What to Expect During Physical Therapy | Peak Physical Therapy

Physical therapists aid patients in all phases of the healing process, beginning at the initial diagnosis and lasting through the restorative and preventative stages of recovery. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) defines physical therapists as “health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.”

What to Expect

When a patient visits a physical therapist, they can expect to undergo a physical exam and evaluation, including health history and certain testing procedures. These procedures can include evaluation of movement and flexibility, posture, and muscle and joint motion and performance. Patients will receive a clinical diagnosis as well as a plan of care and long term goals. Based on the physical therapist’s evaluation, the patient will receive treatment and intervention to aid in the healing of their diagnosis. The patient will also be given self-management recommendations.

Common Conditions

Physical therapists are educated in treating a variety of conditions, depending on their specialty. Some common conditions that are often treated by physical therapy may include:

  • Sports-related injuries, such as tennis elbow and concussions
  • Post-operative conditions, like total hip and knee replacements
  • Neurological conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and vestibular dysfunction
  • Women’s health and pelvic floor dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence

Benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can benefit patients by allowing them to avoid surgery, improve mobility and balance, and manage age-related medical problems. It can also aid in the recovery from injury or trauma as well as from stroke or paralysis. Sports therapists can help athletes maximize their performance by strengthening specific parts of the body and using the muscles in new ways.

Peak Physical Therapy

Our South Shore Physical Therapy practice specializes in physical therapy including many specialty programs including return-to-sports, vestibular, pelvic health, post-concussion, aquatics, and more. Locations include Norwell, MA, Scituate, MA, Quincy, MA, Hanover, MA, Pembroke, MA, and Braintree, MA. Our specialized programs combined with state-of-the-art facilities allow us to meet the unique needs of our local patients and achieve the fastest results. If you are unsure whether this type of treatment can help you, we offer a no-obligation FREE injury screening. Click here for more information.

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