Physical Therapy
Understanding Physical Therapy – The Jackson Clinics
At The Jackson Clinics, our mission is to help you achieve better health and wellness through expert physical therapy.
Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a sports injury, or dealing with chronic pain, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
The first step is understanding physical therapy, so you can make informed decisions about your health.
In this guide, we discuss some of the most common questions about physical therapy and provide insights into how it can help you.
We answer:
- What is physical therapy?
- Why is physical therapy important?
- What is a physical therapist?
- What does a physical therapist do?
- What can a physical therapy do for you?
- What are the different types of physical therapy?
- What techniques are used in physical therapy?
- What conditions are treated with physical therapy?
- What to expect in physical therapy?
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is a highly respected medical profession specializing in the evaluation and treatment of the musculoskeletal system.
It’s a non-invasive treatment option designed to help you recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and prevent future issues.
If pain or limited movement is keeping you from living life to its fullest, physical therapy can help.
– Why is Physical Therapy Important?
Physical therapy is essential for anyone looking to improve their physical health without relying solely on medication or surgery.
It helps manage pain, increases mobility, and restores function, allowing you to return to your daily activities with greater ease and confidence.
Additionally, physical therapy plays a preventative role by addressing potential issues before they lead to more severe problems.
What is a Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists have the rewarding opportunity to make a positive difference in the quality of their patients’ lives.
Their job is not just to treat but also to guide you through recovery and prevent future problems.
– What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
A physical therapist is like a partner in your journey to better health.
They’re experts in movement and function who help to manage and prevent a wide range of conditions, including orthopedic and soft tissue injuries, sports injuries, fractures and dislocations.
PTs can specialize in addressing a range of conditions and work to make patients stronger, relieve their pain, and help them regain function so that they can resume activities of daily living such as walking, dressing or bathing.
– What Can a Physical Therapist Do For You?
Physical Therapists start by assessing your condition and figuring out what’s causing your discomfort.
Then, they’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs. This might include exercises, stretches, and manual therapy.
Their goal is to help you get stronger, ease your pain, and restore your ability to do everyday activities.
Beyond The Sessions
Beyond the sessions, a physical therapist understands that recovery continues after the patient has completed direct care.
Therefore, PTs teach their patients what they need to do at home to manage their condition, so they continue to move forward.
At The Jackson Clinics, our physical therapists know that life is not a spectator sport, it’s meant to be lived.
If pain or limited movement is keeping you from living life to its fullest, physical therapy can help you get back to doing the activities you love the most.
Types, Techniques, and Conditions Treated in Physical Therapy
— What Are the Different Types of Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is not one-size-fits-all.
At The Jackson Clinics, we offer various types of physical therapy to address a wide range of conditions and patient needs:
Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on treating musculoskeletal conditions, such as fractures, sprains, strains, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
It aims to reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve overall function.
Neurological Physical Therapy
This type of therapy is designed for individuals dealing with neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injuries.
Neurological physical therapy helps improve balance, coordination, strength, and functional abilities.
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy addresses the needs of children who may be experiencing developmental delays or recovering from injuries.
Through play-based activities, we work to enhance motor skills, coordination, strength, and balance in a nurturing environment.
— What Techniques Are Used In Physical Therapy?
- Therapeutic Exercise – Customized exercises, prescribed by your therapist to address strength, flexibility, balance, endurance and other functional impairments that are uncovered during the evaluation.
- Strength and Endurance Training – Carefully prescribed doses of exercise using body weight, manual resistance, free weights and other specialized strengthening equipment that help to improve your physical strength, endurance, performance and ability to avoid future injury. A physical therapist can help you find a training program that is ideal for your needs.
- Stretching – Hands-on muscle relaxation and lengthening techniques, targeting muscle groups that are in spasm, protecting sore joints or nerves, or are just short from years of disuse. The type of stretch and dose are carefully chosen by your therapist, and pictures with descriptions are given to help you work on them at home.
