What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a health care specialty involved with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders
of the musculoskeletal system. The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to restore maximal functional independence to each individual
patient. To achieve this goal, physical such as exercise, heat, cold, electricity, and massage are utilized.
What is a Physical Therapist?
Physical
therapists are licensed professionals who work with people that have sustained disabilities, impairments, or limitations in their
overall physical function.
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When Is Physical Therapy Needed?
Physical therapy can be helpful even in a child's very early years. A doctor might prescribe physical
therapy if your child is coping with a wide range of health issues, which can include:
- developmental delays
- cerebral palsy
- traumatic
brain injuries
- muscular dystrophy
- chromosome disorders
- orthopedic injuries
- heart problems
- spina bifida or spinal cord injuries
- fetal
exposure to alcohol or drugs
- acute trauma
- limb deficiencies
- muscle weakness
- brachial plexus injuries
- muscle or joint pain
What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
Physical therapists typically evaluate a patient to figure out the most effective way to improve
mobility and relieve any pain. During the first visit, the physical therapist will likely do the following things:
- observe and analyze
the way your child moves and plays
- observe and modify how your child walks (a child's gait)
- identify the source of your child's pain
and provide pain relief
- provide instructions for home exercise programs
- identify potential posture and alignment problems
- consult
with other medical professionals and school personnel
- recommend a safe time to return to sports
Once the physical therapist has identified
the problem, he or she will create a treatment plan. That plan might include:
- strength training
- stretching exercises to improve muscle
flexibility
- balance and coordination activities to decrease falls and injuries
- adaptive play activities to allow a child to participate
in school or recreational activities such as T-ball or basketball
- aquatic (water) therapy to strengthen weak muscles
- safety and prevention
programs
- heat, cold, electrical stimulation, massage, and ultrasound therapies to improve circulation around injuries