Are you a candidate for physical therapy?

Many people wonder if they are a candidate for physical therapy, or if physical therapy can help their ailment. Most people can benefit from physical therapy, whether their condition varies from a simple ankle sprain to a complex neurological disorder.

Physical therapy uses non-invasive and non-medical tools to help improve total body function. Physical therapists focus on relieving pain, promoting healing, restoring function and movement, and facilitation and adaptation associated with injury. Therapy also focuses on ergonomics or body mechanic training, fitness, and wellness. So as you can see, physical therapy can play a role in most people's lives.

Many patients may think that they know how to properly exercise, manage their pain and rehabilitate themselves. We have commonly been given explanations from patients for why they don't need therapy - for example, "I have had this before and I know what works for me," or "I know what is causing this because my neighbor had the same thing, so I will just do what she did," and attempt to manage themselves. A physical therapist is a specialist, skilled and educated specifically in proper rehabilitation. We are continually educated as to management of different dysfunctions and differentiation of one dysfunction/injury from another, and work closely with the referring physician in the development of a rehabilitation program specifically designed for each individual. We all have different types of bodies, different patterns of movement, alignments and habits. A physical therapist, along with his or her trained staff, monitors each individual and attempts to correct improper movements, alignments and habits.

Typically, the most appropriate patients are those who have been in accidents (work, auto or falls), athletes with overstress injuries, patients with arthritis, pre- and post-operative patients, and people with general deconditoning and strains. We very rarely come across individuals with perfect body mechanics, training techniques or movement patterns. We truly believe that many and all can benefit from physical therapy.

Most importantly with therapy comes education. Because of health care guidelines and reimbursement changes, your physician may not have the time needed to explain exactly what your injury/dysfunction/disability is and why/how it occurred. Your therapist is specialized in this and many times is the person who will educate you about the specifics of your problem, and what the course of action will be to correct it and hopefully prevent it from reoccurring. At Pinnacle Physical Therapy, we focus on education, correction and prevention.

Please feel free to give us a call today at Pinnacle Physical Therapy. We are here to answer any questions you may have about physical therapy. We have two convenient locations in the area. Post Falls (208) 777-4242 or Coeur d'Alene (208) 665-2000. We look forward to hearing from you!

- Pinnacle Physical Therapy