What is physical therapy and what do physical therapists do?
Physical Therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain, improve or restore mobility- all in an effort to improve function. Physical therapists can teach patients how to prevent or manage conditions so that they will achieve long-term benefits. Every patient is examined by a PT, and then a plan of care is developed with that individual in mind. PT is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical and scientific base and widespread clinical applications in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal physical function. PTs use a variety of proven methods to accomplish the goals of both the therapist as well as the patient, including: therapeutic exercises, hands-on or manual techniques including joint manipulation and soft tissue mobilization, taping/bracing methods, custom foot orthotics, balance training, modalities such as heat/cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, iontophoresis, and other unique treatments. Our therapists also perform sport-specific rehabilitation, in addition to design of performance enhancement and injury prevention programs for athletes of all levels.
What injuries do you see?
We see people with quite a variety of orthopaedic, sports, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and spine conditions- sprains, strains, disc problems, arthritis issues, pain for no apparent reason, headaches, people recovering after surgeries, balance issues, biomechanical related symptoms, endurance, conditioning, agility/speed/power programs…. we see patients of all ages and athletes from amateur to professional.