A physical therapist (PT) can effectively evaluate and treat a number of different conditions, injuries, or diseases that have led to abnormal physical function. People of virtually any age, regardless of their mobility level and lifestyle, can be treated with physical therapy.
The goal of physical therapists is to help you improve or regain your strength and function. They can also help to eliminate or reduce pain and get you back to your normal activity levels after having surgery, a debilitating accident, or an illness.
Physical therapy focuses on restoring function within the musculoskeletal system – including joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones – and can be used to treat a number of related disorders. The parts of the body that are usually treated in physical therapy include the spine, knee, hip, shoulder, ankles, feet, and hands.
Benefits of Physical Therapy
Physical therapists take care of you in all phases of healing, right from the initial diagnosis to the recovery and preventive stages of care. Physical therapy can provide many benefits, such as:
- Improving mobility and balance
- Reducing, managing, or eliminating pain
- Learning preventive care (e.g., fall prevention skills)
- Avoiding surgery
- Providing pre- and post-operative therapy
- Treating the underlying source of pain
- Managing age-related medical conditions
Conditions Treated by a Physical Therapist
Physical therapy can be used to treat many different conditions, including:
- Sports injuries (e.g., torn ACL, torn rotator cuff, tennis elbow)
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis and tendon injuries
- Neck pain
- Joint disorders (e.g., hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist)
- Spine conditions and back pain
- Dislocations
A physical therapist can also help patients improve the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis. Arthritis is a degenerative condition that can get worse over time.
Special exercise-related therapy can help to strengthen inflamed joints and those that have been weakened by arthritis damage. It can help to reduce pain and stiffness in the joint, improve mobility, and improve range of motion.
How Physical Therapy Works with Surgery
In some situations, surgery is unavoidable. In such a case, physical therapy is imperative in order to help you recover properly and fully.
It can help to restore function, build up muscle strength, and speed up the recovery and healing process. The types of surgery that are always followed with physical therapy include:
- Spinal surgery (spinal fusion or discectomy)
- Knee replacement surgery
- Hip replacement or hip fracture surgery
- Foot surgery
Customized Physical Therapy
In order to achieve a successful recovery, your physical therapist will work with you to design a customized therapy program which is tailored to your specific needs and requirements. The program can include a variety of treatments and techniques, including:
- A progressive exercise program
- Manual therapy to mobilize joints and soft tissue
- Electrical stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound
- Therapeutic stretches
- Custom-made orthotic insoles
- Training on how to use equipment such as crutches, walkers, braces, or splints
- Modalities for pain relief and healing (massage, heat and cold treatments)
- Coordinating additional support when required (nutritionists, hand therapists, pain specialists)
Physical Therapy in Round Rock and Austin, Texas
Physical therapy can be a great solution to alleviate pain, restore function and mobility, and increase stability and strength. It can be used to help with many chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint pain.
At Endeavor Physical Therapy & Wellness, we are an outpatient physical therapy and hand therapy clinic in Austin that offers a comprehensive range of services to promote wellness and recovery. We treat each patient with a customized therapy program and a multidisciplinary approach, whether we’re treating the spine, shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, hands, ankles, or wrists.
Physical therapy can be a great solution to getting you back out doing the things you enjoy, with less pain or no pain. To request an appointment, call us today at (512) 284-7192 or request an appointment online now. We look forward to helping you get back to feeling like yourself again!
