Healing At Home

Posted on: 26 August 2021

Physical therapy can sometimes be a critical step in the recovery process for some. Oftentimes you will be referred to physical therapy by your regular doctor if you've been injured or something is preventing you from normally completing daily tasks. 

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a rehabilitation service for those who have been injured or are struggling to function properly. Physical therapy is provided by a licensed and experienced physical therapist.

The goals of physical therapy can include:

• Pain relief or management
• Balance restoration
• Range of motion improvement
• Bladder and bowel control
• Artificial limb adaption

How Does Physical Therapy Work?

During the first physical therapy appointment, your new physical therapist, or PT, will complete an evaluation. During this evaluation, your PT will be looking for signs that point toward a diagnosis.

To find the diagnosis, your PT will complete tests on how well you can do the following:

• Walk
• Climb stairs
• Bend
• Reach
• Grab

Your PT is also going to be testing your heartbeat during activity and your posture. Once the diagnosis is decided, you and your PT can create a care plan and goals. Goals are very important in the recovery process, as they serve as a motivation to you, but they also let your PT know exactly where you want to be once your treatment is complete. Your PT will be able to curate a treatment plan better adapted to your needs when they know the outcome you want to see. 

Physical Therapy Treatment 

Your PT will work with you until you both feel you have reached your goal. Your PT can incorporate many techniques and exercises into your treatment plan depending on your diagnosis and goals. 

Those techniques can include:

• Stretches
• Hot or cold massage therapy
• Exercises to work the target area
• Walker training
• Artificial limb training

If at any time you or your PT feel something in the treatment plan is not working in your best interest, they are able to modify it to better suit you. 

Physical Therapy Benefits

Physical therapy is a great way for someone who has been injured or unable to function to get their independence back. 

Physical therapy can:

• Relieve pain
• Improvement movement and agility
• Improve balance

It's also possible for physical therapy to help you avoid future surgeries. By managing your pain through physical therapy, it can give your body a break and prevent further wear. 

Where Is Physical Therapy Provided?

Physical therapy services are notorious for traveling to the client in need. 

Physical therapy can be provided at the following places:

• Hospital
• Physical therapy clinic
• Rehab clinic
• Nursing home
• School
• Work

For more information about physical therapy, contact a local service, like Attentive Home Health.