What kind of PT is right for me?
So you heard about physical therapy and wonder what it is all about. Maybe your doctor recommended you go because you reported pain. Maybe a family member wants you to work with a physical therapist because they notice you struggling to stand from a chair or that your walking pattern looks abnormal. Maybe your friend mentioned that physical therapy helped with their incontinence or during their pregnancy.
Well...LUCKY YOU! Physical therapy helps with all of these issues and more. Check out Choose PT’s Diagnosis Checker to see if your diagnosis can be helped with physical therapy.
While I could go on and on sharing about physical therapy, I will give a broad understanding of how a physical can help you.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “Physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life. Many patients have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that need treatment. But physical therapists also care for people who simply want to become healthier and to prevent future problems.”
In 2016 the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) made the Doctorate in Physical Therapy the required degree for all of its accredited entry-level physical therapist education programs. Doctoral students study for three years learning about “biology/anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic, and musculoskeletal.” Included in schooling are supervised clinical experiences allowing students to practice treating patients in multiple settings.
After graduation, students must pass a state licensure exam (so make sure your PT is licensed in your state). After becoming licensed, most physical therapists decide on a particular area of therapy to specialize in. The most commonly known area of physical therapy is orthopedics. However, many different practice areas exist. If you think physical therapy might be for you, ask your therapist if they have experience treating your diagnosis or impairment.
Below are descriptions of some physical therapy practice areas:
Acute Care: Physical therapists working in hospitals, overnight rehab facilities or skilled nursing facility. Patients learn skills such as walking, moving in and out of bed or a chair, and safely using the toilet or shower. Acute care patients may be more medically complex, often post operative, have major medical problems requiring hospitalization, are not safe to live alone. Physical Therapists working in acute care can specialize in:
Wound care
Cardiopulmonary care
Pediatrics
Oncology
Neurology
Outpatient: Physical therapists working in a clinic setting. Patients schedule appointments and participate in therapy approximately 1-3 times per week. Physical Therapists working in outpatient clinics can specialize in:
Orthopedics
Sports
Neurology
Aquatic (pool physical therapy)
Pelvic health (women and men)
Pediatrics
Geriatric
Prehab (preventative care)
Oncology
Chronic pain
Home Health: Physical therapist who comes to your home. Home health therapists cater to homebound patients. However, there are now some PT companies that provide orthopedic home visits for busy patients that would rather be treated at home versus a clinic.
After finding the right physical therapist, what treatments will you receive? Physical therapists use many treatment techniques:
Exercise: strength and endurance, range of motion, and flexibility
Manual therapy: massage, stretching, joint mobilizations, ultrasound, electric stimulation, light/laser therapy, cupping, instrument assisted soft tissue massage, and taping
Therapeutic activities: dynamic activities that use multiple parameters (strength, range of motion, balance) together to improve functional performance
Balance and walking training: neuromuscular reeducation of movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, and/or proprioception for sitting and/or standing activities, skilled improvement of gait, including stair climbing
Self care: home management training (ADL and compensatory training, meal preparation, safety procedures and instructions in the use of assistive technology devices/adaptive equipment)
Special equipment training: wheelchair management, orthotic management and training, Prosthetic training
Things to keep in mind
Many people do not realize that all states now allow direct access to physical therapy. This means you can see a PT without a visit to the doctor’s office first (depending on your insurance carrier). Level of access may vary slightly for each state. In California, direct access allows patients to receive physical therapist services and receive treatment for up to 45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever comes first. If further therapy is required, the patient will need to be referred to his/her physician for an exam and to receive a physical therapy prescription.
Physical therapy does not replace your primary care physician. It is recommended to be under the care of a medical doctor who is responsible for your health as well. I always encourage patients to check in regularly with their primary care physician, surgeon, orthopedic specialist or neurologist. By having a team approach, patient quality of care improves.
Check out Choose PT’s Diagnosis Checker for more information. You will be surprised at how much physical therapy can help!
If you still are curious about physical therapy and how it can help you, please reach out to me at jaymebarrdpt@gmail.com. I am always happy to answer questions via email or schedule a phone consultation.
Please comment below if you are a physical therapist and what you specialize in or if you are a patient that has benefited from physical therapy!
References
“About Physical Therapists (PTs) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs).” American Physical Therapy Association, 22 June 2020, www.choosept.com/aboutptsptas/default.aspx.
“Becoming a Physical Therapist.” APTA, 2020, www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/becoming-a-pt.
“The Clinical Doctorate (or ‘DPT’) Becomes the Only Degree Conferred by CAPTE-Accredited Educational Institutions.” APTA Centennial, 1 Jan. 1970, centennial.apta.org/timeline/the-clinical-doctorate-or-dpt-becomes-the-only-degree-conferred-by-capte-accredited-educational-institutions/.
“Direct Access Advocacy.” APTA, 2020, www.apta.org/advocacy/issues/direct-access-advocacy.
“Direct Access By State.” APTA, 24 Oct. 2019, www.apta.org/advocacy/issues/direct-access-advocacy/direct-access-by-state.
“Symptoms & Conditions.” ChoosePT Provided by APTA, 2020, www.choosept.com/symptomsconditions.aspx.
“Will My Insurance Pay?” Move California - Will My Insurance Pay? - California Physical Therapy Association, 2015, www.ccapta.org/mpage/MoveInsurance.
