Physical therapy is often thought to be the treatment for physical injuries to help patients regain mobility and strength. While that is true, it is just one aspect of physical therapy. Physical therapy utilizes a wide range of force and movement to promote mobility, function, and quality of life. A lot of physical therapy is direct force on the parts of the body being addressed. However, there is also a wide range of physical therapy equipment that can be utilized.
Physical therapy equipment can enhance a physical therapy visits. It is often used to push the limits during therapy as well as to get the muscles warmed up prior to a rehabilitation appointment. Physical therapy equipment can also be used at home between visits to keep the progress moving forward and to reduce the total time needed for physical therapy.
Depending on the situation, physical therapy equipment can be obtained with a prescription from the physical therapist. Patients are trained on how to use the equipment to improve their rehabilitation, and equally important how not to injure themselves further.
In addition to rehabilitation after an injury or physical trauma, physical therapy can also be used to alleviate repetitive work injuries like tennis elbow, mother?s thumb, and rotatory cup soreness. It can be used to help with issues related to balance or strength. It can also be used to help an amputee adjust to the change and learn increased mobility.
Doctors will often prescribe or recommend physical therapy if it is warranted, and most insurances will cover it due to its proven benefits, as well as the ability to avoid surgical options through physical therapy. Physical therapy clinics are fairly common. If your primary physician cannot connect you with on or with one that can work with your schedule, you can check the doctors directory provided through your insurance to find one on your own.
Immediately following an injury or traumatic event, people often find themselves in an emergency room or urgent care center. However, depending on the injury or underlying problem, there is only so much an emergency room or urgent care physician can do. Beyond immediate care, physical therapy is often a long slow road you must take to get back to where you were.
Many injuries have the great potential of getting worst if physical therapy is not pursued and followed through with. For example, there are an estimated 25,000 ankle sprains each day in the United States. 80% of those are the result of inversion or the inward rolling of the ankle. Physical therapy can not only alleviate the injury, but can teach you how to avoid ankle sprains in the future.
