include exercises and manual techniques to help the patient regain coordination and balance.
- Decongestive therapists—focus on draining the accumulated fluid in patients with conditions like lymphedema, which causes fluid accumulation.
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation therapists—specialize in treating conditions affecting pelvic floor muscles, such as urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic pain due to injury or surgery, and other related diseases.
How can a patient benefit from physical therapy?
Physical therapy helps people of all ages when they suffer from illnesses, accidents, or conditions that limit their usual range of motion and functioning. Physical therapists can assist by developing personalized therapy regimens and exercises to treat each patient.
In addition, physical therapy can help physicians control pain with less or no opioid use. Individuals and older adults can also improve their mobility, coordination, and balance.
Other than that, for severe cases like an injury, stroke, or paralysis, physical therapy can help in faster mobility recovery. By consulting a physical therapist, older adults can manage symptoms and outcomes of age-related medical problems like arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, etc.
Sportspersons or athletes are more susceptible to injuries, usually curable using physical therapy. Hence, one can consult a therapist to learn more about muscle movements to prevent injuries. By adding physical therapy to their regime, athletes can reach their maximum potential by strengthening specific vulnerable body parts and using muscle strength to their advantage.
What can you expect during your first visit with a physical therapist near you?
During your first session, the physical therapist will get to know you, diagnose your condition, and prepare a treatment plan. It usually lasts around 45 minutes to an hour.
Come prepared with your medical records, details of your condition, and any queries you want to address. It is advisable to bring a relative or close friend to jot down notes and provide emotional support during your evaluation. Here is what you can expect:
Medical records review: Your physical therapist will begin by examining your past and latest medical documents, such as your medical history, diagnostic test results, surgical reports, medication lists, and previous physical therapy records, if any.
Crucial questions about your condition: You can expect your physical therapist to ask various questions to know more about your situation. Some of these questions include:
- What are your symptoms?
- When did they start?
- How often do they recur?
- What triggers your symptoms or makes them worse?
- What have you done to manage them?
- What, according to you, may have caused your condition?
- Did you recently have an accident, fall, or injury?
- How has your situation affected your life?
- What are your goals from physical therapy?
Physical examination: They will ask you to do some movements, stretches, and exercises to assess your mobility, range of motion, strength, and flexibility. It will further help them diagnose your condition and its severity.
Treatment plan: The last step is devising a treatment plan considering your unique situation and physiotherapy goals. The rehab program can last from a few weeks to years. Besides the mandatory exercise and stretches, your physical therapist may include other modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, joint mobilization, heat and cold therapy, and kinesiology taping.
Top 4 frequently asked questions about physical therapy
If you have never been to a physical therapist, you may have some valid queries about how everything works. The following answers to FAQs may give you valuable insights into physical therapy. If you still have doubts, feel free to call the physical therapist's office or address them during your visit with the specialist.
- How should you dress for the physical therapy appointments?
The basic dressing rule for physical therapy appointments is to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that help you move quickly and allow easy access to the affected areas. It is best to wear gym wear like a T-shirt, sports bra, shorts or track pants, socks, and athletic shoes. Avoid tight, long-sleeved T-shirts, leggings, flip-flops, heels, and accessories like watches, belts, or jewelry.
- Is physical therapy painful?
While physical therapy is not supposed to be painful, you can expect discomfort and soreness during and after the sessions. That being said, if you feel unbearable pain during any part of the treatment process, communicate it with your physical therapist immediately.
- How long do physical therapy sessions last?
The duration of your physical therapy sessions will vary according to your ailment, severity, and treatment plan.
- When will I see positive results with physical therapy?
Physical therapy will not show results overnight. Based on your unique situation, it can take a few days, weeks, or years to achieve the desired results. You have to be patient, trust the process, do the homework given by your physical therapist, and follow their advice diligently. If you do that, you can achieve what you want: pain relief, improved flexibility, or the ability to perform daily activities independently.
