The Physical Therapists will develop a treatment plan, after a complete patient evaluation of the injury, illness or disability. There are many different injuries and conditions requiring physical therapy. The therapist must be well versed in many techniques to meet these needs. Physical therapists render care to all ages from new born babies to the elderly. They utilize manual therapy and manipulative techniques to help the patient meet their personal goals. Trust is a key element between the patient and the therapist. The patient will need to diligently work towards their goal to improve mobility; enhance endurance, while working on flexibility, coordination and balance. The key for this is to work individual muscles, ligaments, tendons, along with their joints and bones.
The Physical therapist job needs to have better than average communication skills in order to educate the patient and their family. It is important to include them in the overall process, so that everyone will be working together to get the best end result in the treatment process. The therapist will need to be compassionate while maintaining the professionalism needed to help the patient reach past the pain for the final result of better mobility.
Before visiting a Physical therapist, make sure you have a referral from your doctor. Most insurances companies do not cover treatment unless a referral has been made ahead of time.
Job opportunities abound for physical therapists; they are employed in hospitals working in pediatrics, geriatrics, neurology, or cardiac and pulmonary disease.
Others can be found working in clinics or private offices that provide out-patient care. Physical therapists are also employed by agencies who handle home visits for patients who confined to home and unable to make office visits.
Baby-boomers have always been acknowledged as a large percent of the population. They will soon be entering the elderly population which is highly vulnerable. Many have already reached the prime age for chronic conditions, strokes or heart attacks increasing the demand for more physical therapists.
Parkinson’s disease robs the patient of their independence and mobility. It affects their balance, muscle control and in some cases vision. Those patients who are provided physical therapy retain their independence a little longer than those that do without. This is one example of a home care opportunity in the medical field of Physical therapy.
Another example for employment outside if a medical facility is sports medicine. Many teams hire therapists to keep the team members in shape, especially those who have suffered an injury on the playing field. The therapist will often administer heat or ice applications to warm or cool overworked muscles. The therapist is trained to know whether to apply ice or heat to the injury. The ice and heat are used for blood stimulation and as a way to reduce swelling when needed.
The Physical Therapist has a very physically challenging job which requires a lot of stooping, kneeling, and standing for long periods of time. They are also required to move heavy equipment. They also assist their patients in varied movements and walking.