- Neuromuscular Re-education – Verbal, manual, and device-assisted treatments, focusing on teaching and training correct muscle timing, activation, and coordination. This treatment strategy helps to make the most of the mobility and strength gains you get in therapy.
- Gait Training – Expert movement assessment and re-training using state of the art technology, both for high-level running technique and for normal walking patterns. You take thousands of steps per day, so good mechanics really matter! A physical therapist can help you identify any potential problems with your gait.
- Cardiovascular Conditioning – Evidence based exercise prescription, focusing on your heart and lung health. Your overall health, wellness, life expectancy, and healing abilities are significantly influenced by how healthy your heart and lungs are, so we make this a priority. Our clinics are equipped with stair-climbers, treadmills, stationary bicycles, ellipticals, upper body ergometers, and other modes of cardiovascular training to help get you on track. Our physical therapists follow the latest research in cardiovascular rehabilitation.
- Education – You are the most important person in the rehab process. Your rate of improvement increases tremendously if you understand your condition, believe in the plan of care, know how to measure your success, and know what to expect along the way. A Jackson Clinics physical therapist takes pride in educating you about every aspect of your care, because we know how much it matters.
- Equipment Prescription – You need the right tools to do the job well. A home exercise program that includes equipment like resistance bands, tape, braces, heat packs, cold packs, foam rollers, insoles, theracanes, balance boards, and stretch-out straps can mean the difference between momentary relief and sustained results!
- Therapeutic Modalities – Our physical therapists consult the latest research to guide our use of therapeutic modalities. In the right conditions, your therapist will utilize Heat/Cold packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, phonophoresis, cervical traction, or lumbar traction to further improve your recovery.
— What Conditions Are Treated With Physical Therapy?
At The Jackson Clinics, our physical therapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.
Here are some of the common conditions we address:
Musculoskeletal Conditions:
- Back and Neck Pain: Chronic or acute pain, herniated discs, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease.
- Joint Pain: Arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis in joints such as the knee, hip, shoulder, or elbow.
- Injuries: Sprains, strains, fractures, and sports injuries.
- Post-Surgical Recovery: After surgeries like joint replacements, rotator cuff repairs, or spinal surgeries.
Neurological Conditions:
- Stroke Recovery: To regain mobility, strength, and balance.
- Parkinson’s Disease: To manage symptoms and improve mobility and function.
- Multiple Sclerosis: To maintain strength and mobility.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: To maximize independence and mobility.
Orthopedic Conditions:
- Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: To manage pain and improve joint function.
- Repetitive Strain Injuries: Such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow.
- Posture-Related Issues: Caused by scoliosis or other spinal deformities.
Cardiopulmonary Conditions:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): To improve breathing and endurance.
- Post-Heart Attack or Heart Surgery: Cardiac rehabilitation to improve cardiovascular fitness.
Pediatric Conditions:
- Developmental Delays: In infants and children, such as delayed motor skills.
- Cerebral Palsy: To enhance mobility and function.
- Congenital Conditions: Such as spina bifida or muscular dystrophy.
Geriatric Conditions:
- Balance and Fall Prevention: To reduce the risk of falls in older adults.
- Osteoporosis: To strengthen bones and prevent fractures.
- Post-Surgery Rehabilitation: Following hip or knee replacements.
Chronic Pain Conditions:
- Fibromyalgia: To manage pain and improve function.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: To increase stamina and reduce pain.
Sports-Related Conditions:
- ACL Injuries: To recover from anterior cruciate ligament tears.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: Common in overhead athletes like swimmers and tennis players.
- Overuse Injuries: Such as shin splints, runner’s knee, or plantar fasciitis.
Post-Operative Rehabilitation:
- After surgeries like ACL reconstruction, joint replacements, or tendon repairs, PT helps restore function and mobility.
Women’s Health Issues:
- Pelvic Pain: Often related to pregnancy or postpartum recovery.
