What is Physical Therapy?
WHAT IS Physical TherapY?
Physical therapy is a physical medicine and rehabilitation program with two main goals: To reduce pain and improve/restore mobility. Physical therapy is a very wide profession, and professionals can work with patients from birth to old age in order to heal ailments and injuries or improve overall movement. These fields include health and wellness, and span to fitness as well, and professionals can work with anybody from injured patients high functioning athletes.
Who is a Physical Therapist?
A physical therapist is most commonly a classically trained Master or Doctor, either with an Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT/MSPT) degree or Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, who can establish a diagnosis and develop and enact a plan of care for a long term recovery. Physical therapists use researched and proven methods based in science and medicine, and work along with medical doctors, primary care physicians, and surgeons to help bring the patient to his or her full potential.
The Goal of a Physical Therapist
The goal of a physical therapist is to properly assess and diagnose an abnormality in movement and to help the patient perform maintenance and to properly move in the future in order to strengthen the area of the body that needs healing. Another goal of a physical therapist and his/her staff is to develop a long-term relationship with the patient and to create an environment that fosters growth and understanding, which will encourage health and wellness and a speedy recovery.
On and Off the Field
Physical therapy doesn’t just happen in the office. It is important to see a professional at least once a week (and in some severe cases up to twice a day 6 times a week), but in most cases, the physical therapist will give the patient some exercises to do at home, and it is important for the patient to keep up with their healing or training regimen to achieve a full recovery as quickly and painlessly as possible.
