I added this page because not many people really know what a physical therapist does. A comment I often hear in the clinic from first-time physical therapy patients is ”I had no idea what to expect. I thought you were just going to teach me a couple of exercises.” While it is true that I am probably going to give them exercises, I am also going to do a lot more than that.
What do we do?
Physical therapists, aka physiotherapists, are experts in movement and aid people in recovering normal movements and abilities after injury or other medical problems. Physical therapists are now required to earn a doctorate degree or DPT (doctorate of physical therapy). We can also specialize in different areas of medicine just like physicians. There are 10 different areas a physical therapist can specialize in:
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary
- Geriatric
- Orthopedic
- Neurology
- Pediatric
- Oncology
- Women’s health
- Electrophysiologic
- Sports
- Wound management
The Orthopedic Physical Therapist
I am an orthopedic physical therapist and have practiced in
outpatient orthopedics since 2009. Orthopedics encompasses the musculoskeletal system which is the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. My job consists of much more that teaching stretches and other exercises. I evaluate the way people walk and run. I mobilize and manipulate joints and soft tissue. I analyze joint movements and the activations of specific muscles. I then prescribe exercises to aide in restoring normal mobility and strength based on what I found when assessing the patient. Most of the time I have the patients do the majority of their exercises at home so I can spend most of the appointment on assessment and manual therapy.
Some conditions that I commonly treat include
- Plantar fasciitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Low back pain
- ACL tear
- Ankle sprain
- Hip tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
- And so much more
The Helpful Physical Therapist
I really believe that everyone should have a physical therapist that they know and trust just like people have a primary care physician. We are a great resource in helping minor aches and pains from becoming major disruptions in one’s life. I have seen many of my patients multiple times and they feel very comfortable coming to see me with any of their musculoskeletal complaints. I also feel very comfortable in directing them to other health care professionals if their issue is out of my scope of practice or if the patient would benefit from treatment from multiple health care professionals.