What treatments do physical therapists use?
Most physical therapy patients require a combination of different treatments to support quick and complete healing for injuries and conditions. A physical therapist completes a thorough assessment of the patient and develops a unique combination for each. Each physical therapist has training and qualifications in various modalities, and many specialize in treating specific injuries or conditions. Physical therapists regularly reassess patients, so the individual modalities tend to shift as the patient improves during the period of their treatment.
Popular treatments and techniques include:
- Cupping
- Dry Needling
- Edema Control
- Electrical Stimulation
- Heat and/or Cold Therapy
- Specific Exercises
- Biofeedback Therapy
- Hands-on Manual Therapy
- Gait training
- Balance Therapy
- Ultrasound
Does physical therapy really work?
Yes. Physical therapy is frequently one of the best treatments for long-term, chronic pain or an acute injury. Various physical therapy treatments can build your strength and flexibility and speed healing. Physical therapists treat not only your pain but also the source of that pain. Physical therapy helps ensure complete recovery and reduce the risk of reinjury.
Your physical therapist uncovers areas of stiffness, pain, or weakness. And after a thorough assessment, they will treat those areas with certain types of treatments and ongoing exercises that ease pain and help you move more freely. There are many types of physical therapy treatments. Most patients require a combination of therapies to support full recovery.
Can physical therapy make my pain worse?
If you have more pain after a physical therapy session, speak to your physical therapist. Sometimes a treatment modality may make you feel worse after your therapy appointment, but you should not feel more pain. Sometimes patients are sore after a physical therapy treatment because the physical therapist mobilizes, stretches, and strengthens the affected area. Some treatments reduce or even eliminate pain immediately, although the pain will come back until your healing is complete. Your physical therapist has treatment options specifically to reduce pain. So, if your pain is worse, it may be time to change the therapies in your customized treatment plan.
How many times a week should I go to physical therapy?
Most physical therapists initially recommend 2 or 3 visits a week for the first 4-6 weeks. This schedule optimizes the benefits you receive from treatments immediately. Then, most of the time, the frequency drops to 1-2 visits weekly until your condition resolves. If you consistently follow the home exercise program recommended by your physical therapist, your number of visits will be minimized.
But physical therapy protocols vary for different injuries and conditions. And each person responds to their custom physical therapy program differently. If your pain level is high or you have a new injury, you will want to go to physical therapy more times a week. Fortunately, your physical therapist will discuss your treatment plan with you, including their recommendation for your visit schedule.
Can physical therapy be done at home?
Physical therapy requires the oversight of a qualified physical therapist. Unfortunately, if you have a condition or injury, if you try to perform PT exercises or therapies at home, you may make your condition worse. To have physical therapy at home, you have 2 options. 1) Mobile physical therapists come to you. They bring all the tools required to perform professional physical therapy sessions with them. Some physical therapists are only mobile, and some clinics offer a mobile option. 2) Physical therapy is also available by telemedicine. Not every service a physical therapist would provide is available this way. But they can oversee your exercises. With PT telemedicine, many patients maintain their physical therapy, especially during lockdowns.
What is the best time of day to do physical therapy?
The best time of day to do physical therapy is the time of day that you are most likely to do your physical therapy. For most people, taking time first thing in the morning is best because it is easier to make the commitment to get it done. Set up to do your regular physical therapy exercises before the rest of the day gets in the way. The later in the day it is, the more likely you are to feel too tired, sore, or otherwise just not feel like it.
If you are making an appointment with your physical therapist, the best time of day is whenever you are both available. There is no specific time of day when physical therapy treatments get the best results. Many physical therapists have evening and weekend hours to accommodate the busiest of patients.
How much does physical therapy cost out of pocket?
Physical therapy out of pocket costs depends on many factors. A single physical therapy session paid out of pocket will cost you at BodyFit $265 per session, but depending upon your issue and suggested plan of care, you may qualify for packages of sessions that may bring the price per session down to $180. Frequently, a patient who chooses a physical therapist charging more per session finds they require fewer sessions for a full recovery.
Is physical therapy good exercise?
Physical therapy works to help you strengthen muscles, reduce pain, and increase flexibility. Patients use physical therapy to heal after an injury, from a condition, reduce the risk of reinjury, and support peak athletic performance. Physical therapists prescribe specific exercises based on a patient's condition as part of an improvement and maintenance program. These exercises provide an excellent base for that particular patient. Still, they may not be good exercise per se for someone else.
Peak performance exercises recommended by physical therapists are usually excellent exercise. As part of a personal training program, the exercises help the athlete reach optimal performance in their sport, specifically considering any previous injuries.
