October celebrates the benefits of physical therapy

The healing process doesn’t stop when a person’s external wounds are healed. Many individuals who suffer from injuries or illnesses experience pain and movement limitations even after doctors declare them “healed.” These patients know the benefit of physical therapy, and they are the reason October is National Physical Therapy Month.

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What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy may sound easy to define, but the actual practice of this form of medicine is as complex as the muscles, ligaments, bones, and other body parts it treats. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) defines physical therapy as: “a plan of care using a variety of treatment techniques that help you move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.”

Physical therapy uses knowledge of how the body’s skeletal system works together to help patients regain motion they have otherwise lost through pain, scar tissue formation, or other issues. Usually centered around a series of progressive movements, exercises and stretches, physical therapy can make the difference in someone walking again or remaining wheelchair-bound.

All therapy plans are developed by licensed physical therapists and may be implemented by certified staff members. “Physical therapists apply research and proven techniques to help people get back in motion,” states the APTA.  “All physical therapists are required to receive a graduate degree – either a master’s degree or a clinical doctorate — from an accredited physical therapist program before taking the national licensure examination that allows them to practice. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices. They are trusted health care professionals with extensive clinical experience who examine, diagnose, and then prevent or treat conditions that limit the body’s ability to move and function in daily life.”

Similarly, Physical Therapy Assistants must also complete certain academic and licensing requirements before they are allowed to carry out a physical therapist’s instructions.

Success Stories

“I thought I would have to give up biking and hiking, and all the things that I like to do,” said Barbara Jones, who had scoliosis and related rod fusion surgery at age 15. “Secili (Barbara’s physical therapist) was absolutely affirmative that I’m going to get back to do that. She instilled it in me that I was going to get that 100 percent recovery—100 percent for me, not for the average person, but for me.”

After months of at-home and in-clinic exercises, Barbara was eventually able to get back on her bike and participate in Bike Virginia, a rigorous multiple day cycling road tour covering 300 miles.

Her success story is not unique; everyday, all over the country, physical therapists and their staff are helping people get back to being active. While many of these patients have debilitating disorders or diseases, some are just try to recover from necessary surgeries or injuries.

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Linda Conklin was water skiing when an accident caused her to almost lose her foot. It was considered a miracle that doctors were able to save the limb, but they warned Linda she might never be able to fully return to the active lifestyle she was accustomed to. Linda was determined not to let that fate come to pass, and she started physical therapy shortly after returning home from the hospital. Almost a year later, she started slowly jogging on a treadmill with the help of her therapist, and three months after that she had completed a 5K run.

“Without him, I honest to god would not be where I am today,” Linda said of her physical therapist.