Understanding pediatric physical therapy
Pediatric physical therapy offers a specialized approach to help children overcome movement challenges. Children under 18, from newborns to teenagers, receive personalized support from trained pediatric physical therapists who provide tailored assistance to enhance their physical abilities.
Pediatric physical therapists enhance children's physical capabilities by addressing issues related to bones, muscles, sports injuries, or conditions involving the brain, spine, nerves, or genetic factors.
Through focused sessions, pediatric physical therapists improve children's range of motion, strength, flexibility, and movement patterns. Their ultimate goal is to enable children to move as freely as possible, allowing them to engage in daily activities easily and confidently.
Pediatric physical therapists support children with a broad range of needs, including:
- Recovering from sports and non-sports-related injuries
- Addressing developmental delays, like delayed walking
- Achieving developmental milestones
- Managing genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome
- Correcting muscle weakness or imbalances
- Improving coordination and motor planning skills, which involve performing actions like writing with a pencil
- Coping with nerve or muscle disorders, including cerebral palsy
Pediatric physical therapy sessions often feel like play, engaging children in enjoyable, age-appropriate games and activities. Physical therapists keep children motivated and happy, balancing fun with the hard work of therapy. While the sessions may look playful, they are structured to target and develop critical gross motor skills—those involving large muscle groups, like walking, running, or throwing.
During a session, physical therapists might guide children through activities such as:
- Playing on large exercise balls to enhance strength
- Running or hopping to boost coordination
- Balancing on a beam to improve stability
- Practicing one-foot stands to build balance
In addition to these activities, physical therapists can recommend exercises for parents to do with their child at home to reinforce the skills learned in therapy.
At the initial appointment, a pediatric physical therapist evaluates the child's strength, development, and ability to perform age-appropriate tasks, such as standing, walking, and other physical activities. They assess whether there is a delay and, if so, determine its extent and potential causes. Based on this evaluation, the therapist collaborates with the child and their family to design an individualized treatment plan.
Find the best physical therapist near you in Rockville Center, New York
Physical therapists are trained professionals who can improve an individual's functionality and mobility while managing the pain and symptoms that arise from injuries, disabilities, and certain health conditions. These specialists treat the patient using exercise, stretching, and manual techniques.
However, finding an experienced physical therapist can be tricky. Furthermore, booking appointments with them is not only challenging but can also be expensive. Coming to your rescue, Zocdoc is a platform that can help you find the best physical therapist near you and book appointments with them without any hassle. Using Zocdoc, you can locate your nearest healthcare provider by conducting an area-specific search.
In addition, you can also use complementary filters like symptoms, specialty, and insurance plan to get a curated list of the best in-network specialists who treat your condition. If you cannot find your insurance plan in the drop-down list, upload an image of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can contact the Zocdoc service team if you need help uploading a photo of your card. You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance. Each healthcare provider on Zocdoc has a doctor profile where you can read about their educational background, certifications, expertise, experience, language proficiency, etc. You can also read the verified user ratings and reviews before deciding.
Once you have found the best physical therapist near you, you can book an in-person or virtual consultation based on availability. Booking appointments with Zocdoc is simple, secure, and 100% free!
Prevalence of orthopedic conditions in New York
Orthopedic conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis are widespread in the US. They have greatly affected people over 50 and 18, respectively, in terms of mobility and quality of life. According to a report released by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control for 2017-18, approximately 4.2% of the total population of men and around 18.8% of women over 50 years had suffered femur neck and lumbar spine osteoporosis (low bone density).
According to the New York State Department of Health Report 2016, both these conditions are equally common in New York. It stated that about 14.8% of the adult population suffered from arthritis. According to another 2020 New York State Department of Health statistic, over 3 million people in New York have arthritis. Additionally, it says that almost 60% of arthritis cases were in women and that nearly 50% or more of elderly persons either had arthritis or were at risk of getting it.
Sources
WebMD
MedicalNewsToday
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York State Department of Health[1]
New York State Department of Health[2]
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
Verywell Health[3]
Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
In Motion OC.
SOHMA Integrative Medicine
Pathways.org
