What patients might benefit most from physical therapy?
Physical therapy can be used in a number of ways to promote healing and rebuild strength and balance. Patients who could benefit from physical therapy include (but aren’t limited to) those with:
- Frequent falls
- Neurological diseases
- Traumatic injuries
- Reduced mobility
- Generalized weakness
- Joint pain
- Recent hospitalizations
- Recent amputations
- New assistive devices
What is a PTA?
Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) typically see the patient more often than the physical therapist.
PTAs are trained to take the patient through the exercises, stretches, etc., laid out in the care plan the physical therapist wrote. The physical therapist will conduct periodic visits to check on the patient’s progress and ensure the PTA is following the care plan as intended.
What physical therapy does
Physical therapists work with people who have experienced an injury or disease that has affected their movement and range of motion.
The therapist examines a patient and then creates a recovery plan. Often, they focus on treatments reducing the need for surgery and prescriptive drugs. Physical therapists use a combination of exercise, stretches, hands-on techniques, and equipment to restore function or relieve pain.
By watching patients stand, walk, and perform tasks (as well as listening to their concerns), physical therapists
determine the patient’s level of function. From that, they will design an individualized care plan and reevaluate as necessary.
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Original Medicare covers 100 percent of the cost of services.
