Each October the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) hosts National Physical Therapy month to recognize how physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can help transform society by restoring and improving motion in people’s lives. You can learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat, and find a physical therapist in your area at MoveForwardPT.com.
Physical Therapists Provide:
Physical therapists apply research and proven techniques to help people get back in motion. All physical therapists are required to receive a graduate degree – either a master’s degree or a clinical doctorate. They are trusted health care professionals with extensive clinical experience who examine, diagnose, and then prevent or treat conditions that limit the body’s ability to move and function in daily life.
Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. Physical therapists diagnose and treat people of all ages, including newborns, children, and elderly individuals. They may consult and practice with other health professionals to help you improve your mobility.
What to Expect from a Physical Therapist:
Blending science with inspiration, your physical therapist will teach you how to prevent or manage a health condition and help motivate you during your treatment so you can function optimally. Your physical therapist will work with you to help you understand your body so you will achieve long-term health benefits.
Many people are referred to a physical therapist in order to rehabilitate from a major medical trauma or surgery, but increasing research suggests that treatment by a physical therapist is often an equally effective – and cheaper – alternative to surgery and prescription drugs for numerous conditions ranging from back pain and degenerative disk disease to meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis.
Physical therapists routinely work collaboratively with their patients. Treatment plans can be designed for the patient’s individual goals, challenges, and needs. Receiving treatment by a physical therapist is rarely a passive activity, and participating in your own recovery can be empowering. In many cases, patients develop an ongoing relationship with their physical therapist to maintain optimum health and movement abilities across the lifespan.
By: Michelle Young, PT, OCS, Cert MDT, Physical Therapist at Valley Health Rehabilitation Services – Winchester Medical Center
Reference: www.apta.org/
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