Our doctors of physical therapy help you regain your strength and full range of motion after surgery, injury, trauma or illness. It’s important to get physical therapy as quickly as medically safe following loss of mobility — that’s when the natural tendency is for the body to tighten up and avoid movement and activity, leading to progressive loss of mobility and strength.
After an injury, once healing is complete, it’s important to see a physical therapist immediately, before you put yourself at risk of developing a dangerous dependence on medications — which can happen in as little as 3 days. In fact, both the NIH and CDC* recommend seeing a physical therapist first for uncomplicated pain.
Even then, you’re at risk — of losing your former mobility and flexibility. Without physical therapy, it can become harder to walk without compensating, harder to reach for objects high on a shelf, and just generally harder to move.
We know you’re hurt. For pain and loss of mobility related to overuse, misuse and aging of your muscles and joints, physical therapy often makes it possible to avoid surgery and the long-term use of prescription medications and their side effects. It also helps protect and maintain your ability to move and function normally when your mobility is at risk from other health issues.
*Source: National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control
When to see a physical therapist
Whether or not you’re recovering from a surgical procedure such as shoulder surgery or a hip replacement, knee replacement or joint replacement, if pain and mobility issues keep you from doing the things you need and want to do, the next step is to either self-refer yourself to a physical therapist or ask the doctor who’s treating the underlying problem to refer you.
A physical therapist is also an excellent resource if you’re experiencing mobility problems related to other health issues like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. For complex rehab or chronic pain, our physical therapists routinely collaborate with our pain management physicians, chiropractors, and medical massage therapists and acupuncturists to maximize your pain relief and help you restore and maintain as much normal function as possible.
Assessment and treatment
On your first visit, your physical therapist will talk about your pain and mobility issues with you and review your medical history and any notes or referrals from doctors or surgeons you’ve already seen.
Depending on your specific situation, the PT may also evaluate your strength, flexibility, balance, posture, how you walk, sit or stand, or bend or lift. They may use a device called a goniometer to measure your current range of motion. They’ll often listen and observe as you stand, walk, or move in order to better assess the pain or difficulty you’re experiencing.
Once you and your PT complete this assessment and agree on a course of treatment, you’ll schedule your first treatment. You’ll probably receive “homework” as well — exercises you’ll do at home to relieve your pain and get you back to normal even faster.
Typical conditions treated
Many musculoskeletal conditions respond well to physical therapy, but these are among the most common:
- ACL injuries
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Runner’s knee
- Tendinitis
- Severe back pain
- Sciatica
- Neck pain
- Shin splints
- Ankle sprain
- Achilles tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis
- Lower back pain
- Pain following knee surgery, hip, shoulder, or back surgery
How soon will I feel better? Will treatment hurt?
Most people begin to feel and see more mobility and less pain within just a few physical therapy sessions and successfully restore their normal pain-free mobility and function by the end of their treatment plan.
While you may have soreness or temporary minor discomfort as part of normal healing, you should never experience sharp, searing or acute pain during or after your physical therapy appointment or during your home exercises. If you do, talk to your physical therapist right away.
Treatment techniques
Common physical therapy treatments include:
- The use of heat or cold packs
- Assisted stretching and assisted movement, perhaps using specialized equipment
- Targeted strength and balance training
- Electrostimulation of affected muscles
- Trigger point and myofascial release
- Training on the use of crutches, wheelchairs, walkers or other assistive devices
- Light exercise which helps rebuild strength and function in the affected area
How can Randolph Pain Relief & Wellness treat my pain?
Do you already know your diagnosis and the kind of treatment you need?
Just schedule a prompt appointment with the appropriate specialty.
Not sure what’s wrong, how to treat it, or prior therapies haven’t helped?
We offer two options:
- Schedule an initial diagnostic assessment, or
- Call our Pain Navigator service, at no charge
