Physical therapy is a health care specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and treating disorders and injuries of musculoskeletal system. The purpose of physical therapy is to help each patient restore their maximal level of independence. Physical therapy helps you move better, relieves pain, and speeds your recovery after surgeries. Physical therapy comprises of various treatment options such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and hands-on techniques such as manipulation, massage, and exercise programs. Interventions in physical therapy may include therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy techniques, assistive and adaptive devices, equipment, physical agents, and electrotherapeutic modalities.
Your Physical therapist will examine you and develop a treatment plan. The physical therapist first will manage the pain and swelling. Then, the therapist will work with you to increase your flexibility, strength, coordination, endurance and/or balance.
Physical therapy may be recommended for patients suffering from the following conditions:
- Back and neck pain
- Spine and joint conditions
- Sports related injuries
- Neurological conditions
Physical therapists treat patients with devastating conditions as well, and recommend effective strategies for managing even the most complex physical complications.
