How to be A Impersonator

How can physical therapy

help?
Last updated Wed 8 March 2017
By Lori Smith BSN MSN CRNP
Reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT

1. What to expect

2. Common conditions

3. Types

4. Finding a physical therapist

In physical therapy, trained professionals evaluate and treat abnormal

physical function related to, for example, an injury, disability, disease or
condition.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a physical
therapist is a trained and licensed medical professional with experience in
diagnosing physical abnormalities, restoring physical function and mobility,
maintaining physical function, and promoting physical activity and proper
function.

Licensed physical therapists can be found in a range of healthcare settings

including outpatient offices, private practices, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing
homes, home health, sports and fitness settings, schools, hospices,
occupational settings, government agencies, and research centers.
 What to expect
Physical therapy can help people of all ages with a range of conditions.

A physical therapist helps take care of patients in all phases of healing, from
initial diagnosis through the restorative and preventive stages of recovery.
Physical therapy may be a standalone option, or it may support other
treatments.

Some patients are referred to a physical therapist by their doctor, but other
seek therapy themselves.

Whichever way a patient come to a physical therapist, they can expect to:

 Undergo a physical exam and evaluation, including a health history and

certain testing procedures, including evaluation of posture, movement and
flexibility, and of muscle and joint motion and performance

 Receive a clinical diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care and short and long term
goals

 Receive physical therapy treatment and intervention based on the therapist's

evaluation and diagnosis

 Receive self-management recommendations

Patients often train with a physical therapist in exercises that they can do at
home, to help them function more effectively.

Common conditions
Physical therapists can treat a wide variety of medical conditions, depending
on their specialty.
 Some conditions that can benefit from this type of treatment are:

 Cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

(COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and post-myocardial infarction (MI)

 Hand therapy for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger
finger

 Musculoskeletal dysfunction such as back pain, rotator cuff tears, and

temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)

 Neurological conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's

disease, multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction, and traumatic brain
injuries

 Pediatric conditions such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy,

and muscular dystrophy

 Sports-related injuries, such as concussion and tennis elbow

 Women's health and pelvic floor dysfunction, such as urinary

incontinence and lymphedema
Other cases that may benefit include burns, wound care, and diabetic ulcers.

Benefits of physical therapy

Depending on the reason for treatment, the benefits of physical
therapy include:

 Pain management with reduced need for opioids

 Avoiding surgery

 Improved mobility and movement

 Recovery from injury or trauma

 Recovery from stroke or paralysis

 Fall prevention

 Improved balance

 Management of age-related medical problems

A sports therapist can help an athlete to maximize their performance through
strengthening specific parts of the body and using muscles in new ways.

A healthcare provider or physical therapist can advise individuals about the

benefits specific to their personal medical history and their need for treatment.

Types
Physical therapy can help a patient regain movement or strength after an injury or illness.

As with any medical practice, a variety of therapies can be applied to treat a

range of conditions.

Orthopedic physical therapy treats musculoskeletal injuries, involving the

muscles, bones, ligaments, fascias, and tendons. It is suitable for medical
conditions such as fractures, sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, chronic medical
problems, and rehabilitation or recovery from orthopedic surgery. Patients
may undergo treatment with joint mobilizations, manual therapy, strength
training, mobility training, and other modalities.

Geriatric physical therapy can help older patients who develop conditions
that affect their mobility and physical function,
including arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, hip and joint
replacement, balance disorders, and incontinence. This type of intervention
aims to restore mobility, reduce pain and increase physical fitness levels.
Neurological physical therapy can help people with neurological disorders
and conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy,
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke.
Treatment may aim to increase limb responsiveness, treat paralysis, and
reverse increase muscles strength by reducing muscle atrophy.

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Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation can benefit people affected

by some cardiopulmonary conditions and surgical procedures. Treatment can
increase physical endurance and stamina.

Pediatric physical therapy aims to diagnose, treat, and manage conditions

that affect infants, children, and adolescents, including developmental delays,
cerebral palsy, spina bifida, torticollis and other conditions that impact the
musculoskeletal system.

Wound care therapy can help to ensure that a healing wound is receiving
adequate oxygen and blood by way of improved circulation. Physical therapy
may include the use of manual therapies, electric stimulation, compression
therapy and wound care.

Vestibular therapy aims to treat balance problems that can result from inner
ear conditions. Vestibular physical therapy involves a number of exercises
and manual techniques that can help patients regain their normal balance and
coordination.

Decongestive therapy can help to drain accumulated fluid in patients with

lymphedema and other conditions that involve fluid accumulation.
 Pelvic floor rehabilitation can help treat urinary or fecal incontinence,
urinary urgency and pelvic pain in men and women as a result of injuries or
surgery, or because of certain conditions.

Apart from physical manipulation, physical therapy treatment may involve:

 Ultrasound, to promote blood flow and healing by heating the tendons,

muscles, and tissues

 Phonophoresis, which uses ultrasound to deliver certain medications such

as topical steroids. This can decrease the presence of inflammation

 Electrical stimulation, or E-stim, which uses topical electrodes on the skin to

reduce pain and increase functional capabilities. One type of E-stim is
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). At times, anti-
inflammatory medications are used with certain E-stim modalities and is
referred to as iontophoresis

 Heat, moist heat and cold therapy

 Light therapy, in which special lights and lasers are used to treat certain
medical conditions
The physical therapist will recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Finding a physical therapist

Finding a suitable physical therapist can involve a number of factors, including
insurance acceptance, specialty and reason for treatment, and geographical
location.

Insurance companies often have lists of physical therapy locations who

participate in specific health plans. Other healthcare providers may have a list
of therapists in the area whom they recommend.
 Another way to find a physical therapist is to look online or access the APTA
Find a PT web-based tool.

Training to be a physical therapist

During several years of training, physical therapists study areas such as
biology, anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology,
biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology,
behavioral sciences, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic,
and musculoskeletal studies.

Physical therapists can specialize in fields such as:

 Cardiovascular and pulmonary health

 Clinical electrophysiology

 Health for older people

 Neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports physical therapy, and women's

health.
According to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, this type of
treatment benefits not only the physical body.

It:

"Is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life

and movement potential within the spheres of promotion,
prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and
rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological,
emotional, and social wellbeing."
For more information on the benefits of physical therapy and how it may help,
patients should speak with their healthcare provider or a physical therapist.