Florida Health Insurance Terms:
"Physical Therapy"

Define: "Physical Therapy"

Rehabilitation concerned with the restoration of function and the prevention of disability following surgery, injury, disease or the loss of a body part.

Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.

Therapists examine patients’ medical histories and then test and measure the patients’ strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. They also determine patients’ ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness. Next, physical therapists develop plans describing a treatment strategy, its purpose, and its anticipated outcome.

More Examples of Physical Therapy:

Physical therapy always begins with a detailed history and evaluation of the problem. Your physical therapist will take many things into account, including your age, general health, occupation, and lifestyle. If major trauma or disease is involved, your physical therapist will work with you in consultation with a physician.

After a diagnosis has been made, your physical therapist may choose from a range of treatment options, including exercises for flexibility, strength, stability, and restoration of range of motion. Other options include ice, heat, electrical stimulation, traction or mobilization, and massage. Your physical therapist may also analyze your home and work environment in order to ensure that you're not re-injuring yourself.

Much evidence suggests that low-impact aerobic exercise such as swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and stationary bicycling may also be helpful in decreasing neck pain. A physical therapist can design a pain-free exercise program just for you.

Once your physical therapy goals are met, your physical therapist will help you continue therapy on your own with a home program designed to fit your needs. The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal activity as quickly as possible, with the knowledge you need to minimize or eliminate your problem.

Further details - Physical Therapy:: Search APTA

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