What is a Physical Therapist?

Discovering Physical Therapy
It's an important question, and the answer will help you understand how a physical therapist can improve your ability to move and function, while also benefiting your general fitness and health.

Physical therapists are experts in "the science of healing and the art of caring." This is what that means:

The Science of Healing
Patients and physicians are demanding the talents of physical therapists for conservative management of a wide variety of conditions. In many cases, patients are being sent to physical therapy instead of surgery.

Physical therapists help people with orthopedic conditions such as low back pain or osteoporosis; joint and soft tissue injuries such as fractures and dislocations; neurologic conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Parkinson's disease; connective tissue injuries such as burns or wounds; cardiopulmonary and circulatory conditions such as congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and workplace injuries including repetitive stress disorders and sports injuries.

Physical therapists practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.

Some physical therapists seek advanced certification in a clinical specialty, such as orthopedic, neurologic, cardiovascular and pulmonary, pediatric, geriatric, sports physical therapy, or electrophysiological testing and measurement.

The Art of Caring
The individualized, "hands on" approach that characterizes physical therapist care is highly valued by patients. When a physical therapist sees a patient for the first time, he or she examines that individual and develops a plan of care that promotes the ability to move, reduces pain, restores function, and prevents disability. The physical therapist and the patient then work side-by-side to make sure that the goals of the treatment plan are met.

Therapeutic exercise and functional training are the cornerstones of physical therapist treatment. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, physical therapists may "manipulate" a joint (that is, perform certain types of passive movements at the end of the patient's range of motion) or massage a muscle to promote proper movement and function. Physical therapists may use other techniques such as electrotherapy, ultrasound (high-frequency waves that produce heat), hot packs, and ice in addition to other treatments when appropriate.

Physical therapists will also work with individuals to prevent loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

It is important to know that physical therapy can be provided only by qualified physical therapists or by physical therapist assistants working under the supervision of a physical therapist.

Reference:
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Consumers1&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=39568

More About Physical Therapists
Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.

PTs must have a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure examination. The minimum educational requirement is a master's degree, yet most educational programs now offer the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree.

Physical therapists practice in hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, homes, education or research centers, schools, hospices, corporate or industrial health centers, athletic facilities, and other settings.

Reference:
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Choosing_a_PT1&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=48&ContentID=31448

 

What can a Physical Therapist do for me?

A Physical Therapist can assist with relieving pain, remediate or prevent impairments, improve strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance and enhance function, fitness and well-being. A Physical Therapist will utilize multiple treatment modalities necessary to achieve these goals. 

Some forms of treatment at MOSS Rehabilitation Center include:

Manual Therapy/Joint specific mobilization - relating to, or involving the hands; requiring or using physical skills or energy; work done by hand and not by a machine. At MOSS Rehabilitation Center we focus on restoring normal joint mobility and biomechanics via hands on approach. Joint mobilization is a gentle treatment approach used to restore motion. Traction - Traction is a very effective treatment option for cervical and lumbar conditions. Traction can be performed either manually (via the hands) or with state of the art equipment such as the Chattanooga TX-1 traction device available at MOSS Rehabilitation Center. Therapeutic Exercise - A systematic implementation of specific exercises prescribed by a Physical Therapist with the goal of improving range of motion, flexibility, strength and joint stabilization. In addition to appropriate exercise program planning, the physical therapist monitors the patient's response to exercise, re-assesses initial findings, and modifies the exercise program when necessary. Sports Rehabilitation - At MOSS Rehabilitation Center we understand the importance of returning to your favorite athletic activity. We will design a program specific to your sport which will allow you to return to play. Strength and Conditioning Programs - Whether you are recovering from an injury or just looking to improve your speed, strength or coordination we can design an exercise program specific to your needs. Return to Work Programs - We understand the importance of getting back in shape before returning to work. Many times general Physical Therapy is not enough to prepare you for the demands that your job will place upon you. Returns to work programs include work conditioning with job simulation to prepare you for your return to the work environment.

 

What does ScD stand for?

The ScD degree is a terminal professional degree that aims at raising the clinician far above entry level. Several different institutions have adopted the ScD in several different professional disciplines, such as engineering, law, and public health, to provide terminal education with a professional emphasis versus a pure research emphasis gained through a traditional PhD. The ScD, while providing similar academic rigor to a PhD, emphasizes professional development and expertise in comparison to the more traditional academic emphases in PhD programs. 

On the other hand, the Transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy (tDPT) simply pars the candidate up to the new entry level. The ScD at TTUHSC focuses on several areas including clinical expertise in musculoskeletal diagnostics and manual therapy, academic expertise in applied science, and professional expertise in either research or teaching. These levels of expertise are not attended to in the vast majority of tDPT's. As a consequence, the ScD at TTUHSC takes considerably longer to complete versus a tDPT. If a person is interested in a rapid approach to credentialing up to the new entry level (tDPT) or gaining a terminal degree with a pure research and academic emphasis (PhD), the ScD is not for that person. If he or she is interested in developing clinical and professional expertise accompanied by a terminal professional degree and more expertise in clinical research and or teaching, then the ScD is the best choice.

What does FAAOMPT stand for? And what is a “Fellow”?

Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)
"Fellow" status in the AAOMPT is both a membership classification and a professional credential. As a professional credential, a "Fellow" in AAOMPT is an international recognition of competence and expertise in the practice of orthopaedic manual physical therapy by a physical therapist licensed in the USA. To achieve the Fellow credential, a physical therapist must complete a credentialed fellowship program in orthopaedic manual physical therapy or demonstrate the equivalent level of competence by successfully passing a portfolio review process and oral/practical examination. The "Fellow" is a physical therapist who has demonstrated advanced clinical, analytical, and hands-on skills in the treatment of musculoskeletal (orthopaedic) disorders. Fellows serve their patients and the public by demonstrating excellence in clinical practice, education, and research.

Reference:
http://www.aaompt.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=10

 

Do I need a referral for Physical Therapy?

Yes and No. Currently in the state of Texas Physical Therapist are allowed to perform an evaluation without a referral from a physician however a referral is required to begin treatment. A Physical Therapist may also render treatment to a previous patient for the same condition if the patient returns to the therapist within a year of the prior episode. If you have questions regarding a referral the staff at MOSS Rehabilitation Center will be happy to answer them for you. 

Traction vs. Decompression?

Traction therapy is utilized to relieve pressure on the disc and nerves of the spine. It can be performed either manually (with the therapist hands) or mechanically (with a machine). Recently “decompression therapy” has received a lot of press touting its effects for spinal pain related to disc herniations and “pinched nerves”. The FDA has approved several devices designed for spinal decompression including the unit utilized at MOSS Rehabilitation Center. 

Decompression therapy is another term used to describe traction.