Physical Therapist Columbia, MD

There are many reasons why a person may need to work with a physical therapist Columbia, MD relies on from Patapsco Integrative Medicine & Rehab. Some of the reasons are accident injury recovery, sports injuries, muscle motion loss, aging muscles, and more. Whatever the reason, if you think you could benefit from physical therapy don’t hesitate to speak with one of our therapists in a consultation. Contact us to schedule your consultation. Physical therapy has a positive reputation for being beneficial for many people and could do you good. 

Types of Physical Therapy

There are multiple types of therapy that you may need to consider with your Columbia physical therapist to see which therapy will be beneficial for you and your body’s needs. You therapist will determine the treatment plan you need specifically for your body and healing. Our therapists are experienced and trained in working with patients with an array of backgrounds and injuries and can help you too with your healing journey.

• Sports Therapy

There are multiple reasons to seek sports therapy, such as due to a stress injury, a collision injury, a broken bone, pulled muscle, and more. Depending on your type of injury or sports therapy need, your therapist will compile a unique treatment plan specific to you that includes exercises and stretches that will help to improve your body and assist in your healing process. 

• Accident Injury Therapy

After being involved in some kind of an accident it is not uncommon to experience pain and injuries that require physical therapy in order to restore the body’s movements and abilities to as close as possible to how it was before the accident. Experienced therapists know how to work with these patients and create a physical therapy treatment plan specifically for that patient.

• Therapy for Elderly

As we age, muscles begin to work less effectively which can cause pain and loss of motion. Working with a physical therapist on this specifically can help elderly patients improve their range of motion, reduce pain, and increase their quality of life. 

• Muscle and Joint Therapy

Range of motion for joints, muscles, and tendons can be thrown off and need to be adjusted. With physical therapy exercises specifically designed to improve movement patients can see improvement in their personal movement and range of motion. 

TYPES OF PHYSICAL THERAPY INFOGRAPHIC

5 Signs You May Benefit From Physical Therapy

As a physical therapist Columbia, MD patients trust at Patapsco Integrative Medicine & Rehab explains, contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be recovering from an injury to benefit from physical therapy. In fact, most physical therapy is used for treating general wear and tear on the body, in addition to symptoms that are part of the aging process. If you have the following signs, then your health may benefit from physical therapy.

#1 You have lingering pain.

Some pain after an intense workout is not usually a concern, as enough rest should address this. However, if you are having pain even after resting for a few days or using an ice pack, then it may be time to have a physical therapist help you. Talk to your physical therapist about the lingering pain you have and they can make recommendations for how to ease this persistent discomfort. Be forthcoming about all your symptoms so that your physical therapist can identify the problem and suggest an appropriate treatment plan.

#2 You have sharp pain.

Dull pain can be easily treated with rest and ice backs. But centralized, sharp pain may be a sign of muscle strain or stress factor. As your physical therapist may offer, if you do not address an underlying injury that is causing sharp pain, then the pain may not retreat. To get relief for the long-term, you may have to work with a physical therapist, as this health professional understands how the body works and how each area can affect the other. Your physical therapist can bring more awareness to why sharp pain is happening and what you can do to reduce it.

#3 Your pain medication is not effective.

You may be taking prescription or over-the-counter medication for inflammation, pain, or other physical symptoms. Relying on pain medication may not work permanently, as it often just blankets the symptoms without treating the issue underneath. If your body discomfort has continued despite using medication, then it may be time to talk with a physical therapist for help. Ultimately, it’s not ideal to depend on medications solely as means to treat physical ailments. Our body sends us signals and if we do not listen to them and just put a temporary solution on them, eventually the medication will stop working effectively.

#4 You have injury or physical trauma.

Traumatic injuries can benefit from the type of care that physical therapy offers. Broken bones and muscle tears specifically are common injuries treated by physical therapists. When someone goes through sudden trauma, it is imperative to attend to the trauma promptly, so it does not worsen as time goes by. Your Columbia physical therapist may inquire about your medical history and other injuries you have had in the past, as a way to get to know you and your health better, then make suggestions for treatment that best suits what you need.

#5 You have changes in your body.

You know your body, so you can tell when there are physical changes. If you have general discomfort, localized pain, or other physical symptoms, you may benefit from having a physical therapist work with you. The longer it takes for us to seek treatment for physical symptoms, the more our condition can exacerbate. Your physical therapist can uncover contributing factors that you may not have realized were an issue before. If you have noticed changes in your body and have had newly developed symptoms, then now is the time to seek a Columbia physical therapist for assistance.

What is orthopedic physical therapy?

This is the most common type of physical therapy that each Columbia, MD physical therapist from our clinic treats patients with. Therapists usually focus on issues such as:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Hip pain
• Knee pain
• Muscle sprains
• Muscle strains
• Neck pain
• Post-surgical recovery
• Rehabilitation of fractures
• Tendonitis
• Wrist/elbow/shoulder issues

While the majority of physical therapists are trained in hand/wrist conditions, some have also taken additional studies and training to become certified hand therapists.

What is geriatric physical therapy and what types of issues can it help with?

