Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and possibly help prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. It can help restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health.
Physical therapist's patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
Therapists examine patient's medical histories and then test and measure their strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. With these results, they develop plans describing a treatment strategy and its anticipated outcome.
Treatment often includes exercise, especially for patients who have been immobilized or who lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. Physical therapists encourage patients to use their muscles to increase their flexibility and range of motion. More advanced exercises focus on improving strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. The goal is to improve how an individual functions at work and at home.
Physical therapists also use electrical stimulation, hot packs or cold compresses, ultrasound, traction and/or deep-tissue massage. Therapists also teach patients to use assistive and adaptive devices, such as crutches, prostheses, and wheelchairs. They also may show patients how to do exercises at home to expedite their recovery. As treatment continues, physical therapists document the patient's progress, conduct periodic examinations, and modify treatments when necessary.
Physical therapists often consult and practice with a variety of other professionals, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists. Some physical therapists treat a wide range of ailments; others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.