Role of a Physical Therapist

Physical therapy can help a patient regain movement or strength after an injury or illness. A physical therapist is a trained and licensed medical professional with experience in diagnosing physical abnormalities, restoring physical function and mobility, maintaining physical function, and promoting physical activity and proper function. They take care of patients in all phases of healing, from initial diagnosis through the restorative and preventive stages of recovery. They can treat a wide variety of medical conditions, depending on their specialty.

Some conditions that can benefit from physical therapy treatment are:

Cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and post-myocardial infarction (MI).

Hand therapy for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.

Musculoskeletal dysfunction such as back pain, rotator cuff tears, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).

Neurological conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction, and traumatic brain injuries.

Pediatric conditions such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy.

Sports-related injuries, such as concussion and tennis elbow.

Women's health and pelvic floor dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence and lymphedema.

A physical therapist can advise individuals about the benefits specific to their personal medical history and their need for treatment.

Types of physical therapy

Orthopedic physical therapy treats musculoskeletal injuries, involving the muscles, bones, ligaments, fascias, and tendons. It is suitable for medical conditions such as fractures, sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, chronic medical problems, and rehabilitation or recovery from orthopedic surgery. Patients may undergo treatment with joint mobilizations, manual therapy, strength training, mobility training, and other modalities.

Neurological physical therapy can help people with neurological disorders and conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Treatment may aim to increase limb responsiveness, treat paralysis, and reverse increase muscles strength by reducing muscle atrophy.

AVA Rehabilitation Center offers an all-encompassing selection of therapy services. Our therapists provide patients with the most advanced therapies and treatments as well as a caring supportive environment in which to heal.