What Are the Most Common Conditions Treated with Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can effectively treat a number of conditions and help patients return to a pain free, normal life. This treatment focuses on restoring body function that has been affected by injury, trauma or disease. It helps relieve pain, prevent stiffness, enhance range of motion, and improve strength, co-ordination and mobility. Physical therapists also prescribe fitness programs that will help prevent loss of mobility. The five major areas of physical therapy are orthopedic physical therapy, geriatric physical therapy, neurological physical therapy, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation and pediatric physical therapy.

Conditions that Can be Treated

•    Back pain
•    Neck pain
•    Knee pain
•    Shoulder pain
•    Stroke
•    Sprains, strains, fractures
•    Sports injuries
•    Orthopedic injuries
•    Arthritis
•    Sciatica
•    Headaches
•    Hip, knee, shoulder and other joint replacement surgeries
•    Degenerative disc disease
•    Bursitis, tendonitis
•    Carpal tunnel syndrome

Effective Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Programs

Patients experiencing any of the above conditions can seek treatment at a recognized physical therapy rehabilitation center. Physical therapists at such a center will first diagnose your condition and then decide on an appropriate treatment plan. Usually, physical therapy programs recommended include:

•    Massage and Myofascial Release
•    Ice or heat to eliminate muscle spasm and inflammation
•    Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
•    Traction
•    Ultrasound to treat soft tissue injuries
•    Rehabilitation
•    Injury prevention

Massage, heat/ice modalities, TENS, traction and ultrasound are grouped under passive physical therapy modalities as these are provided to the patient, without the patient’s active involvement. Patients may also be asked to take physical therapy exercises such as stretching and strengthening exercises that will help improve and maintain mobility and strength. These types of exercises and modalities such as low impact aerobic conditioning that includes walking, cycling and swimming are active physical therapy programs. It is best that stretching and strengthening exercises are done under the guidance of a trained physical therapist.

Follow the Instructions of Your Physical Therapist

A reliable pain management center would focus on enabling patients to recuperate quickly and get back to their normal life. To provide efficient treatment to patients, such a center would have the latest physical therapy equipment and technological advancements. A healthy interaction between patients and physical therapists is of course necessary to ensure positive results for the treatment. It is important that patients follow all instructions of the physical therapist religiously. Even after the physical therapy treatment is over, the physical therapists at physical therapy rehabilitation center would offer guidelines regarding injury prevention and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.