The role of physical therapists is a crucial one as patients depend on these health care professionals to properly diagnose, restore mobility and improve quality of life. According to Dr. Saeed from Virginian Physical Therapy and Staffing, physical therapy can help by improving flexibility, restoring strength and muscle balance, and correct alignment. Given these incredible benefits for someone who has been physically impaired, therapists are in extremely high demand work in different settings including hospitals, academic settings, clinics, home health agencies, nursing homes and private companies.
Physical therapists also prescribe hands-on-care, therapeutic exercise and education initiatives. After a diagnosis is made, a personalized treatment plan will include a direct path that addresses mobility, pain management, injury recovery and chronic conditions that require conditioning. Physical therapists also motivate patients to overcome the physical and emotional challenges that come with therapy. A therapist is also a collaborator who works diligently to ensure patients receive the comprehensive care that will get them back to their daily routines.
Why Do Patients Seek Physical Therapy?
Many patients incorrectly believe that surgery is the go-to treatment to restore function quicker, physicians overwhelmingly choose physical therapy as a primary strategy as it is non-invasive. Studies have also shown that when patients receive physical therapy as a primary treatment, it reduces a patient’s medical costs by 72 percent in the first year of treatment. The study also found that treatment with a primary doctor fell by 50 percent when physicians had referred a patient to a physical therapist.
There are many reasons why a physician will refer a patient to a physical therapist for continued care including back pain, injuries, neurological issues, burns, arthritis, acute or chronic pain management, accidents and post-op orthopedic care. Their primary concern is to help people with techniques like manual therapy, ice/heat therapy and ultrasound traction therapy. Patients also receive critical benefits from physical therapy sessions that include the following reasons.
Injury Prevention
A significant benefit to physical therapy is the ability to assess the body’s weak points before creating a treatment plan. It allows the patient not only to receive treatment for an underlying problem, but it also helps build a stronger body because of the attention to muscular and skeletal weaknesses. A physical therapist will help patients by critical analysis of data to know if someone will likely sustain an injury in the future. The direct patient contact also allows physical therapists to work on muscle strength and joint endurance routines that boost the full body, which prevents injuries in the future.
Surgery Alternative
Some patients will undoubtedly be better suited for surgery, but most people are prime candidates for physical therapy to help them avoid surgical procedures altogether. By helping patients with pain management, it also helps patients enhance their physical health and well-being because of the healing properties that target mobility without the need for surgical intervention. It is a primary reason why doctors use physical therapy as an alternative treatment plan because of its proven healing abilities.
Balance and Mobility
After a patient sustains a serious injury or has been diagnosed with a chronic illness that affects balance and mobility, physical therapy is the best technique to get patients back to regular daily routines. A lack of balance and mobility significantly restricts many normal activities like working, walking, writing and eating. As therapists introduce patients to therapeutic exercises, it quickly restores mobility, which also increases the likelihood that daily routines will be completed safely because of the advancement of full-body coordination, balance and movement. It also reduces the risk of future falls.
Enhances Health Initiatives
Aging is a reality for many patients who receive physical therapy. The benefits for this group are often overlooked, even though there is much evidence to show that older patients who receive physical therapy find that it helps with pain management, arthritis and osteoporosis, which are all medical conditions that are likely as patients get older. Physical therapy is the most likely solution as it reduces the need for invasive surgeries like joint or hip replacement. It is also an effective solution for patients with chronic disease.
Reduces Recovery Time
Patients who have medical issues like strokes need physical therapy to strengthen parts of the body that are responsible for balance, posture and movement. Studies have shown that under these conditions, physical therapy reduces recovery time greatly.
Pain Management
Whether you suffer from acute or chronic pain, daily management is a challenge for many patients. Patients often use physical therapy to manage pain or overcome the symptoms completely. Chronic pain is so debilitating that people suffering from it often are unable to do anything during the day but medicate on addictive medicine. For chronic pain sufferers, it is also a debilitating condition that greatly reduces the quality of life. Physical therapists use therapeutic exercises and techniques to work the soft tissue and joints while also reducing aches or pains and restoring muscle function. For example, they may utilize therapeutic techniques during sessions such as heat and cold therapy or TENS pain relief. With continued treatment, it also helps them overcome pain.
Maximize Body Movement
Physical therapy will maximize body movement because of the collaborative approach with the patient about their care. Physical therapists are so well-trained in their craft that they are able to quickly identify the problem, provide a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan rather quickly, which gets patients set directly on a pathway to recovery.
An Alternative to Medication
Did you know that more than 54 million people are addicted to prescription medications? The medical community considers this an epidemic as it covers 20 percent of prescription users. Physicians consider physical therapy as an alternative to pills since there is long-term pain when patients have surgery or have a healing injury. Patients are also becoming wiser about their opioid pain management choices and are opting for physical therapy as the safest choice for their chronic pain management strategy.
Management of Diseases
A patient with a disease will benefit from physical therapy as it aids patients in performing normal daily activities. It also helps restore body function more quickly. Recovery is a long-term process for those who suffer from diseases like heart attacks or lung disorders. Patients with vascular diseases or diabetes will also benefit from physical therapy as it helps to manage a disease through exercise. With diabetes, physical therapy also helps patients manage their blood sugar levels with aerobic exercises and strength training.
Post Operative Benefits
Physical therapy is an ideal solution for after-surgery care to restore function, boost strength and build muscle. It will help reduce swelling and boost circulation, thereby reducing blood clots. It will also aid patients in having a quicker recovery after surgery.
How Do I Find a Qualified Physical Therapist?
Getting into physical therapy quickly is a critical part of recovery. The problem for many people who need this type of care is that they are unsure of where to find qualified physical therapists. To get the most out of your treatment, you will want to check a few critical things about a physical therapist.
1. Research
Never assume that all physical therapists are the same as they come from various backgrounds and specialized fields. Are you hiring the right one for your medical condition? You would not want to hire a back specialist if you had a sports-related injury to an arm or leg. Research would show this type of patient that a physical therapist trained in sports medicine would be more qualified for treatment. You will also want to check special skills or training that will aid you in your treatment plan.
2. Be Sure Your Therapist Is Certified
According to data released by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the most critical component to choosing your physical therapy is verification of a state license from a recognized institution as well as completion of a licensure examination. The APTA identifies seven specialized physical therapists, including clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, cardiopulmonary, neurology, pediatrics, orthopedics and sports physical therapy.
3. Hire a Physical Therapist That You Like
You will collaborate with your physical therapist closely, so choose someone who you communicate well, makes you feel comfortable and has a friendly rapport. When you get along with your physical therapist, you will most likely heal quickly as you enjoy it.
4. Choose a Physical Therapist Who Has Skills
Physical therapists are hands-on when it comes to mobility and function, so choose someone who has a reputation as a skillful healthcare provider. Using their hands effectively also enhances recovery time, which reduces pain and inflammation as well.
5. Evaluate Your Physical Therapist on First Visit
While your physical therapist is evaluating your medical needs, you will also need to evaluate your physical therapist. Did he or she consider your medical history, mobility limitations or fitness goals? Did he or she provide a comprehensive plan for treatment? Is your physical therapist personable? Just as you think about treatment, you need to consider the physical therapist’s role in it.
The more information you have about the physical therapists that are available to you, the more likely your overall experience will be a successful outcome that improves your quality of life.
