Physical therapy is a form of treatment where physical methods are used to treat a disease, deformity, or injury instead of drugs or surgery. The therapy can be administered through massage, exercise, or heat treatment. The treatment works to reduce physical disabilities, boost motor function, and reestablish regular body movements to achieve maximum patient independence.
Physical therapy covers a broad scope of injuries besides sports and orthopedic injuries. The physical remedy can also be administered to patients suffering from brain and autoimmune injuries.
A physical therapist is a healthcare professional who examines a patient and designs a treatment plan to help restore their normal bodily functions and prevent disability. The therapist oversees all the steps of treatment until the patient can operate at maximum independence.
How Does Physical Therapy Work?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to administering physical therapy. Each individual is unique, hence a different treatment plan for each person. The American therapy association recognizes three elements of physical therapy, as discussed below.
- Examination - This is the first stage where a therapist thoroughly examines an individual by asking questions and performing a physical examination.
- Diagnosis - After examination, a physical therapist performs a diagnosis and identifies the nature of the patient’s condition. The therapist then helps the patient understand how their treatment plan will be implemented.
- Implementation - This is the last stage, where a patient attends several treatment sessions to start the recovery process. Activities performed during physical therapy treatments include massage and exercise. The first sessions are typically more challenging, given a patient’s body is adjusting to new movements.
Is Physical Therapy Covered by Insurance?
In most instances, insurance companies will cover physical therapy expenses that are medically required and administered by or issued under the supervision of a physical therapist. Your insurance company or physical therapist will specify if your insurance caters to the recommended services and if you will incur any expenses. If your insurance company doesn’t list your physical therapist as a provider, it may allow you to “go out of network”.
Going out of network means getting services from a non-listed service provider. The company then pays part of what your physical therapist charges. You will then be required to pay the remaining balance. A lot of patients typically choose this option to get a physical therapist of their choice.
Most insurance companies allow their clients to go out of the network. Only Medicare and several Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) don't.
Common Injuries Needing Physical Therapy
Sports injuries are the most common injuries treated by physical therapy. Immune and brain injuries are also treatable by physical remedy. The following are some common injuries treated by physical therapy.
- Sports Injuries - Strains (muscle pulls) are injuries obtained from overusing muscles. An overuse stresses the tendon and can worsen over time. Strains are common in people living an active life but can happen to anyone. An example is hamstring strain. Other sports injuries include shoulder injuries, shin splints, ankle sprains, Achilles tendinitis and knee injuries.
- Brain injuries - The body significantly depends on signals from the brain to function. When a person experiences a condition that alters the brain's normal functioning, a physical therapist can aid them to normalcy through physical therapy. Brain injuries such as strokes, cerebral palsy, concussions, and Parkinson’s disease can be treated by physical therapy.
Physical therapy is a method of treatment that doesn’t involve medication but physical treatment. It can be used to aid sports, brain, and autoimmune injuries. The treatment is administered by a physical therapist who designs a personalized treatment plan for each patient.