The Facts on Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is most often prescribed forOne of the most common ailments for those
patients with permanent disabilities, recoveringseeking physical therapy is back pain. According to
from a major injury or accident, or sufferingthe American Chiropractic Association, 31 million
from conditions such as arthritis or lower backAmericans experience low-back pain at any give
pain. Some diseases or conditions can impairtime. It is one of the most common reasons for
patients to a degree that a physical therapistmissed work and is the second most common
must teach the patient to function with thereason for visits to the doctor's office.
limitations of the condition. Under the guidance ofA series of complicated structure of bones, joints,
a therapist, patients can regain a major share ofligaments, and muscles, the back can easily
their mobility, achieve flexibility, and acquireexperience a sprain or ruptured disk. Sometimes
balance and coordination. At its very core, physicalthe simplest of movements, such as bending over
therapy can help significant improve the overallto pick a pencil up off of the floor, can have
fitness and health of a patient.painful results. Poor posture, obesity, and stress
As with any treatment, the effectiveness ofcan also cause or complicate back pain.
physical therapy requires the full participation andWhile there is no single type of physical therapy
adherence to the physical therapy treatment.which can alleviate chronic back pain, it can offer
Often, patients become proficient in their exercisea world of benefits. It can also prevent further
regimen and make the assumption their recoveryproblems before they arise. Overall, physical
can be accomplished without the support andtherapy can increase function and improve the
guidance of their physical therapist. Such decisionsquality of life for someone suffering from back
can actually cause more damage to the existingpain.
injuries. True physical therapy requires time andRather than promising an instant "cure all," physical
patience to achieve the best results.therapy teacher patients how to manage their
Monitoring a patient's progress, trained therapistsown pain. Patients learn to cope with the pain
can correct any errors in posturing or practice bywhile minimizing the impact of the pain in their
the patient. Therapists will often makelives. The best results for physical therapy come
adjustments to the exercise program as theas a result of patients who can take control of
patient improves in health and strength. Completetheir condition and not expect a miracle cure.
recovery is achieved through diligence, compliance,Increasing function and improving quality of life
and dedication, which requires continued interactivethrough movement is the heart of PT, according
between the patient and therapist.to Dr. Scott Fisherman, Chief of the Division of
During treatment, a physical therapist may use aPain Medicine and Associate Professor of
combination of passive and active methods toAnesthesiology at the University of California,
bring about pain relief. These include heat/iceDavis. After gaining a good perspective on a
packs, ultrasound, low-impact aerobic conditioning,patient's overall health, attitude, and daily routine,
and stretching, to name a few. TENS therapy isthe therapist can judge a patient's progress and
also an effective tool to manage pain. The small,control over his or her own pain.
battery-operated device delivers low-voltageTogether, the patient and therapist will map out a
electrical currents through the skin via electrodesprogram of activities designed to address each of
placed near the source of pain. The electricitythe impairments caused by the pain. The best sign
from the electrodes stimulates nerves in theof success of physical therapy is a noticeable
affected area, sending signals to the brain thatimprovement in a patient's daily activities and the
"scramble" normal pain perception.ability to reclaim a normal routine.