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What do physical therapists do?

Physical therapists are licensed experts who diagnose and treat injuries, disabilities, and health conditions. They may work in private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings.

A physical therapist usually begins by performing a physical examination to understand your concerns. From there, they devise an individualized treatment plan that may include the following:

• Exercising
• Stretching
• Using different types of equipment
• Using hands-on techniques

Physical therapists work to restore your functionality by improving your movement and range of motion. To accomplish this, a physical therapist would:

• Conduct physical exams to evaluate movement, flexibility, and range of motion.
• Perform physical therapy treatment.
• Use therapeutic aids like electrical stimulation machines or kinesthetic tape.
• Recommend self-management techniques such as exercises.
• Assist you in using supportive devices such as a crutch.

Education and training of a physical therapist

Physical therapists in the United States must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This degree must be from a program validated by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Additionally, physical therapists require a license to practice. A physical therapist can also become board-certified by The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Licensed physical therapists may participate in a clinical residency or a fellowship program to gain more experience. They can specialize in different focus areas, including:

• Orthopedic physical therapy: this treats injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as fractures, sprains, tendinitis, and bursitis. Treatment options include manual therapy, strength training, and mobility training. 
• Geriatric physical therapy: this benefits older adults with arthritis, osteoporosis, balance disorders, and other conditions that affect mobility. The specialty aims to reduce pain and restore mobility. 
• Neurological physical therapy benefits people with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or alzheimer's. A physical therapist would incorporate treatments that increase limb responsiveness and improve movement patterns. 
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation helps people affected by cardiopulmonary conditions and surgical procedures. Treatment aims to increase muscular and cardiovascular endurance. 
• Wound care: uses manual therapies, compression therapy, and wound care to ensure the healing wound receives adequate oxygen and blood. 
• Vestibular therapy helps treat balance problems that inner ear conditions can cause. It involves techniques that help patients regain balance and coordination.
• Decongestive therapy: aims to help with conditions such as lymphedema. 
• Pelvic floor rehabilitation: helps treat conditions like urinary incontinence and pelvic pain resulting from surgery or a particular disease. 

When is it time to see a physical therapist?

Physical therapy can help treat specific injuries, disabilities, and other health conditions. Depending on your reason for treatment, physical therapy can help:

• Manage pain and reduce the need for opioids.
• Avoid surgery
• Improve mobility and movement.
• Improve balance
• Manage age-related medical conditions.
• Help in the recovery from trauma or injury.

Suppose you have an injury or an illness that has affected your movement. Your family physician will refer you to a physical therapist in that case. Other reasons for being referred include:

• Cardiopulmonary conditions such as cystic fibrosis
• Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Musculoskeletal dysfunction, including back pain and rotator cuff tears
• Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis
• Pediatric conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy
• Sports-related injuries like tennis elbow
• Skin conditions or injuries such as burns
• Female health and pelvic floor dysfunction, like urinary incontinence

Apart from physical manipulation, your treatment may include the following:

• Electrical stimulation
• Heat therapy and cold therapy
• Iontophoresis
• Light therapy

Your duration of treatment may depend on your goals. You may also require approval from the physical therapist near you before resuming certain activities. 

How can you make the most out of physical therapy?

Physical therapy is helpful for many acute and chronic conditions. You can get benefits from the treatment by keeping these things in mind:

• Bring along your medical records and notes from other healthcare professionals.
• Come prepared with a list of questions or goals you have for treatment. This includes questions about what to expect from the treatment and how long it would take to recover.
• Do the at-home exercises recommended by the physical therapist. These exercises supplement the work you do during appointments.
• Always let them know if you feel pain or discomfort. This information can help the specialist adjust your routine or treatment plan.
• Choose a specialist that matches your needs. Finding a physical therapist that you find comforting would be ideal.

What are the five advantages of physical therapy?

Physical therapy helps people with medical conditions of all ages that limit their regular ability to move. A physical therapist near you might help you create a customized treatment program to regain movement. Here are some benefits of physical therapy:

• Reduce and eliminate pain: If you experience severe pain in your muscles, joints, or tendons, you must visit a physical therapist near you. Therapeutic exercises and guided relaxation techniques like soft tissue massage, taping, or electric stimulation can help eliminate and relieve pain. It could also prevent pain relapses.
• Faster surgery recovery: Most physical therapists use manual treatments or techniques like ultrasound to reduce pain, eliminating the need for surgery. However, if the pain persists for a prolonged time, your doctor might recommend surgery. In this case, you may benefit from physical therapy — pre or post-surgery — making the recovery process faster and more robust.
• Improve mobility: Your physical therapist might help you with standing, walking, or moving - regardless of age or medical condition. Muscle relaxation techniques like stretching and strengthening exercises can restore your mobility. Doctors can recommend using a cane, crutches, or other assistive devices. They can also examine orthopedic problems.
• Recovery from stroke: A stroke can result in dire symptoms like sudden numbness, weakness in the face and arm, confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty comprehending sentences. Your ability to move quickly may also be adversely affected. Physical therapy can strengthen your muscles and restore the ability to use your body parts to the maximum potential. It can help you become more independent, and regular intervention can help you get back to many life activities you previously enjoyed.
• Recovery from sports injury: Physical therapists also specialize in sports and wellness. They diagnose and treat various conditions that might affect athletes or physically active people. They understand how engaging in sports can increase the risk of injuries in certain body parts. Hence, they may design a prevention plan to ensure an athlete's safety and performance.

Finding a physical therapist in Tempe, Arizona

Visiting a physical therapist near you is essential to maintain good physical health. Physical therapists are trained individuals who help in recovery from an injury and can manage chronic pain while improving your physical function. They work with you to create a personalized treatment plan and guide you through exercises and movements to help you reach your goals. 

However, choosing the right physical therapist for you can be a hassle. Still more difficult is finding one who accepts your insurance plan. This is where Zocdoc comes in. On Zocdoc, you can search for the best physical therapist near you using keywords such as "physical therapist" and your location. If you have medical insurance, Zocdoc can help you find in-network healthcare professionals and minimize out-of-pocket expenses. 

You can filter these results by distance, time, gender, and other factors that may be important to you. Each profile includes the provider's qualifications, certifications, hospital affiliations, experience, and other essential details. These provider profiles come with user ratings and verified reviews, making the decision process easy for you. Once you have found a physical therapist that works for you, you can book an in-person or online appointment at no extra cost.

Booking appointments with a medical practitioner on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free.

Pain-related statistics in Arizona, United States

Pain can be a common symptom of medical conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Here are some numbers for the prevalence of pain-related disorders in the United States: 

• According to the National Institutes of Health, carpal tunnel syndrome is seen in about 1 to 3 persons per 1,000 every year. 
• According to the Parkinson's Foundation, roughly one million people live with Parkinson's disease.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in four adults has been diagnosed with arthritis. This condition is more common in women as compared to men. 

To manage pain symptoms from these conditions, people often resort to using opioids. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, prescription and illicit opioids are addictive and responsible for increasing deaths. The Opioid Overdoses Surveillance Report 2020-2021 showed roughly 65% of non-fatal opioid overdose cases among males. On the other hand, there were about 35% of cases among females. The most common drug reported was fentanyl. Moreover, opioid overdose deaths involving prescription drugs increased between 2017 to 2021. 

To avoid resorting to opioids, you should consult a physical therapist who can safely help you manage pain. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported around 5.9 physical therapists per 10,000 people in Arizona. 

Sources

Arizona Department of Health Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institutes of Health

Parkinson's Foundation

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Houston Methodist

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.