Millions of people rely on physical therapy every day to help them recover from internal and external injuries. With a proper physical therapy regimen, and consistent effort, it’s possible to return to the daily movements necessary for normal life.
If you’ve ever wondered how physical therapists create in-office and at-home treatment plans for their patients, this article will provide some insight so that you can better appreciate the knowledge and skill that goes into the practice.
Types of diagnoses
Most of the time, physical therapy patients have already received a diagnosis for their illness or injury from another care provider. The treatment that the physical therapist prescribes will fall in-line with this predetermined diagnosis. Physical therapists must have the knowledge to handle a wide range of conditions, including:
- Managing chronic pain in different areas of the body
- Preventing or recovering from sports injuries
- Rehabilitation after a stroke, injury, surgery, etc.
- Learning to use assistive devices (walkers, canes, etc.)
- Bladder and bowel control
- Women’s health concerns, such as pelvic floor training
- Adapting to a major change like an artificial limb
- And much more.
While physician’s referrals are important for certain conditions, some physical therapy practices, like Core 3 Physical Therapy, offer services regardless of whether or not you have a referral. This gives you the opportunity to heal from a condition without needing to jump through hoops.
The initial examination
At a patient’s first physical therapy session, the therapist often conducts one or a few tests to determine the severity of the issue and get a grasp on the types and duration of treatment that should be administered. These may include assessments of the patient’s ability to move, bend, grasp, walk, climb stairs, balance, maintain good posture, and more.
If possible, the physical therapist also directly asks the patient a series of questions to increase their understanding. They may ask questions about pain, experiences completing daily activities, and medical history. This allows the patient to communicate challenges with the physical therapist that wouldn’t necessarily present themselves in a formal examination.
Creating a plan
Finally, the physical therapist will create a treatment plan based on their medical expertise and their full understanding of your condition and needs. Here are some examples of activities that are often included in treatment plans, depending on the specific issue:
- Stretches and exercises, often learned in-office and completed at-home on a daily basis
- Massages
- Daily practice with an assistive device, like a cane or walker
- Heat or cold therapy for muscle pain
Patients are given an estimated recovery time based on the physical therapist’s understanding of their condition. This estimation can change over time depending on how the patient progresses. Above all, physical therapists are there to assure your health and happiness throughout your time in recovery.
Core 3 Physical Therapy has three locations throughout Pennsylvania to provide easily-accessible, quality care. We accept walk-in patients (no referral required) and would be happy to speak with you about your concerns. Together, we can begin and weather the healing process. Visit our website or give us a call today to get started.
