|
Physical Therapy
The physical therapist provides services
aimed at preventing the onset and/or slowing the progression
of conditions resulting from injury, disease, and other causes. The
physical therapist
provides these services to people of all ages who have functional
conditions resulting
from back and neck injuries, sprains/strains and fractures,
arthritis, burns, amputations,
stroke, multiple sclerosis, birth defects such as cerebral
palsy and spina bifida,
injuries related to work and sports, and others.
Physical therapists (PTs) provide services that help restore
function, improve mobility, relieve
pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities for
patients suffering from
injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote
overall fitness and health. Their
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 the patient's medical history and then test and measure
the patient's strength,
range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance,
respiration, and motor function. They also determine the patient's ability
to be independent and
reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness. Next,
physical therapists
develop treatment plans describing a treatment strategy, its
purpose, and its anticipated
outcome. Physical therapist assistants, under the direction
and supervision of a
physical therapist, may be involved in implementing treatment
plans with patients.
Treatment
often includes exercise for patients who have been immobilized
and lack flexibility,
strength, or endurance. Physical therapists encourage patients
to use their own muscles
to increase their flexibility and range of motion before finally
advancing to other exercises
that improve 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, and ultrasound
to relieve pain and reduce swelling. They may use traction
or deep-tissue massage
to relieve pain. Therapists also teach patients to use
assistive and adaptive devices,
such as crutches, prostheses, and wheelchairs. They also
may show patients exercises
to do at home to expedite their recovery.
As
treatment continues, physical therapists document the patient’s
progress, conduct periodic
examinations, and modify treatments when necessary. Besides
tracking the patient’s
progress, such documentation identifies areas requiring more
or less attention.
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.
|
