If you are faced with the likelihood of experiencing physical therapy, your initial thoughts might not be 100% positive. But physical therapy is nevertheless a very important process that is often necessary for many of us. It can also lead to vastly improved health, which in turn can allow you to enjoy a better day-to-day existence, and have a more complete appreciation of life.

For this reason, if you have recently suffered an injury or dealt with an illness that is now creating difficulty for you to perform regular tasks, any recommendation by your doctor that you undergo physical therapy might eventually be the best case scenario for you. Because if this occurs, the goal is to relieve your pain while also assisting you in moving more efficiently and improving the quality of your life.

The Advantages Of Physical Therapy

In addition to decreasing your discomfort, physical therapy can also increase your mobility, help you recover from a sports injury, or manage an ongoing illness such as arthritis, heart disease or diabetes. It can also improve your balance if you have recently suffered a fall, and it can even boost your chances of recovery after a stroke, an accident or a recent surgery.

The list of advantages that exist with an effective physical therapy plan and the ongoing dedication toward achieving its objectives is extensive. Anyone who goes through the process of therapy will be working with a licensed health professional that has received training in this field and is usually referred to as a ‘PT’ or physiotherapist. In many cases, PTs have obtained a master’s degree, while others have received a doctorate. In each case, it is required that they pass a national exam in order to become certified. At that point, they are licensed to help their patients.

What Your Therapist Will Do

We are all unique individuals, and the specifics that led us to physical therapy can certainly be different. But If you have suffered an injury, and physical therapy has been recommended to you, it will be helpful to remember that this presents you with an opportunity to improve your health. Eventually, it will also greatly increase your chances of returning to more normal activities without experiencing any pain.

If your doctor has endorsed physical therapy, and you have progressed into your first visit with an actual therapist, then he or she will very likely begin by testing your current capabilities. This will enable your therapist to have a full understanding of your situation, and construct a logical treatment plan.

You may be asked to conduct various movements as part of this testing, which can form the foundation for comparison of your improvement as you continue through the physical therapy process. This should involve checking your range of motion, mobility, strength, and balance.

Once you have completed any initial testing, it can be beneficial for you to work with your therapist in determining your specific goals for this process. This can help you align your thinking toward attaining these goals, which should remain both practical and achievable.

Once the goals have been established, your therapist will supply you with safe exercises. This can become a regular routine for you, as you steadily build your strength and mobility, while also adhering to your specific plan in order to maximize your chances of achieving your objectives. All of which will dramatically improve your situation and your quality of life. In addition to the movements that will be designed to increase your mobility and strength, your therapist may also include ice, heat, and electric stimulation as part of your overall plan toward improvement.

Injuries And Illnesses That Physical Therapy Can Improve

While it would be natural to immediately envision physical therapy being associated with sports-related injuries, the more complete list of injuries and illnesses that this process can help patients overcome includes:

• Cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions (including heart attacks)
• Neurological issues (including Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, spinal cord injuries)
• Orthopedics (including injuries to the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons)
• Women’s Health (including postpartum and pelvic floor issues)
• Pediatrics (including diseases and injuries with infants, toddlers, and children)

At Orthopedic Associates We Are Ready To Help

Finding the right physical therapist and a high-quality facility is not always easy. But we can provide that to you at Orthopedic Associates. We can also offer you over 5,500 square feet that are fully dedicated to delivering the physical therapy and rehabilitation that you need in order to have an effective, long-lasting recovery.

Your restoration process will begin with contemporary therapy techniques, stretching work, and specific exercises to strengthen your core. You will also be given access to innovative tools and an impressive array of equipment that is all designed to boost your chances of having a successful recovery.

Physical therapy is just one of the areas in which our top-rated orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists can provide the assistance that you need.

Physical Therapy Director:

• Pat Cooper, PT 

Physical and Occupational Therapists:

• Tara Dean, MS, PT
• Heather Denton, DPT
• Joselin Feriah OT, CHT
• Brad McClatchey, MS, PT
• Paul Preston, PT

Orthopedic Associates has provided all-inclusive orthopedic services and expertise since it was founded in 1976 and can supply you with 183 combined years of experience from our eight board-certified physicians and two board-eligible physicians in orthopedic specialties.

In addition to Physical Therapy, Orthopedic Associates is an all-inclusive, end-to-end care facility that awaits you when you are in need. Whether it’s Sports Medicine, Joint Replacement, Orthoscopic Surgery, In-House Imaging, In-House Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma, or Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Associates can help escort you along the path to a pain-free life by contacting us today. If you have questions, you can also call us, and we will provide you with answers, and help you schedule an appointment.