Physical Therapy Specialist

Physical Therapy Q & A

What is physical therapy?

Orthopedic physical therapy includes a wide range of therapies that treat conditions affecting your muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. These treatments include various forms of exercise, therapeutic massage, trigger point dry needling, and other modalities designed to relieve pain and promote healing after an injury. Your orthopedist may also recommend physical therapy (PT) to restore function and movement following surgery or as a conservative treatment that can prevent the need for surgery.

How does physical therapy help with healing?

Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints naturally weaken and stiffen when not used regularly. This could be due to inactivity after an injury or surgical procedure. Conditions such as arthritis can also cause a range of issues.

Arthritic pain in your knees, for instance, can throw your gait off and impact the alignment and health of soft tissue and bony structures in your hips and lower back. A sedentary lifestyle can weaken muscles that would ordinarily help protect and support your joints. PT can help correct these problems.

The physical therapy programs offered at Orthopedic Specialists are customized to fit the unique needs of each patient. Your program, for example, may include exercises to strengthen shoulder muscles weakened by the trauma of rotator cuff surgery and improve range of motion in your shoulder joint.

If you’re experiencing knee pain, your orthopedist may recommend physical therapy to strengthen muscles in your thighs that provide support and stability for the knees. If you’ve had a sports injury, your therapist can recommend treatment that helps prevent future injury.       

What conditions can physical therapy help?

Physical therapy programs offered at Orthopedic Specialists include:

• Guided exercises to improve your strength, flexibility, and balance
• Massage to improve circulation, speed healing, and decrease discomfort
• Joint and soft tissue mobilization to improve joint range of motion and decrease symptoms caused by strains and sprains
• Customized post-operative rehabilitation
• Whiplash treatments, such as after a motor vehicle accident
• Specialized hand therapy to address conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities, including issues such as arthritis, tennis elbow, or carpal tunnel syndrome
• Full range of therapies designed to speed healing after a sports injury and reduce your risks of future problems
• Treatment to help alleviate dizziness and symptoms of vertigo

Find out what physical therapy can do for you. Call Orthopedic Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.