- Incontinence: PT can help manage bladder control issues.
- Post-Mastectomy Care: To regain shoulder mobility and manage scar tissue.
Physical therapists also help people with preventive care, such as strengthening programs to prevent injuries or managing chronic conditions to avoid complications.
For a complete list of conditions we treat, check out our “Conditions We Treat” page.
What to Expect in Physical Therapy
Starting physical therapy is an important step toward better health and mobility.
At The Jackson Clinics, we aim to make your experience as comfortable and effective as possible.
Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and prepared as you begin your journey to recovery.
1) Your Initial Evaluation
Your first visit will begin with a comprehensive evaluation.
During this session, your physical therapist will assess your condition, review your medical history, and discuss your specific goals.
This evaluation is essential for developing a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
The physical therapist may ask you about your pain levels, daily activities, and any limitations you experience, which will help guide the treatment approach.
2) Developing Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on the initial evaluation, your physical therapist will create a customized treatment plan.
This plan will include a combination of therapeutic exercises, stretches, and/or manual therapy.
The goal is to target the root cause of your discomfort, improve your mobility, and help you achieve your personal health objectives.
3) Starting Your Treatment
Once your treatment plan is set, you’ll begin your therapy sessions.
Each session will involve exercises and techniques aimed at reducing pain, increasing strength, and improving your overall function.
Your physical therapist will guide you through each step, making adjustments as needed to ensure your progress. They’ll also teach you exercises to do at home to keep building on the progress between visits.
Regular feedback on how you’re feeling will help fine-tune your treatment, ensuring that you stay on track toward your recovery goals.
4) Tracking Your Progress
As you continue with therapy, your physical therapist will regularly monitor your progress.
They’ll adjust your treatment plan based on how well you’re responding, adding new exercises or modifying existing ones as needed. You’ll also have the chance to discuss any changes in your symptoms, improvements, or challenges you’re facing.
This ongoing evaluation helps ensure that you’re moving steadily toward your goals. Celebrating small wins along the way will keep you motivated as you work toward full recovery or improved function.
5) Achieving Your Goals and Maintaining Progress
Once you’ve reached your therapy goals, your physical therapist will help you transition to a maintenance plan.
This might include exercises to continue on your own, tips for preventing future injuries, and guidance on how to maintain the improvements you’ve made. The goal is to ensure that you stay strong, flexible, and pain-free in the long term.
You’ll also have the tools and knowledge to manage any flare-ups or issues that might arise, helping you stay active and healthy moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
— How long is a physical therapy session?
Physical therapy sessions typically last between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the specific requirements of your treatment plan.
At The Jackson Clinics, we believe in a more unique 90 minute session: 30 minutes with your Physical Therapist, and 60 minutes with your exercise specialist.
During each session, your specialists will guide you through exercises and techniques designed to improve your condition.
Your physical therapist will regularly monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you are getting the most out of your therapy.
— How will progress be monitored and adjusted?
Your physical therapist will assess how well you’re responding to the exercises throughout the treatment process and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
Adjustments may include:
- Modifying exercises to better suit your progress
- Introducing new techniques, or
- Increasing the intensity of your sessions as you grow stronger
— How do I prepare for my PT sessions?
- For each session, it’s helpful to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows for easy movement.
- Your physical therapist may also recommend bringing any relevant medical documents, such as imaging reports or doctor’s notes, to help guide your treatment.
- Be prepared to actively participate in your sessions, as physical therapy is a collaborative process where your effort plays a key role in your recovery.
Overall, physical therapy at The Jackson Clinics is a personalized experience designed to help you regain strength, mobility, and confidence.
By understanding what to expect, you can approach your treatment with a clear mind and a positive outlook.
Ready to Get Started?
At The Jackson Clinics, we’re here to help you move better, feel better, and live better.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing pain, or just want to improve your overall health, our team is ready to work with you.
Let’s take that next step together.