Physical Therapy (PT) helps individuals who have limited physical mobility due to injury, disease or illness. Treatment is goal-oriented and may include manual therapy, electrical stimulation (e-stim), iontophoresis, and heat or cold therapies.
Physical therapists have a unique opportunity for a client-therapist relationship that allows for a deep understanding of their clients beyond their injuries or health conditions. Visit https://www.onpointphysio.com/ to learn more.
Exercises are a vital part of physical therapy for patients with all types of injuries and conditions. They can help relieve chronic pain, prevent sports-related injuries for athletes, manage age-related health issues and improve balance and coordination. These exercises can also help patients feel more energized and improve their quality of life.
A physical therapist will create a customized exercise regimen for each patient. This program will include different types of exercises for strengthening, flexibility, and balance. The therapist will also incorporate pain-relieving techniques into the workout routine and may use heat or cold therapy to soothe any soreness or inflammation.
Strengthening exercises for joints and muscles may include squats, lunges, or repetition of movements like walking up and down stairs. Other exercises focus on the core to strengthen the muscles that support the spine. This helps reduce back pain and improve posture, stability, and mobility. Stretching exercises to increase flexibility and alleviate stiffness may include static stretching, dynamic stretching, or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques. Cardiovascular exercises are often part of the rehabilitation plan as well, and can be done on a treadmill, bike, or swimming pool to boost endurance and stamina.
When performing these exercises at home, it is important to follow the therapist’s instructions closely. This includes creating a conducive environment free of hazards, starting slow and gradually increasing intensity, and listening to your body. Sharp pain is a sign that you should stop and speak with your therapist to see what can be done to help.
Performing physical therapy exercises at least 2-3 times per week, or as prescribed by your therapist, is the best way to improve and maintain muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. It is also a good idea to keep a log of your progress, noting any pain or difficulties so that the therapist can make any necessary adjustments.
Mobilization
Oftentimes, a joint (where two bones come together like a hinged knee or a ball and socket elbow) is affected by injury, causing the muscles around it to tighten or spasm. This can limit movement and cause pain. During physical therapy sessions, your physical therapist may use a hands-on technique called joint mobilization to loosen those stiff muscles and help you move more freely.
Physical therapists have many treatment options when treating patients with orthopedic conditions such as arthritis, back pain and sports injuries. They also work with people suffering from neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease. They can also help with cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions and other issues such as wound care.
Mobilization is a hands-on treatment that involves your physical therapist using their fingers and hand to manipulate the joints, muscles and tendons of your body. It mimics the natural gliding that happens in healthy joints, helping them to improve function and reduce pain. Your physical therapist will gradually ease the movement of each joint in a gentle progression, to relieve tension and increase mobility.
Your therapist may also use other hands off treatments, such as electrical stimulation and vasopneumatic compression (a balloon-like sleeve that is inflated to apply pressure to the muscles). These techniques can also help with pain relief and can be used in conjunction with joint mobilization to help you move more easily and comfortably.
The type of joint mobilization your physical therapist uses depends on the type and severity of your injury or condition. There are 5 different grades of joint mobilization, with the first two focusing on relieving pain and improving range of motion, while the last three focus on increasing flexibility in the joints.
For example, to straighten a bent knee, your physical therapist will lie you on your back and place their hands on either side of the knee. They will then push the knee, extending the joint. Other knee joint mobilization techniques include tibia femoral glide which is done with the knee in a semi-straight position, and patella motion exercises which are side to side movements.
Heat or cold therapy
The use of heat or cold therapy can help reduce pain, stiffness and promote healing in various injuries or conditions. It is important to know when to apply these treatment options and what the proper protocol is for each.
Physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts and are trained to understand how these treatments affect the body. They are also trained to assess when it is appropriate to use ice or heat on an injury or sore muscle. In addition, they can educate patients about the best way to utilize these treatments at home.
Heat therapy warms the skin and tissue to stimulate blood flow to a specific area. This improves flexibility, increases range of motion and helps relax muscles. Physical therapists commonly recommend the use of heat in conjunction with gentle stretching and home exercises or at the beginning of a session to increase circulation and enhance muscle pliability. Heat can be applied through electric heating pads, reusable gel packs, a hot shower or bath, or steamed towels. It should be applied for no more than 15 minutes to avoid causing burns or other unwanted side effects.
Applying cold therapy to an injury or sore muscle causes blood vessels to constrict and slow circulation. This decreases inflammation and swelling and relieves pain by reducing nerve activity. It is typically recommended to be used during the subacute phase of injury healing, which occurs between four days and two weeks after an injury.
Alternating cold and heat therapy (also known as contrast therapy) is a great way to improve your recovery from musculoskeletal injuries or pain. The alternating application of cold and heat increases the flow of nutrients to the area, improving blood circulation and reducing pain by decreasing muscle tightness or spasms. A physical therapist can demonstrate this technique and provide education on how to perform it at home.
Education
A physical therapist is not only educated in medical science, but also understands how to run and operate a healthcare practice. As such, they must know how to communicate with their patients and clients about the treatment options that are available, as well as what types of exercises can help their patients reach their goals for recovery. In addition, they must be familiar with the various aspects of a patient’s medical history and be able to determine what is causing their symptoms.
Most physical therapy programs require a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite science courses. Then, students can enter a doctoral program in physical therapy that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). A three-year program will include coursework on topics such as biology, anatomy, exercise physiology, kinesiology and pathology. Students will also take courses on the cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems.
During the DPT program, students will complete at least three clinical experiences. During these clinical rotations, they will work with patients in a variety of different settings. This allows them to test their skills in different circumstances, such as a rural clinic with fewer resources than an urban hospital. Some DPT programs may also ask students to spend time in a specific setting or with a particular patient type, such as pediatrics.
After graduation, many PTs choose to specialize in a certain area. These practitioners can pursue post-professional residency or clinical fellowship programs, which allow them to gain experience in a focused practice area. There are currently 185 residency programs and 36 clinical fellowships available, according to the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
While there are still master’s degree programs in PT, most of the industry has transitioned to doctoral level programs. The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is necessary for licensure as a physical therapist in the States. A PT with this degree can also choose to obtain a Board Certification in a specific area of PT. These credentials can increase employment opportunities and pay. In the past, PTs who had only a master’s degree were able to seek licensure, but this has since changed.