Who is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who can improve your range of motion by prescribing exercise, educating the patients, and providing hands-on care. They treat people of all ages, from infants to older adults. PTs treat people who suffer from restricted movements due to disabilities, injuries, surgery, or other health conditions. They can also help people become healthier and prevent future problems.
PTs help reduce pain and improve people's lives by assisting them to achieve fitness goals, thus leading active lives. They work in settings such as people's homes, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, hospitals, sports and fitness facilities, schools, and workplaces.
What kind of education and training do PTs receive?
Aspiring PTs must first graduate with biology, chemistry, and mathematics subjects. They must then enroll in a physical therapy program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
About 80% of the coursework in these programs is theoretical, with students learning in classrooms and laboratories. The remaining 20% involves practical education, where students gain about 27 weeks of clinical experience. During the program, they gain knowledge and understanding about areas such as:
- Anatomy
- Biology
- Biomechanics
- Behavioral sciences
- Cellular histology
- Communication
- Clinical reasoning
- Ethics/values
- Evidence-based practice
- Endocrine and metabolic functions
- Exercise physiology
- Finance
- Kinesiology
- Management sciences
- Musculoskeletal systems
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Sociology
After completing this program, students earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Some DPT programs offer a 3+3 format where students spend three years focusing on undergraduate physical therapy courses. They then advance to a three-year professional DPT program.
Some DPT programs also allow direct entry to guaranteed admissions programs for high school graduates. Students must, however, fulfill specific undergraduate requirements for such admission.
Physical therapists must clear rigorous state-level licensure examinations before they can begin practicing. PTs can get board-certified by applying to the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
What are the areas of specialization for physical therapists?
After gaining their license, some PTs prefer to study and train further in a specific area of physical therapy. They must enroll in a clinical residency or clinical fellowship program. During a residency, PTs gain experience in particular practice areas. Those who have gained clinical expertise in focused practice areas can complete a clinical fellowship, a structured program for PTs.
Areas of specialization for PTs include:
- Pediatrics (focus on children's health)
- Sports
- Geriatrics (focus on elderly health)
- Neurology (brain health)
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary
- Clinical electrophysiology
- Oncology (cancer)
- Orthopedics (focus on bone, spinal, and joint problems)
What is pediatric physical therapy?
Pediatric physical therapy focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders affecting newborns, children, and adolescents. These conditions can include the following:
- developmental delays
- cerebral palsy
- spina bifida
- torticollis and other musculoskeletal problems
Pediatric physical therapists aim to increase mobility, develop or restore function, relieve pain, and prevent or reduce lifelong physical disability. They work closely with children, their families, and caregivers to help children function independently and effectively at home and school.
What are the benefits of physical therapy?
Physical therapy allows you to avoid medication and even surgery in some cases. PTs are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication. Further, they treat patients by developing individualized treatment plans that address their issues and symptoms. They can treat problems with the integumentary, nervous, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary systems.
PTs recommend stretching, exercises, strength training, hydrotherapy, and massage therapy. All this can help strengthen various body parts, including the lungs, heart, bones, muscles, and brain. They may also recommend transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
What kind of conditions do PTs treat?
PTs can help people with lymphedema, back pain, trigger finger or thumb, carpal tunnel syndrome, or urinary incontinence. They can treat people who have experienced trauma or injury, for example, spinal cord injury, concussions, temporomandibular joint disorders, and rotator cuff tears.
PTs can also address long-term or chronic conditions that restrict movements. For example, they can help those with cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Parkinson's disease. They can also treat people with multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
PTs can help you recover from surgery or conditions such as sports injuries, herniated discs, orthopedic issues, and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
What should one expect during the first visit to a PT?
During the first visit to a PT, they will look at any notes from a referring physician. They will see the list of your medications and any reports or imaging tests relevant to your condition. They will ask you about your symptoms and if you are feeling any pain. The PT will ask you to describe the pain, whether it is sharp, dull, or recurring.
The PT will then conduct a physical examination. They will ask you to stand, walk, and perform specific tasks to check your range of motion. Once they diagnose the problem, the PT will prepare a treatment plan and explain it to you.
If you have any doubts, clarify them with the PT. If you feel any pain during the recommended exercises, inform the PT so that they can modify or change the exercise. Not telling them about the pain may worsen the problem.
The treatment may take time to show results, so you must be patient. You may have to revisit the PT so that they can monitor your progress or change the treatment if required.
Tips to remember when visiting a physical therapist
If you have a condition or injury that causes pain or stops you from moving normally, see your doctor and get a referral to a physical therapist near you. Here are some tips for your appointment:
- Arrive early to complete any necessary documentation.
Your physical therapist will most likely have a different set of paperwork that you must fill out. If your physical therapy is tied to a workplace injury or an automobile accident, bring contact information for any relevant insurance adjusters or supervisors and claim numbers.
- Wear something comfortable.
For your first appointment, you may have to move or walk around a lot. Therefore, wearing something that allows you to move freely is best. Wear a shirt that enables easy access to your shoulder, arm, or back if you have pain in your upper body and shorts if you have hip, knee, or ankle pain.
Your PT will go through your medical history and ask about your symptoms, pain, physical function, daily problems, goals, and treatment during your initial session. They will conduct an evaluation that focuses on measuring abnormalities that may be the cause of your condition or impacted by your injury.
Typical physical therapy examination measurements include:
- Palpation
- Range of motion (ROM) measurement
- Strength test
- Mobility in terms of function
- Balance
- Neurological screening examinations
Your physical therapist will instruct you on what to expect and what to do throughout the assessment.
It is normal for your physical therapist to give you homework to keep up with the progress made during your office sessions. After the assessment, you can begin your physical therapy treatment plan.
How can one find a physical therapist near me in Somerville, Massachusetts?
We can experience pain at any time, and in such cases, we require immediate care. Unfortunately, finding a skilled PT can be difficult. Thankfully, Zocdoc can be of assistance to you.
With Zocdoc, finding a PT in your area is simple. Select "physical therapist" or your symptoms on the homepage and press the search icon. Add your address, the appointment time, and your insurance information. Zocdoc will provide you with a list of highly qualified physical therapists near you within minutes. Use the filters to streamline your search. Their profiles include the PT's gender, appointment times, languages spoken, and whether they treat children.
Viewing each profile, you can read about the PT's training and certifications, hospital affiliations, specialization, accolades, accreditations, and licensure. The provider profiles are quite extensive, which aids in your decision-making. You can also read the verified reviews and ratings by past patients to guide your decision.
Both in-person and online appointments are possible. Just look for a purple button on the profile of PTs who allow video consultations. In addition, you can schedule a visit during business hours, before 10 am, after 5 pm, or on the weekends and holidays, depending on the PT's availability.
Booking appointments on Zocdoc is simple, safe, and free.
Physical therapy-related statistics in Massachusetts
A report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there were 7,420 physical therapists in Massachusetts in May 2021. The demand for PTs in the United States could grow by 17% from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. PTs can help people with limited range of motion due to chronic conditions such as arthritis.
According to America's Health Rankings, about 24.7% of Massachusetts adults had arthritis in 2021. Women (29%) were more likely to have arthritis than men (20.1%). The condition's incidence increases with age; 51.3% of those 65 and above had arthritis. The percentage was lower in those aged 18 to 44 (8.3%) and those aged 45 to 64 (28.9%).
Sources
American Physical Therapy Association
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
Nemours TeensHealth
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
America's Health Rankings
MedicalNewsToday
Verywell Health
