musculoskeletal dysfunction, including back pain, rotator cuff tears, and temporomandibular joint disorders.conditions that affect the hand, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and post-myocardial infarction heart failure.

Some conditions that could benefit from physical therapy are: Physical therapists can provide supplementary treatment to a wide variety of medical conditions, depending on their specialty.Īlthough physical therapists may not directly and independently treat the medical condition other than pure musculoskeletal conditions, they work to optimize recovery or educate a person on how to optimize their movement patterns.

Light therapy: This involves using special lights and lasers to treat certain medical conditions.Ĭommon conditions physical therapy may help with.

Heat, moist heat, and cold therapy : These may provide benefits to a range of conditions.

By contrast, neuromuscular electrical stimulation works to stimulate muscular motor units to improve muscular engagement. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces pain.

Electrical stimulation (e-stim): There are two types of e-stim.

This can decrease the presence of inflammation.

Iontophoresis: This uses an electrical current to deliver certain medications, such as topical steroids.

give self-management recommendations, including exercises a person can do at homeĪpart from physical manipulation, physical therapy treatment may involve:.

perform physical therapy treatment and intervention.

give a clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care with short- and long-term goals.

conduct a physical exam and evaluation of a person’s movement, flexibility, muscle and joint motion, and performance, including finding out about their health history.

Some patients are referred to a physical therapist by a doctor, while others seek therapy themselves.Īccording to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, a physical therapist receives training that enables them to: Physical therapy may be a standalone option, or it may support other treatments. A physical therapist helps take care of patients in all phases of healing, from initial diagnosis to restorative and preventive stages of recovery.

Phase ten therapy use