In this specialty, the physical therapist works with seniors. As we age, there are a number of issues that develop that can make everyday living challenging. Some of the more common issues that can be addressed in geriatric physical therapy include:

• Decline in balance
• Decrease in endurance
• Longer recovery from injuries
• Loss of strength
• Osteoporosis (brittle bones)
• Stiffness of joints

3 Reasons to See a Physical Therapist

There are many reasons that physical therapy may be a good option for you, such as accident or injury recovery, mobility issues, and more. A Columbia physical therapist can discuss your treatment options based on your healing needs and goals. During your initial appointment you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you have, voice your concerns, discuss your pain areas or other issues, and more, so there is no need to wait to schedule an appointment where you will be able to find out more information about your treatment options. Contact us today at Patapsco Integrative Medicine & Rehab to make an appointment. 

1. Pain Relief

   Living with pain can be unbearable and keep you from doing what you love, as well as even your daily tasks in some cases. Physical therapy could help relieve your pain so that you can live your life to its full potential with reduced pain – or ideally, even pain-free. A Columbia physical therapist from Patapsco Integrative Medicine & Rehab can treat you for pain and assist your body with its natural healing process to help you get back to living a pain-free life and doing what you love, enjoying your hobbies and loved ones. 

2. Improved Mobility

   Mobility issues are one of the main reasons that people seek physical therapy, including walking, twisting, should and arm movement, and much more. Whether your decrease in mobility is from a major injury, aging, stress or repetitive movement injury, or something else, an experienced therapist can discuss your treatment options during your initial appointment. Your physical therapist will put together a treatment plan that is specific to you and discuss your mobility goals and work to restore the movement that you have lost.

3. Increased Strength

   For some patients, increasing their muscles and strength may be a necessary and beneficial part of treatment. Having more muscle can help to support the body so that it can function properly and reduce or prevent pain and joint issues. If your treatment needs are because of an injury that left you bedridden for some time then increasing strength may be especially important as your body heals, recovers, and returns to how it functioned before. Your therapist can include strength-building exercises in your treatment plan that will support your overall healing and recovery. 

There are so many reasons to seek physical therapy, and there is no need to wait to get started on your treatment. Don’t hesitate to talk with an experienced Columbia physical therapist from our office at Patapsco Integrative Medicine & Rehab about your treatment options and healing goals. We will be happy to meet with you and discuss your physical therapy needs, as well as perform a physical evaluation to determine your needs. Waiting to start physical therapy could potentially lead to further injury and cause more pain or a longer recovery. Give us a call today to schedule your initial consultation and get started on your healing and recovery journey.

Columbia Physical Therapists Statistics

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, as of 2022, there are 312,716 licensed physical therapists in the United States. It is important to note that this number is expected to grow in the coming years, as the demand for physical therapy services continues to increase.

Call a Therapist Today

Whether you’ve been involved in an accident, over-stressed a muscle, have a pain when you move a certain way, or more something else, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Patapsco Integrative Medicine & Rehab to schedule a consultation. During your initial consultation your Columbia physical therapist will ask you questions, review any other medical paperwork you have, evaluate your physical abilities and injuries, and more so that they can begin to put together your treatment plan and schedule your next appointments. Call us today to schedule your appointment and start your journey of healing and improving your movement, strength, and quality of life.

Do physical therapists work with children?

Pediatric physical therapists specialize in rehabilitation programs specifically with children. Some of their young patients can include those who have developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, neurological disorders, and orthopedic issues.

Can a Columbia physical therapist help female patients with women’s issues?

Yes. There are a number of issues that women suffer from that can actually be treated by a physical therapist. Some of the more common issues include:

• Incontinence
• Pelvic pain
• Pregnancy problems

I’ve suffered a work injury. Can physical therapy help heal that injury?

Vocational physical therapists usually work with patients who have suffered work-related injuries. A vocational physical therapist will often perform an injured worker’s functional capacity evaluation which is often ordered for someone who has applied for or is receiving workers’ compensation benefits. The therapist will also evaluate different aspects of a patient’s job to determine their ability to perform that job and what, if any, modifications need to be made, including ergonomics, work tasks, and workflow.

What about patients who have suffered neurological issues?

While many physical therapists work with patients who have suffered neurological injury or illness, some therapists take additional training in order to specialize and work with patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological injuries. Retraining of functions for these patients include:

• Bed mobility
• Getting in and out of chairs and beds
• Use of the shoulders, arms, and hands
• Walking
• Wheelchair use

Are there physical therapists who specialize in sports rehabilitation?

When an athlete becomes injured, there are specific issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure their recovery results in being able to perform at the same level they were before their injury or surgery. A Columbia physical therapist who specialized in sports rehabilitation can help with rehab and retraining in running, jumping, throwing, and other sports-related activities.

How can a physical therapist help with patients’ overall wellness?

Patients who are concerned with certain medical conditions, like diabetes, weight, osteoporosis, or other health issues can benefit from working with a physical therapist who specializes in wellness and fitness. The therapist will develop a program that is specifically made for the individual patient and their needs.