Physical Therapy: It’s Not Just for Rehabilitation
If you think physical therapy is only about rehabilitation after surgery or recovering from an accident, think again. For the vast majority, seeing a physical therapist should be about prevention, routine assessment, and staying well.
"We’re the best-kept secret in health care," said Sharon Dunn, the past president of the American Physical Therapy Association.
The Prevention Message
Roger Herr, the current president of the APTA, and Gammon Earhart, associate dean for physical therapy at the medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, echoed Dunn’s prevention message in separate interviews with the AP.
"We need to change our image by getting out of our silos, out of our brick-and-mortar clinics," said Dunn, who teaches at LSU.
The Image of Physical Therapy
The image of the profession tends to be one-dimensional. You’ve had knee surgery, your back keeps acting up, or you’re injured and you’ve been referred by a physician to a physical therapist. You go several times, get an evaluation, and you’re discharged with exercises to do and advice about how to move more efficiently.
"That’s a big chunk of what physical therapists do," Earhart said. "But I think a lot of people don’t understand. They think when they have a major medical problem that a physical therapist is going to massage them until they feel better. That’s not what it is."
Follow the Dental Model
Many in the profession favor thinking of physical therapists the way we do dentists; patients make appointments for regular exams.
"Even if you’re not having any problem, you go in and have everything checked out," Earhart said. "If there’s any problems that seem to be brewing, you head them off at the pass."
Think Prevention
You can now visit a physical therapist in all 50 states without needing a referral from a physician or surgeon. That’s the good news. The bad news for an annual exam might be the price tag. These preventative visits are not usually covered by insurance.
The Hips for Ballet — or Not
We are all built differently with variations in hip architecture and so forth. It might be useful to evaluate children early to decide what sports or activities suit them. Testing beforehand to avoid a problem later is the perfect job for a physical therapist.
"If we screened kids as they were choosing sports and said this sport is probably not the right kind of stress for the way you are put together, it could save a lot of pain and problems down the line," Earhart said. "Maybe they don’t have the hips for ballet."
Fear of Falling
Falling — and the fear of falling — is debilitating for the aging population. Herr said physical therapists can help with relatively simple interventions.
"You want to show people they can get back up if they fall," Herr said. "And once they know they can do it, it gives them confidence and it can help reduce the fear of falling. One of the risks of falling is that people don’t do anything, so you don’t move and therefore you become more out of shape and not as functional."
Issues with Weight
Earhart estimated that perhaps 50% of physical therapy patients are there because of issues related to being overweight.
"Somebody does not have to be morbidly obese for their weight to be affecting their movement," she said. "The more weight somebody is carrying, the higher the loads are on their joints."
Conclusion
Physical therapy is not just for rehabilitation; it’s about prevention, routine assessment, and staying well. By adopting a similar approach to dental care, regular check-ups can help prevent problems and keep you healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a referral from a physician to see a physical therapist?
A: No, you can now visit a physical therapist in all 50 states without needing a referral from a physician or surgeon.
Q: How often should I see a physical therapist?
A: Many experts recommend annual visits, similar to regular dental exams, to prevent problems and stay healthy.
Q: What are the benefits of seeing a physical therapist?
A: Physical therapy can help prevent injuries, reduce the risk of falling, and improve overall health and well-being.
Q: Is physical therapy only for people with injuries or medical conditions?
A: No, physical therapy is for anyone who wants to stay healthy and prevent problems.
