Physical Therapy isn’t just for post-op treatments, back injury or to improve sports performance. PT is a branch of rehabilitative healthcare where trained and licensed medical professionals with a doctorate degrees use physical movements and exercise regimens, or specialized physical therapy focused equipment to treat physical functions that are no longer within a “normal range” to help you heal faster, keep active, mobile, free from pain killers, injections or surgery, and stay out of the doctor’s office.
Physical therapists (PTs) are trained to evaluate a wide range of condition such as an injury, disease, or disability, recommend and provide an appropriate treatment. Before more invasive treatment is recommended by your doctor, often times they will suggest to see a physical therapist to help restore and maintain physical function and mobility without aggressive interventions.
Often times licensed physical therapists work in conjunction with other medical teams in rehab centers, hospitals, sports and fitness centers, schools, offices, or like us have their own clinics to provide the most flexibility and customization of treatment so you can get back to doing what you love.
Below is a list of some common diseases treated by an experienced physical therapist (in no particular order) which includes neurological disorders, genetic, or musculoskeletal disorders, as well as sports injuries or even common issues like vertigo (dizziness). This is not an exhaustive list and we will continually add more diseases so come back in the future!
Lymphedema
Lymphedema refers to swelling from excess fluids which gather in the lympatic system that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs. Sometimes both arms or both legs swell. Physical therapists use “Complete Decongestive Therapy” (CDT) to reduce swelling and help prevent future fluid buildup.
Our lymphatic system is crucial to keeping our body healthy. It circulates protein-rich lymph fluid throughout our body, collecting bacteria, viruses and waste
Lymphedema signs and symptoms, which occur in your affected arm or leg, include:
Swelling of part or all of your arm or leg, including fingers or toes
A feeling of heaviness or tightness
Restricted range of motion
Aching or discomfort
Recurring infections
Hardening and thickening of the skin (fibrosis)
The swelling caused by lymphedema ranges from mild, hardly noticeable changes in the size of your arm or leg to extreme changes that make the limb hard to use. Lymphedema caused by cancer treatment may not occur until months or years after treatment.
Sports Injuries
From casual jogging to competitive organized sports, nearly all athletic endeavors carry a certain risk of injury for active adults and athletes. Sports injuries such as muscle strains, ligament tears, and dislocations have caused numerous athletes to be sidelined for games, full seasons, or in serious cases, entire careers. Repetitive strain and stress injuries such as stress fractures or:
swimmer's shoulder.
pitching elbow.
runner's knee.
jumper's knee.
Achilles tendonitis.
Osgood-Schlatter disease (Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition that causes pain and swelling below the knee joint, where the patellar tendon attaches to the top of the shinbone (tibia), a spot called the tibial tuberosity. There may also be inflammation of the patellar tendon, which stretches over the kneecap)
shin splints.
When sports or stress injuries occur, many physicians refer athletes to physical therapists for rehabilitation to help them get back their full range of function.
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic diseases that causes the muscles to weaken and eventually break down over time. Muscular dystrophy often affects the skeletal muscles that control movement.
Muscles and skeleton degenerate and get progressively weakened owing to age or various disorders. This can be treated with mobility exercises and using supporting frames. The primary goals of physical therapy are to allow greater motion in the joints and to prevent contractures and scoliosis. The impact of DMD can be minimized significantly with physical therapy which can help to prevent deformities, increase mobility, and keep muscles strong and flexible in patients with muscular dystrophy. A personalized PT program is often developed to meet the specific needs of the patient. A physical therapy program may include:
Passive stretching to increase joint flexibility and prevent contractures
Range of motion exercises to increase muscle strength
Exercises to prevent muscle atrophy
Deep breathing exercises to keep the lungs fully expanded
Electrical muscle stimulation
A physical therapist may also work with patients to correct their posture. This type of therapy is used to counter the muscle weakness, contractures, and spinal irregularities that may force individuals with MD into uncomfortable positions. Assistive devices may also be used for support and to distribute weight evenly, and help the spine and legs to straighten. Physical therapist may also assist patients with using other assistive devices such as wheelchairs, splints and braces, and other orthopedic devices to help maintain mobility.
