Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

What Is Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation?

As the name suggests, physical therapy and rehabilitation is focused on relieving physical pain, regaining strength and mobility, and rehabilitating or restoring an individual to an optimal physical state. Of course, the first step is a proper diagnosis that identifies the root cause of the problem. There are a number of different types of physical therapy, whether you’re recovering from a sports injury, fall, auto accident, long illness, stroke, or surgery.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation services include:

• Functional restoration and reconditioning
• Therapeutic stretching and strengthening
• Post-surgery rehabilitation
• Reconditioning for musculoskeletal and neurological disorders
• Rehabilitation for spinal disorders
• Post-accident rehabilitation
• Sports rehabilitation
• Manual therapy
• Modalities
• Customized rehabilitation programs

Why Is Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Important?

On the surface, physical therapy and rehabilitation is about restoring stability, strength, mobility, flexibility and balance after an injury, accident or illness. It can help you prevent injuries and manage age-related health problems such as joint pain, arthritis and osteoporosis. In many cases, it can help you avoid surgery. But physical therapy is about so much more than being able to function without pain. It’s about quality of life.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation is about returning to activities you enjoy with the people you love. It’s about getting back to work and being productive. It’s about maintaining your independence. It’s about building confidence and having a positive outlook. It’s about reducing reliance on prescription pain medication. Physical therapy can even help some patients overcome depression.

What Conditions Can Be Treated with Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation?

While patients are often referred to physical therapists to address a specific injury or condition, patients can also seek out physical therapists on their own. Physical therapy and rehabilitation is a critical component of the integrative healthcare model. It would be virtually impossible to list every injury or condition that can be treated with physical therapy and rehabilitation, so we’ve provided categories of conditions with a few examples:

• Injury and accident recovery
  • Falls
  • Auto accidents
  • Sports injuries
• Musculoskeletal dysfunction
  • Back pain
  • Torn rotator cuff
  • TMJ disorder
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Recovery from surgery
  • Hip and knee replacement
  • Broken bones
  • Torn muscles, ligaments and tendons
• Neurological conditions
  • Stroke
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Brain trauma
• Cardiopulmonary conditions
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Cystic fibrosis
• Women’s health
  • Recovery from childbirth
  • Prenatal and postpartum therapy
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Lymphedema

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries

We understand how frustrating it can be for athletes to stop participating in their favorite sport due to injury. The clinical team at Natural Healthcare Center includes certified sports chiropractors with extensive experience in treating athletes at the youth, college and professional levels. You’ll have access to physical therapists who specialize in the recognition, management and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, working closely with coaches and trainers to monitor your recovery.

How Does Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Fit into Our Integrative Model of Care?

Physical therapy and rehabilitation can be a standalone treatment option for dozens of conditions. We typically combine physical therapy with other services to help people from all walks of life rediscover what “healthy” feels like.

Licensed physical therapists closely collaborate with chiropractors, clinical nutritionists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and podiatrists to diagnose the root cause of your condition. We recognize the downstream effects that a leg injury, for example, can have across your body. This is why we develop a personalized treatment plan that focuses not only on relieving pain and discomfort in a targeted area, but also bringing balance to your entire body.

Did You Know…

In the U.S., physical therapy was originally intended to be a profession for women when the Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association was formed in 1921. The following year, the name was changed to the American Physiotherapy Association and men were allowed to join. During the 1940s, the name was changed again to its current moniker, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Although physical therapy has only been recognized in our country for about 100 years, ancient writings show physical therapy techniques are thousands of years old.

The First Step: Your Complimentary Consultation

If you’ve had an injury or accident, you’re having surgery or trying to avoid surgery, or you’re struggling with a chronic condition, schedule a complimentary consultation at Natural Healthcare Center. Bring your healthcare records, diagnostic imaging, test results, prescriptions, and nutritional supplements. Dr. Proodian will review your records, discuss your history, answer your questions and offer recommendations to address your specific condition – all at no charge.

Contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Independently owned & operated by West End Physical Therapy