Physical therapists devote their careers to helping people recover their ability to move and function normally. They work in all sorts of settings, from hospitals to private offices and even on college campuses. They provide care to patients with a very wide variety of injuries and circumstances. Their patients can literally be any age, from babies to seniors. A physical therapist’s goals sometimes center around returning function to one specific body part, while other times they seek to give patients greater mobility in several areas of the body.Physical therapists earn either a Master’s or Doctorate degree. During their training they learn about all of the muscles, bones and nerves in the body and how they work together to help people function on a daily basis. To put it simply, anyone may need a physical therapist at some point in their life.

What might make me need physical therapy?

Many medical concerns can be addressed by a physical therapist. Their knowledge is useful to patients who have suffered injury through physical accidents, chronic development of a condition and the onset of cardiovascular complications.

• Stroke- After suffering a stroke, patients are often left without many functional abilities. 30% of patients are left unable to care for themselves. Physical therapists work to help patients walk, talk and use their arms again. Physical therapy helps stroke victims regain their independence.
• Sports Injury- Sports are fun and a great source of exercise. They also provide opportunities for bodily injury. Physical therapists can help an athlete–or a weekend warrior–recover from an injury. They can show the patient how to properly exercise the injured body part in order to bring about a full recovery. If this is not done, many people will resume playing sports when they think that they are better. Eventually the injury reemerges and causes more damage.
• Car Accident- Car accidents are the cause of all sorts of injuries. Unfortunately spinal cord injuries are among them. Physical therapists can assess patients with spinal cord injuries and decide how to best help them. While paralysis is unavoidable after some car accidents, physical therapists can schedule treatment and oversee recovery for many victims of spinal cord injury. They can also help combat the effects of whiplash and other car accident related injuries.
• Body Pain- Regardless of whether the pain is in a patients’ back, knees or shoulders, physical therapists can help. They assess whether the pain is a muscle problem or due to something else like arthritis. They work with patients as individuals, devising exercise plans and scheduling the pace of treatment according to the patients’ needs. By following the advice of a physical therapist, it is entirely possible to reduce if not eliminate chronic body pain.

These are not the only times when a physical therapist is needed. Physical therapists can be of assistance anytime that a patient needs help regaining function or mobility. They are experts in getting people back into the swing of things.

If you would like to find out more about our physical therapy program visit us online. If you have any medical questions or concerns, call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-866-442-2362 and ask one of our experts. For more information on PGH’s Physical Therapy Department, please call 954-513-6080.