Physical Therapy: When Physical Therapy Can Help

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When Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy and recovery from injury

Physical therapy can help you recover from an injury and avoid future injury by reducing pain in the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments), improving flexibility and function, and building muscle strength. Your physical therapist can also evaluate how you perform an activity and make suggestions for doing the activity in a way that is less likely to result in an injury. Following are examples of injuries for which physical therapy is helpful:

• Tennis elbow
• Plantar fasciitis
• Back pain
• Meniscus tear

Physical therapy and chronic health conditions

Physical therapy can help you live more easily with chronic or ongoing health conditions. Your physical therapist will work with you to establish your goals, then create a program of educational, range-of-motion, strengthening, and endurance activities to meet your needs. Here are some examples of chronic conditions that may be helped by physical therapy:

• Spinal stenosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Parkinson's disease
• Temporomandibular problems
• Multiple sclerosis
• Vertigo

Physical therapy and health conditions requiring a rehabilitation team approach

Some conditions involve several body systems and can lead to significant disability. These conditions—such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and major cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) problems—are usually addressed by a team of health professionals. The team can include doctors; nurses; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; psychologists; and social workers, among others. Physical therapists are a critical part of this team, addressing the issues of range of motion, strength, endurance, mobility (walking, going up and down stairs, getting in and out of a bed or chair), and safety. The physical therapist may also get you the equipment you need, such as a walker or wheelchair, and make sure you can use the equipment appropriately. Following are some examples of health conditions that commonly involve a rehabilitation team:

• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Stroke rehabilitation

Physical therapy and significant health conditions of childhood

Physical therapists also work with children who have major injuries or health conditions. In addition to addressing the usual issues of range of motion, strength, endurance, and mobility, the therapist also considers the child's special growth and developmental needs.

Treatment is often provided in the school or in a facility just for children. The way physical therapy and other services are delivered in the schools varies among the states. Talk to your child's health professional, school, or your local health department if you think your child may qualify for evaluation or treatment services.

Cerebral palsy is an example of a childhood health condition that is usually addressed in part by physical therapy. Other injuries and conditions include brain injury, muscular dystrophy, and arthritis.

Last updated:	March 08, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC