What Is the Role of a Physical Therapist?
After a sports injury or other injury, many doctors send their patients to physical therapy to help them make a full recovery. But what exactly does a physical therapist do to heal your injured body?
Lederman Kwartowitz Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine trained and certified, physical therapists alleviate pain and stimulate movement in patients’ bodies to help them perform functional and everyday activities. Some physical therapists treat a broad range of patients with different injuries, while others specialize in a physical therapy. In any case, a physical therapist is there to help you gain strength, stretch muscles and ease the pain.
Physical therapists are used in various locations including physical therapy offices. They spend their days working with patients on a day-to-day basis. In hospitals, they work with patients who have severe injuries and need immediate attention to regain body function.
Before developing a plan for rehabilitation, a physical therapist consults with a patient about their accident or injury and the symptoms they are having. After conducting a thorough examination that includes tests, physical therapists stretch, move and massage the injured area. They also teach students proper exercise techniques to restore, maintain and promote body function and physical wellness. With each treatment, physical therapists perform re-examinations to determine progress and modify the treatment plan accordingly so that the patient can reach their goals.
6 ways it may benefit you:
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- Reduce or eliminate pain
- Avoid surgery
- Improve mobility
- Recover from or prevent a sports injury
- Improve your balance and prevent falls
- Manage age-related issues
