Are you a beginner in physical therapy? Are you looking for guidance on how to get started? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about physical therapy, from what it is and why it’s important to the various types of physical therapy treatments available and how to find a qualified physical therapist.
Dr. Robert Stravinsky has his doctorate in ​​outpatient orthopedics and has presented his academic practicum research at the APTA annual conference. So, if you’re ready to learn about physical therapy for beginners, let’s get started!
Contents
- What Is Physical Therapy?
- Why Is Physical Therapy Important?
- Types Of Physical Therapy Treatments
- The Scholarship Fund Initiated by Him
- Finding A Qualified Physical Therapist
- How Do Physical Therapists Help Patients Reclaim Their Mobility and Independence?
- Exercises Physical Therapists Recommend for Back Pain Relief
- Conclusion:
What Is Physical Therapy?
![](https://thefrisky.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/What-Is-Physical-Therapy-780x529.jpg)
Source: mdbonedocs.com
Physical therapy is a type of treatment that focuses on restoring movement and function to an affected area of the body through exercise, stretching, massage, heat and cold therapies, electrical stimulation, and more. It can help reduce pain, improve mobility and flexibility and restore strength in patients who have suffered any kind of injury or illness.
Why Is Physical Therapy Important?
- Physical therapy is an essential part of any healing regimen, as it can strengthen muscles and improve flexibility in joints that have been weakened or destroyed due to illness or injury. It helps your body heal faster, so you can get back on the road to recovery sooner rather than later.
- It can also help prevent future injuries by improving balance and coordination, which can lead to improved posture as well as increased endurance during activities such as sports or exercise.
- Lastly, physical therapy can help reduce pain associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Types Of Physical Therapy Treatments
![](https://thefrisky.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Types-Of-Physical-Therapy-Treatments--780x520.jpeg)
Source: pdhtherapy.com
There are many different types of physical therapy treatments available depending on your needs:
- Exercise-based programs – These types of programs typically involve low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming that help strengthens muscles while increasing flexibility and range of motion.
- Manual therapy – This type of treatment includes techniques such as massage or stretching that are used to reduce pain by relaxing tense muscles or improving the range of motion in joints that may be stiff or restricted due to injury or illness.
- Heat/cold therapies – Heat therapies involve applying either hot packs or warm paraffin wax directly onto the skin while cold therapies involve applying ice packs directly onto the skin, both of which can be used to reduce swelling and inflammation caused by injury or illness.
- Electrical stimulation – This type of treatment involves using electrodes placed on the skin that stimulate underlying muscle tissue, which can help reduce pain associated with certain conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
The Scholarship Fund Initiated by Him
In an effort to ease the financial burden of healthcare students, Dr. Robert Stravinsky has created a $1,000 scholarship award. This funding opportunity is open to any student who demonstrates outstanding academic performance and community involvement with his or her contributions to the healthcare field.
Dr. Stravinsky understands that pursuing a career in healthcare can be financially and emotionally draining, and he aims to support today’s future generation of healthcare providers by offering this generous scholarship fund.
In addition to highlighting this need, he hopes that by awarding this scholarship, he will provide much-needed relief and encouragement to those aspiring to become healthcare providers. If you qualify for the award, take full advantage of it – apply now!
Finding A Qualified Physical Therapist
![](https://thefrisky.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Finding-A-Qualified-Physical-Therapist--780x563.jpg)
Source: coloradophysicaltherapynetwork.com
It’s important when looking for a qualified physical therapist that they have not only earned their bachelor’s degree but also possess a Doctoral Degree (DPT) from an accredited school with experience in outpatient orthopedic care like Dr. Robert Stravinsky does.
When searching for a qualified physical therapist, make sure they have knowledge in all facets, including manual therapy techniques along with other modalities like ultrasound & iontophoresis discussed above if needed based on initial evaluation findings plus possess experience treating common problems within their field while utilizing evidence-based practice protocols when caring for patients so they receive optimal outcomes during their course of care with them!
How Do Physical Therapists Help Patients Reclaim Their Mobility and Independence?
Assessment and Treatment Planning
The first step in helping any patient recover is to assess their condition and develop an individualized treatment plan. This includes identifying any areas of concern, assessing their range of motion, and identifying any potential risks associated with certain activities or movements. The therapists also need to identify any goals that the patient has so that they can create a plan to achieve them in a safe and effective manner.
Restoring Strength & Flexibility
Once an initial assessment is complete, they can begin designing a program that focuses on restoring strength and flexibility. This usually involves exercises that target specific muscle groups or joints in order to restore normal movement patterns.
Incorporating stretching exercises into the program can help improve the range of motion as well as reduce pain or discomfort caused by decreased flexibility.
Exercises Physical Therapists Recommend for Back Pain Relief
![](https://thefrisky.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Exercises-Physical-Therapists-Recommend-for-Back-Pain-Relief-780x520.jpg)
Source: iowaclinic.com
If you’re suffering from back pain and looking for relief, physical therapists have five exercises they usually recommend. From toe touches to cat-cows, these simple moves strengthen the core muscles, which can help provide support for your spine.
Even better, anyone can do them without expensive workout equipment or special clothing. With the correct form and regular practice, physical therapists believe you’ll notice a difference in as little as a few weeks. Making small changes to your lifestyle, such as these exercises, can make a dramatic difference in managing back pain.
Physical therapy is an important part of any healing process because it helps your body recover faster by strengthening muscles and increasing flexibility in joints that may have been weakened or damaged due to injury or illness.
There are many different types of treatments available depending on your needs ranging from exercise-based programs to manual therapies like massage and stretching, heat/cold therapies, as well as electrical stimulation if needed to be based on initial evaluation findings performed by qualified licensed professionals who possess experience treating common problems within their field using evidence-based practice protocols when caring for patients so they receive optimal outcomes during their course of care!
Conclusion:
For those looking for more information about how to start their journey into physical therapy, we hope this guide was informative enough so readers feel confident when beginning their own individualized treatment plans with qualified licensed professionals near them!