Physical therapy

Physical therapy (PT) can be a help in getting you back to a point where you can perform ordinary, everyday activities without reduced to no pain and reduced difficulty in movement.Here’s what you can get from PT:

• Exercises.Physical therapists will show you exercises and provide you with an exercise plan designed to strengthen the muscles surrounding the arthritic joint. Strong muscles can help to stabilize a weakened joint and lessen the pain of movement. Using these muscles correctly can restore normal joint mechanics and increase your range of motion.
• Movement techniques.If you are having trouble shifting from one position to another (like getting into and out of a car or bathtub), your therapist can show you the best way to do it. You can learn to how to use walking aids, such as crutches, canes, or walkers, if you need them.

Manual Therapy

You may also be treated with manual therapy. In manual therapy, physical therapists employ a variety of specific, hands-on techniques (such as massage, joint mobilization, and strain and counterstrain) with the aim of decreasing pain, increasing range of motion, lessening swelling, and stretching tight tissues. Recent studies have shown that therapeutic programs that include both manual manipulation and exercise-based PT produce remarkably improved function and decreased pain as compared to programs that include only exercise-based PT. Manual therapy. A recent study showed that patients with knee OA who received manual therapy from a physical therapist in addition to exercise-based therapy had dramatically improved results over patients who did exercise-based therapy alone.

Training coaches and physical therapists

Training coaches and physical therapists use the knowledge of relationships between forces and torques in the treatment of muscles and joints. In physical therapy, an exercise routine can apply a particular force and torque which can, over a period of time, revive muscles and joints. Some exercises are designed to be carried out under water, because this requires greater forces to be exerted, further strengthening muscles. However, connecting tissues in the limbs, such as tendons and cartilage as well as joints are sometimes damaged by the large forces they carry. Often, this is due to accidents, but heavily muscled athletes, such as weightlifters, can tear muscles and connecting tissue through effort alone.

Physiotherapy uses physical techniques to help treat conditions and injuries. Physiotherapy can help:

• improve movement and function
• reduce pain and stiffness
• improve quality of life

Physiotherapists are registered healthcare practitioners. All physiotherapists must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. They must be qualified, have insurance and be continuing their professional education.

Those who have a muscle or joint injury will most likely be sent to a physical therapist (PT) after seeing their regular doctor. PTs have a master’s degree or doctorate, and are highly trained experts in the mechanics of body movements. Many PTs also specialize in sports injuries.

If you injured your shoulder while you were kayaking, the first thing a physical therapist would do during your first visit is to assess the functionality of the joint. The range of motion of a particular joint refers to the normal movements the joint performs. The PT will ask you to abduct and adduct, circumduct, and flex and extend the arm. The PT will note the shoulder’s degree of function, and based on the assessment of the injury, will create an appropriate physical therapy plan.

The first step in physical therapy will probably be applying a heat pack to the injured site, which acts much like a warm-up to draw blood to the area, to enhance healing. You will be instructed to do a series of exercises to continue the therapy at home, followed by icing, to decrease inflammation and swelling, which will continue for several weeks. When physical therapy is complete, the PT will do an exit exam and send a detailed report on the improved range of motion and return of normal limb function to your doctor. Gradually, as the injury heals, the shoulder will begin to function correctly. A PT works closely with patients to help them get back to their normal level of physical activity.

Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They are often an important part of preventive care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.

Duties

Physical therapists typically do the following:

• Review patients’ medical history and referrals or notes from doctors, surgeons, or other healthcare workers
• Diagnose patients’ functions and movements by observing them stand or walk and by listening to their concerns
• Develop individualized plans of care for patients, outlining the patients’ goals and the expected outcomes of the plans
• Use exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients’ pain, help them increase their mobility, prevent further pain or injury, and facilitate health and wellness
• Evaluate and record a patients’ progress, modifying the plan of care and trying new treatments as needed
• Educate patients and their families about what to expect from the recovery process and how to cope with challenges throughout the process

Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, care for people of all ages who have functional problems resulting from back and neck injuries; sprains, strains, and fractures; arthritis; amputations; neurological disorders, such as stroke or cerebral palsy; injuries related to work and sports; and other conditions.

Physical therapists use a variety of techniques to care for their patients. These techniques include exercises; training in functional movement, which may include the use of equipment such as canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers; and special movements of joints, muscles, and other soft tissue to improve mobility and decrease pain.

The work of physical therapists varies by type of patient. For example, a patient working to recover mobility lost after a stroke needs care different from that of a patient recovering from a sports injury. Some physical therapists specialize in one type of care, such as orthopedics or geriatrics. Many physical therapists also help patients maintain or improve mobility by developing fitness and wellness programs that encourage healthy, active lifestyles.

Physical therapists work as part of a healthcare team, overseeing the work of physical therapist assistants and aides and consulting with physicians and surgeons and other specialists.

A physiotherapist can help treat many conditions.

