| If you have recently had an injury related to | | | | People frequently seek out the help of a physical |
| work, a fall, sports, or an accident, or have been | | | | therapist for back and knee injuries, shoulder and |
| hospitalized for a heart related condition, you may | | | | neck pain, sprains and pulled muscles, as well as |
| be wondering if and how physical therapy can help | | | | hip fractures. In addition, physical therapy has also |
| you. While many states require a physician's | | | | been shown to be beneficial to pregnant women, |
| referral in order to see a licensed physical | | | | as well as those who have just had a baby or |
| therapist, others do not, but it is a requirement of | | | | others recovering from surgery. Older people who |
| a number of insurance carriers. However, while | | | | are also recovering from a stroke are also |
| your doctor may recommend a physical therapy | | | | frequently referred to physical therapists to regain |
| center for your treatment, it is always important | | | | the use of certain muscle groups and recover |
| to keep in mind that the physical therapist that | | | | function that is lost in many areas. |
| you see is always your choice first. | | | | There are many different types of physical |
| When do you need physical therapy? In order to | | | | therapeutics that can help a wide variety of |
| answer this question, it is first important to | | | | people from just about any group. For those with |
| understand what it is that a physical therapist | | | | back injuries, hip fractures, and those with other |
| does. A person who does physical therapy is a | | | | types of broken bones, an orthopedic physical |
| medical professional that specializes in muscle | | | | therapist can help promote recovery, reduce the |
| movements and exercises that improve posture | | | | risk of injury to the same area again, and also |
| and stability, as well as strengthen specific muscle | | | | reduce healing time. These kinds of physical |
| groups in order to promote recovery and healing, | | | | therapists also help with a number of sports |
| as well as reduce the risk of accidental injury. | | | | related injuries. |
| Chiropractic Physicians are licensed to perform | | | | For older patients, geriatric physical therapeutics |
| physical therapy in many states. | | | | can aid in recovery from a stroke or heart |
| In deciding whether or not you actually need | | | | attack, as well as help strengthen bones affected |
| physical therapy, your first line of recourse will | | | | by osteoporosis, improve incontinence, and |
| always be your Chiropractor or general | | | | promote better balance. For younger patients and |
| practitioner. If you have recently been treated for | | | | children, pediatric physical therapy can help |
| an accident or condition, they may recommend | | | | develop motor skills in those with developmental |
| physical therapy to you in your recovery. | | | | delays and improve function in those with |
| However, others who have had the same kind of | | | | musculoskeletal disorders such as spina bifida or |
| injury multiple times, or have found that recovery | | | | cerebral palsy. In addition, neurological physical |
| is not progressing on its own, may also opt to | | | | therapy can help those with brain injuries or other |
| see a physical therapist in order to promote | | | | neurological disorders, as well as those recovering |
| greater improvement. | | | | from a stroke. |