Learn About the Basics of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is based on a deep, evidence-based understanding of how the human body works.

Physical therapy is a form of healthcare that uses exercise, muscle and nerve stimulation, and massage to keep muscles and joints working properly. For many patients, it can enhance or preserve function and quality of life.

Physical therapy generally focuses on:

• Rehabilitation after injuries, surgery or a debilitating illness
• Pain relief
• Improving balance and coordination

Physical therapy emerged as a healthcare specialty in the early 1900s as the U.S. and Europe were hit by debilitating polio outbreaks and large numbers of soldiers returned from World War I with major injuries and amputations. It has since evolved into a profession that provides hands-on care to patients of all ages. Whether you're 6 months or 99 years old, physical therapy can often help you enjoy a better life.

Is physical therapy effective?

Physical therapy – or “PT” for short – is based on a deep, evidence-based understanding of how the human body works. Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants complete years of education with extensive hands-on patient care.

These professionals help patients address acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) pain and movement problems. PT can also help alleviate symptoms or slow the advance of some progressive conditions, such as osteoarthritis or Parkinson’s disease.

What are some examples of conditions PT treats?

There are far too many to list! Here is a sample:

• Back and neck pain (before and/or after surgery)
• Joint injuries (for example, severely sprained ankle, damaged rotator cuff)
• Stroke deficits (difficulty with walking and/or balance)
• Osteoarthritis (knees and hips, especially)
• Urinary incontinence
• Surgical recovery (total joint replacement; ACL repair)
• Injury (automobile crashes, falls, etc.)
• Recovery from debilitating illness
• Maximizing function during course of progressive conditions

Is PT an alternative to surgery?

It’s more of a complement to surgery. At times, surgeons may recommend patients try PT as an initial course of treatment. If it is successful at meeting the patient’s needs and goals, surgery may not be needed. But often, PT is used after surgery to help the patient regain maximum strength, range of motion and pain relief.

For example, physical therapy is often recommended in conjunction with knee, hip and shoulder replacement surgery to help patients regain strength and improve their range of motion. Occasionally, PT may be prescribed as “prehab” – treatment before surgery in order to strengthen muscles and flexibility to improve the patient’s outcome after surgery.

Physical therapists can also treat problems like osteoarthritis or torn cartilage in the hips, knees, shoulders, ankles and other joints that may require surgery in the future. In many patients, physical therapy may postpone the need for surgery for years, even decades, and will often improve quality of life before surgery and outcomes after surgery.

What happens during my first PT session?

During the initial session, the therapist will review your doctor’s orders and information they may have provided, then perform an assessment. For example, if you have a back injury, the therapist will want to find out how much pain you are in and how much your mobility and quality of life are impacted.

During this assessment your therapist will also ask you about your goals for treatment. For example, are you hoping to return to an elite level of sports, get back to reaching high cabinets, or walk unassisted and safely into and out of your home? Your goals and abilities will be unique to you, and so your treatment plan will be unique, too.

What is treatment like?

It depends on the problems your treatment is addressing. For example, if you have had a knee replacement, part of your treatment will focus on building the strength of the muscles that support and move your knee. Another part of your treatment plan will focus on maximizing your new joint’s range of motion.

A patient being seen for a herniated disk, on the other hand, may work on building core strength and reducing the inflammation that aggravates pain. Physical therapists also use massage and joint manipulation, as well as therapeutic devices that can stimulate nerves and muscles.

Will I need to do exercises between physical therapy sessions?

Almost certainly. Physical therapists usually prescribe a number of exercises and stretches for you to do on a regular basis:

Strengthening exercises

Designed to build the muscles needed for walking, balance, arm motion, standing or sitting upright, etc. Exercises are often done with only body weight but may also involve inexpensive equipment such as light weights or elastic bands.

Range-of-motion exercises

Designed to maintain or increase how far a joint can bend. These exercises might include stretching and bending movements for affected joints such as hips and knees.

Balance training

Designed to stimulate muscles and parts of your brain that are important to your sense of balance, which is vital in reducing your risk of falls and associated injuries. PT also can often resolve balance issues caused by loose crystals in the inner ear.

What is the goal of an exercise plan?

The exercises your physical therapist prescribes can help you recover from an injury, prevent new injuries, and regain or maintain your ability to move in ways that are important to you. As we age, we tend to lose some flexibility due to changes in our muscles, bones and joints. In many cases, PT can help. Of course, injury or illness also may affect your mobility by causing stiffness or pain that prevents proper movement. Again, PT often can help.

How can I find out if PT is right for me?

Discuss your health concerns with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) and ask if PT might be helpful. Your PCP may advise you to talk with a specialist (such as a surgeon), refer you directly for evaluation and treatment, or may advise on another course, depending on your goals, medical history, and condition.

Can I choose where I receive Physical Therapy?

Generally, yes. Be sure to check your insurance coverage and make sure the therapy center you want to use is in-network. St. Mary’s outpatient rehabilitation services are covered under most insurance plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid.

Also be aware that many physicians are part of practices owned by large healthcare systems. If you want to receive PT care from a therapist or practice outside of their system, you will need to ask for a referral specifically to that therapist or practice.

St. Mary’s Outpatient PT Services

• St. Mary’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, 2470 Daniells Bridge Road, Athens
• St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, 367 Clear Creek Parkway, Lavonia
• St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, 5401 Lake Oconee Parkway, Greensboro
• Georgia Neurological Surgery & Comprehensive Spine, 2142 W. Broad St., Bldg. 100, Ste. 200, Athens (spine-specific PT)

St. Mary’s Inpatient PT Services

All three of our hospitals provide physical therapy services for patients who are admitted for care. In addition, St. Mary’s Center for Rehabilitative Medicine at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens provides inpatient education and rehabilitation care (PT, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology) plus 24/7 nursing care for patients with physical disabilities caused by injury or illness.

The center is CARF-accredited and helps patients maximize function and independence with the goal of helping them to return home.

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This blog post was reviewed for accuracy by Tim Sorrells, Director, St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Services.