What Is the Meaning of Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a health care profession focused on developing, maintaining and restoring optimal movement potential throughout the lifespan. This includes the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders and disabilities affecting the musculoskeletal system, neuromuscular system, cardiovascular and respiratory systems as well as integumentary (including skin and hair) systems.

The field of physical therapy has evolved over time and with the need for society to be able to treat a wide range of conditions. Its foundation lies in the sciences of physiology, biomechanics and human movement.

Depending on the injury or condition, your therapist will use a variety of treatment techniques and equipment to help you recover from your injury and get back to your normal life. These may include stretching exercises, core strengthening and stability training as well as ice and heat treatments to ease pain and reduce swelling.

Your physical therapist will also work with you to teach you correct body mechanics that will prevent future injuries and discomfort in your joints, muscles and other parts of the body. Using this knowledge and guidance, she will develop a plan of treatment that will help you to achieve the best possible outcomes from your physical therapy session.

To achieve this, she will conduct a thorough evaluation of your movements and pain. This will include a medical history and an examination, as well as your strength and range of motion. Look for more facts about PT at https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/21/tech/alma-mental-health/index.html.

She will also provide you with an individualized treatment plan that includes a combination of manual work and stretching and strengthening exercises. This is designed to help improve your muscle and tissue quality, reduce pain and swelling and increase the effectiveness of any physical therapy exercises that you do at home.

You can expect to attend your physical therapy sessions for about an hour. This is usually enough to complete your entire treatment. You will likely be given an exercise booklet to take away with you so that you can continue to progress at home between sessions.

Some physical therapists may offer an additional service such as massage therapy to further relieve your pain and reduce swelling. This can be especially helpful for patients with chronic pain conditions such as arthritis or spinal disorders.

Your physical therapist will also use modalities such as acupuncture and electrical stimulation to alleviate pain. These can help to relax the nerves that control your pain and stimulate blood flow for faster healing.

These types of physical therapy techniques are used to treat a range of conditions including low back pain, knee and hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis and sciatica. These techniques are administered with a light touch to help soothe the nerves and increase blood flow to the affected area, reducing the pain.

To help you find the right therapist for your needs, it is a good idea to read reviews online or ask friends and family for recommendations. It is important to choose a therapist with the expertise and experience that you need.