Physical Therapy?

You may be wondering what exactly is physical therapy? You have heard the phrase, and most likely you know someone who has received physical therapy. However, you may not know exactly what it is unless you have had a prescription from a doctor following persistent pain, an extensive surgery, hospitalization, or debilitating event in your life. There are many reasons why one may benefit from physical therapy (stay tuned in future posts). This post gives you some basic layout of the profession, how it got started, and how it is growing.

You can find physical therapy in hospitals, local outpatient clinics, schools, professional sports, nursing homes, and even at patients’ homes. They work with all age groups, ranges of activity levels, and multiple medical diagnoses. This may be why it is difficult to pinpoint what physical therapy is. The profession is very versatile in getting people to move better and return to what they enjoy.

Physical Therapist fit into the healthcare system as movement specialists with a focus on treating muscles and joints. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has separate sections for each specialty of the profession including acute care (hospital settings), aquatics (pool therapy), cardiovascular, geriatrics, home health, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, pelvic health, and sports.

Physical therapy treatments can consist of hands-on techniques (manual therapy) for getting muscles and joints to move better, movement patterns that promote proper muscle firing (neuromuscular re-education), exercises prescribed for strengthening and range of motion (therapeutic exercise), and education for patients to make long lasting effects and avoid the same symptoms in the future.

The theory of treating people and how they move has been around for a long time. Forms of manual therapy were recorded in history by Hippocrates who performed various kinds of joint manipulations. There are illustrations of his traction (decompression) treatments. Furthermore, many physicians still recognize Hippocrates through his do no harm oath for patient care known as the Hippocratic Oath.

Today’s physical therapy gained recognition in the United States with the poliomyelitis (polio) epidemic and during WWI. Rehabilitation was needed for children learning to walk again and soldiers returning to society after battle wounds. The practice of physical therapy and it's association has grown greatly and continues to grow with continued research. Click here if you are interested in more APTA history. The profession is filled with lifelong learners who are passionate about helping others.

Patients now have direct access to physical therapist. Each state has varying limitations but mostly, an evaluation can be performed without a prescription from a physician. Physical therapy services benefit many with persistent aches and pains, limited mobility, fatigue and weakness, and many other ailments associated with different medical diagnoses.

Find a physical therapist to join your healthcare team for better movement through life's challenges.

Here at the Healthy Conversations Blog we talk about many therapy services, symptom presentations, prevention, and varying treatment options. The goal is to arm you with some knowledge to start a conversation with your healthcare providers. This Blog is not meant to be personal medical advice. Discussions solely involve our educated opinions. Every person’s health journey is different, and a full assessment would be recommended before prescribing any form of treatment.

Reach out to Heather@MagnoliaMovementPT.com with any questions.

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