Musculoskeletal problems that physiotherapists can help with include:

• back pain
• knee pain
• sports injury recovery and prevention
• arthritis
• muscle aches and pains
• sprains and strains
• limb injuries

Other conditions or situations where physiotherapists can help include:

• bladder problems and incontinence
• cancer and complications from cancer treatment
• chronic (ongoing) conditions that affect your heart and lungs
• lymphedema
• neurological conditions, like Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
• rehabilitation after surgery
• stroke rehabilitation

Physiotherapists can also be involved in:

• treatment for developmental delays in children
• occupational health
• palliative care

Physiotherapists often work together with your doctor and other health care workers as part of a treatment team.

Physiotherapists provide treatment in a range of settings, including:

• clinics
• hospitals
• community health centers
• aged care facilities
• sports organisations
• disability services
• rehabilitation clinics

Acupuncture is one of the complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches within the VHA Whole Health System of care. Acupuncture is one of several techniques that make up the system of care provided by those trained in traditional medicine from China and other Asian countries. Acupuncture may refer to this whole system approach to health care or define the technique of acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is used to restore or maintain health.

Chiropractors work closely with your interdisciplinary health care team to diagnose and manage muscle and joint conditions, including treatment and care of spine-related neuro-musculoskeletal conditions to eligible beneficiaries.

The chiropractic approach to health care is holistic. Natural drugless, non-surgical methods of chiropractic treatment rely on the body's inherent recuperative abilities to promote healing. Chiropractic care restores, improves, and maintains your function, activity, and health.

We work with your providers to provide a complete health care treatment plan for you. We offer many treatments, including:

• Spinal manipulative therapy to relive pressure on your joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function.
• Electrical stimulation therapy, which sends mild electrical pulses to reduce pain and stimulate injured muscles or manipulate nerves.
• Soft-tissue mobilization, which uses gentle pressure or massage to relax tense muscles, reduce scar tissue, or stretch connective tissue.

EMG is a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). EMG results can reveal nerve dysfunction, muscle dysfunction or problems with nerve-to-muscle signal transmission.

Musculoskeletal disorders are conditions that affect your body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and nerves. The pain and discomfort associated with these conditions can create limited physical functioning and affect your overall quality of life. Our highly skilled physiatrists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing, treating, and directing an interdisciplinary rehabilitation plan for Veterans with acute and chronic pain to maximize the Veteran’s functional status.

Neurorehabilitation is a treatment program for Veterans with diseases, injuries, or disorders of the nervous system, such as stroke. Supervised by physiatrists, Neurorehabilitation can reduce symptoms and maximize the Veterans’ function.

Aquatic therapy involves utilizing the pool as a mechanism for conducting an aerobic exercise program for patients with pain, in particular chronic back and lower extremity pain. Aquatic therapy is just one of many innovative treatment methods offered to Veterans dealing with chronic pain and is designed to help Veterans improve their function and bring exercise back into their life. Veterans with chronic pain who have found most workout regimens too difficult have been able to participate in aquatic physical therapy. The class incorporates aerobic and strength building exercises.

Kinesiotherapy is the application of scientifically based exercise principles adapted to enhance the strength, endurance, and mobility of individuals with functional limitations or those requiring extended physical conditioning. Kinesiotherapy treats the effects of disease and injury through therapeutic exercise and education.

Kinesiotherapists evaluate and modify therapeutic exercise programs and fitness activities to increase strength and endurance. KT provides mobility aids and equipment training for you and your family.

OTs increase your independence and safety during daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and household tasks after injury or illness. OTs evaluate upper body function and your ability to re-learn self-care skills. OTs provides adaptive equipment and training to allow you to fully participate in self-care and daily household activities.

OT evaluation and treatment supports Veterans' engagement in everyday life activities that affect their physical, and mental health and well-being

Physical therapy improves your mobility by focusing on areas such as your balance, coordination, pain control, strength and endurance after injury or illness. Physical therapists work on your ability to get around your environment. They teach you exercises and train you and your family to use adaptive equipment to increase your independence in these areas.

Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a treatment plan.

Evidence-based services decrease disability, reduce pain, improve function and independence, prevent illness, promote wellness and restore quality of life.

The therapeutic recreation specialist evaluates your leisure interests prior to admission, your ability to continue those activities with or without adapting them, and helps you explore new areas of interest. This often includes activities to increase your interaction with others and help with community re-entry.

Speech Pathologists diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders which may result from cancer, stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, or other medical or neurological conditions for inpatients and outpatients.

These specialists provide a full range of diagnostic and rehabilitation services include:

• Diagnosing, treating, and managing speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders
• Instrumental evaluations of swallowing (modified barium swallow study, endoscopic evaluation of swallowing)
• Videostroboscopy for evaluation of voice
• Evaluation for augmentative or alternative means of communication
• Alaryngeal speech rehabilitation
• Interventions for cognitive-communication disorders after brain injury