 | Denny Gillard is Director of Physical Therapy at Girard Medical Center. Denny’s background is in manual therapy, sports medicine, orthopedics, neuro rehab, wound care, and work hardening. He has been a therapist for 13 years. Denny graduated from KU with my Masters in physical therapy, and is currently working on his Doctorate in Sports Medicine. |
Health & Wellness
2010-11-01 13:27:00
What exactly does a physical therapist do?
Answer: I’m a physical therapist, and one of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “What exactly does a physical therapist do?” A physical therapist is sometimes thought of being as the person you go see after a total joint surgery, a stroke or if you are elderly and need help walking again, but we do much more than that. We see many types of physical and neurologic injuries including: work related injury, back and neck injuries, wounds, ligament and muscle injuries, brain injuries, muscle weakness, orthopedic injuries/surgeries, sports injuries, pediatric: orthopedic, neurological and developmental delays. The purpose of physical therapy is to restore functional movement of the respective, damaged part of the body.
Physical therapists are qualified and
professionally required to:
•Exam/Assess/Evaluate the patient/
client or needs of a client group
•Formulate a diagnosis,
prognosis, and plan
•Provide consultation within their
expertise and determine when
patients/clients need to be referred
to another healthcare professional
•Implement a physical therapist
intervention/treatment program
•Determine the outcomes of any
interventions/treatments
•Make recommendations to the
patient for self-care.
When you come to see a therapist, the first thing you will receive that day is an evaluation, which is a comprehensive exam of your injury or chief complaint. Once the evaluation is completed, the therapist will set up a plan of care specifically designed to treat your particular injury. A typical patient will usually see a therapist anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks on average and will be seen from 30-60 minutes each session. The treatment sessions are usually 2-3 times a week, but again that is up to your therapist and will vary depending on the severity of your needs.
Take, for instance, the common Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear (ACL tear). The usual course of therapy begins 4 weeks prior to surgery to get your knee moving to full range, decrease the swelling and increase the knees strength. After the surgery, you will usually continue through a 12 week rehabilitation program, depending on your level of activity. If you are returning to a sport it may be longer. Each doctor will have their own rehab requirements before you will be released to return to activity.
Physical therapy plans are designed to suit the patients individual needs as well as their level of activity. Often times, after injury or surgeries, treating doctors will recommend the services of a physical therapist; however referrals aren’t required for receiving physical therapy care.
World Confederation for Physical Therapy
http://www.wcpt.org/node/29599
