The Role Physical Therapy Plays In General Orthopedic Care Today
Whenever you sprain an ankle or suffer a deep bruise or similar injury to an arm or leg, what is the first thing that you do? You go to your doctor for some general orthopedic care for that injury.
Orthopedics as a discipline covers a wide range of treatment for most injuries and diseases that affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments or bones in the human body.
There are quite a few specialist disciplines under this school of treatment and each one is specific to the exact condition of the patient.
In this article, we will explore the specialty of physical therapy and how it can play a huge role in the treatment of certain medical conditions.
Going Beyond General Orthopedic Care Most people will go to their doctors whenever they suffer an injury that requires more than just regular first aid to treat; especially when it involves pulled or strained muscles.
There are also a vast array of medical conditions that can affect the bones and muscles in our bodies, from arthritis to sciatica, and the treatment for these types of ailments may need to go beyond pain management, and require surgery or other non-surgical methods like chiropractic or physical therapy.
Chiropractic therapy can help with pain management through adjustments and other non-surgical therapies designed to help the bones and muscles in an affected area, like the back, regain their proper position and begin to heal on their own.
Physical therapy on the other hand, helps a patient to continue to function within the limitation of an injury or physical condition, so that they can regain mobility and flexibility.
It also helps to improve the overall health of the patient during treatment.
What Happens During Physical Therapy? During the initial assessment, the physical therapist will often take a thorough assessment of the patient's condition or injury, by asking a series of questions designed to tell them how well the patient is functioning physically.
Depending on how the patient was referred, as a coordinated treatment plan for their injury or as after care therapy post-surgery, an X-ray or MRI may be taken to see how well the affected area is responding to the medical treatment.
The therapist will use this information to develop a plan for physical exercises to help the patient regain function of the affected area, to regain physical strength and well-being and improve their flexibility, balance, coordination and fitness.
The main difference between physical therapy and other disciplines such as chiropractic medicine is that it requires the full cooperation of the patient for any therapeutic measures to succeed.
While the exercise routines prescribed may seem simple on the surface, there is a definite science behind it all, that encompasses the anatomy of the intricate networks of muscles throughout the human body, their tolerances for flexibility and strength, and how to generate self-healing of the body through kinetic resistance and physical exertion.
Not a Quick Fix While physical therapy sessions may incorporate treatments normally used in general orthopedic care, like hot and cold packs, massage, ultrasound tests and TENS therapy, it should never be thought of as a quick fix for what ails you.
For physical therapy to work successfully, it requires the full cooperation of the patient and a true desire to work together to achieve its maximum effects.
Pain medication will ease your pain but physical therapy will restore function and flexibility you may not have with medication alone.
It takes time, patience and perseverance, but the rewards far outweigh the difficulty.
Orthopedics as a discipline covers a wide range of treatment for most injuries and diseases that affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments or bones in the human body.
There are quite a few specialist disciplines under this school of treatment and each one is specific to the exact condition of the patient.
In this article, we will explore the specialty of physical therapy and how it can play a huge role in the treatment of certain medical conditions.
Going Beyond General Orthopedic Care Most people will go to their doctors whenever they suffer an injury that requires more than just regular first aid to treat; especially when it involves pulled or strained muscles.
There are also a vast array of medical conditions that can affect the bones and muscles in our bodies, from arthritis to sciatica, and the treatment for these types of ailments may need to go beyond pain management, and require surgery or other non-surgical methods like chiropractic or physical therapy.
Chiropractic therapy can help with pain management through adjustments and other non-surgical therapies designed to help the bones and muscles in an affected area, like the back, regain their proper position and begin to heal on their own.
Physical therapy on the other hand, helps a patient to continue to function within the limitation of an injury or physical condition, so that they can regain mobility and flexibility.
It also helps to improve the overall health of the patient during treatment.
What Happens During Physical Therapy? During the initial assessment, the physical therapist will often take a thorough assessment of the patient's condition or injury, by asking a series of questions designed to tell them how well the patient is functioning physically.
Depending on how the patient was referred, as a coordinated treatment plan for their injury or as after care therapy post-surgery, an X-ray or MRI may be taken to see how well the affected area is responding to the medical treatment.
The therapist will use this information to develop a plan for physical exercises to help the patient regain function of the affected area, to regain physical strength and well-being and improve their flexibility, balance, coordination and fitness.
The main difference between physical therapy and other disciplines such as chiropractic medicine is that it requires the full cooperation of the patient for any therapeutic measures to succeed.
While the exercise routines prescribed may seem simple on the surface, there is a definite science behind it all, that encompasses the anatomy of the intricate networks of muscles throughout the human body, their tolerances for flexibility and strength, and how to generate self-healing of the body through kinetic resistance and physical exertion.
Not a Quick Fix While physical therapy sessions may incorporate treatments normally used in general orthopedic care, like hot and cold packs, massage, ultrasound tests and TENS therapy, it should never be thought of as a quick fix for what ails you.
For physical therapy to work successfully, it requires the full cooperation of the patient and a true desire to work together to achieve its maximum effects.
Pain medication will ease your pain but physical therapy will restore function and flexibility you may not have with medication alone.
It takes time, patience and perseverance, but the rewards far outweigh the difficulty.