Back and Neck Pain
Acute pain that comes on suddenly or chronic back and neck pain that lasts for months or years restrict normal functioning. Physical therapy eases pain and improves mobility. Most physical therapy programs for back or neck pain involve applying treatments to reduce pain and/or stiffness enough to begin an exercise program of strengthening and stretching the back or neck. The specific strategies and exercises used in physical therapy, as well as the duration of the treatment plan, is determined on case by case bases.
Physical therapy for back and neck pain typically includes the following goals:
Reduce pain and stiffness
Improve head, neck, shoulder, back or hip’s range of motion
Develop dynamic strengthening of the neck or spine and its supporting musculature
Develop strategies to prevent pain from recurring
Even if pain cannot be completely eliminated, physical therapy may play an important role in improving neck or back posture and function for daily movements.
Physical therapy may be recommended when you experience unspecified chronic pain, recovering from injury or back or neck surgery. PT might not be a good option when a patient has a significant spinal instability where spine is not stable enough for exercises such as if a vertebral bone is fractured, or if spinal degeneration causes compression of the spinal cord or a nerve root. In such cases, the spine must be stabilized to prevent further injury before resuming physical therapy. PT might also not be the right option when Serious underlying medical issue exists for instance if neck pain results from an infection or tumor, the underlying cause must be addressed first.
Two physical therapy methods used for treating back or neck pain is passive or active physical therapy which involve treatments applied to patient’s body without effort from the patient and patient actively participating in exercises. During a typical physical therapy session, both methods may be used depending on
Limited Range of Motion (ROM)
Too much stress due to the overuse of some parts of your body causes swelling or you feel tenderness in those areas. Rage of motion gets impeded, which can be revived with therapy. Likewise, physical therapy will achieve better extension or flexion.
Osteoporosis
Thin and brittle, sponge-like bones have lots of holes inside them, causing them to break. Similarly, disabling fractures can be prevented with timely therapy.
Vertigo
Dizziness or lightheadedness is a general and frequent complaint of many people, leading to dangerous falls. Since physical therapy improves balance, vertigo can be treated.
Headaches
Migraine and tension-type headaches can lead to severe head or neck injury. A proper plan of care can be implemented to increase neck mobility and strengthen the upper back muscles.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Sitting at a computer all day leads to repetitive stress injuries. However, wrist injuries and pain can be subdued by changing your posture and performing stretches and exercises.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
This complex disorder causes debilitating tiredness that cannot be improved with rest. Physical therapists, together with doctors, formulate a treatment plan with endurance training tasks.
Respiratory Issues
Chronic bronchitis, as well as other respiratory disorders, can be treated with pulmonary rehabilitation plans by strengthening the lungs with diaphragmatic breathing tasks.
Burns
Severe burns and splinting can be treated with physical therapy in collaboration with a medical team to prevent unwanted scar tissue. For example, scar tissue massage will help regenerate healthy soft tissues such as muscles and tendons.
Joint Replacement
In a similar manner, post-operative care for surgical removal and replacement of hip or knee joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis) will certainly provide adequate knee relief from pain.
Ankle Sprain
Twisting your ankle causes the ligaments that support it to get stretched and torn, leading to swollen and painful ankle. Moreover, ankle sprains can heal faster and you regain strength with good home exercises suggested by therapists.
Parkinson’s Disease
This neurological and progressive movement disorder causes chronic motor limitations and tremors. Similarly, it can be treated with physical therapy and resistance strength exercises.
Foot Fracture
A simple fall can lead to broken bones, closed, open, or compound fractures, as a result, your movement and independence will be affected. Depending on the severity of your pain and the fracture location, treatment will be prescribed.
Huntington’s Disease
Both voluntary and involuntary movements get affected by Huntington’s disease. Spasms, slurred speech, and unsteady gait are some of the common symptoms, which can be treated with physical therapy.
Knee Ligament Injury
Bands of tissue on either side of the knee, known as ligaments, can be damaged with injuries occurring in contact sports or if hit strongly.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor disorders, sexual problems, especially in women, can be treated by correcting the posture and lifting and carrying weights properly.
Cancer
Cancer treatment may leave patients in severe pain and disability, which affects their quality of life. Managing the consequences of the type of cancer can be made possible when physical therapists identify and treat impairments.
From sports injuries to Parkinson’s disease, from vertigo to cancer, physical therapy can become crucial in the treatment of several medical conditions. Contact XO Physical Therapy, your trusted physiotherapists and start living life to the fullest!