You have probably heard of the profession of physical therapy.
Maybe you have had a conversation with a friend about how physical therapy helped get rid of their back pain, or you might know someone who needed physical therapy after an injury.
Many people are familiar with physical therapists’ work helping patients with orthopedic problems, such as low back pain or knee surgeries, to reduce pain and regain function. Others may be aware of the treatment that physical therapists provide to assist patients recovering from a stroke (e.g., assisting them with regaining the use of their limbs and walking again). You might even have been treated by a physical therapist yourself.
The ability to maintain an upright posture and to move your arms and legs to perform all sorts of tasks and activities is a crucial component of your health. Most of us can learn to live with the various medical conditions that we may develop, but only if we are able to continue at our jobs, take care of our families, and enjoy important occasions with family and friends. All of these activities require the ability to move without difficulty or pain, and physical therapists can help.
Because physical therapists are experts in movement and function, they do not confine their talents to treating people who are ill. A large part of a physical therapist’s program is directed at preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery. Physical therapists work as consultants in industrial settings to improve the design of the workplace and reduce the risk of workers overusing certain muscles or developing low back pain. They also provide services to athletes at all levels to screen for potential problems and institute preventative exercise programs. With the boom in the golf and fitness industries, a number of physical therapists are engaged in consulting with recreational golfers and fitness clubs to develop workouts that are safe and effective, especially for people who already know that they have a problem with their joints or their backs.
The cornerstones of physical therapy treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training. In addition to “hands-on” care, physical therapists also educate patients to take care of themselves and to perform certain exercises on their own. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, physical therapists may also “mobilize” a joint (that is, perform certain types of movements at the end of your range of motion) or massage a muscle to promote proper movement and function. Physical therapists also use methods such as ultrasound (which uses high-frequency waves to produce heat), hot packs, and ice. Although other kinds of practitioners will offer some of these treatments as “physical therapy,” true physical therapy can only be provided by qualified physical therapists or by physical therapist assistants, who must complete a two-year education program and work only under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.
Your insurance likely covers most forms of physical therapy treatment, but the coverage will vary with each plan. California does not legally require patients to see their physicians before seeing a physical therapist, thanks to direct access laws. If you think physical therapy may be right for you, request an appointment.
