This is a question asked by many patients when referred to a Physical Therapist. Many movement disorders can be treated without invasive surgery, by the skilled evaluation, hands-on therapy, exercise, relaxation and various other techniques comprising Physical Therapy.

Physical Therapists are highly-trained healthcare professionals, who diagnose and treat medical and other health-related problems in people of all ages. They are especially skilled in treating illnesses and/or injuries that limit their normal physical functions. The ability to move and perform normal everyday tasks is something many people take for granted.
The PT will take a full history of the patient, and perform an in-depth physical examination. They then incorporate the physician’s opinion, laboratory, X-ray and imaging results. After gleaning all this information, they make a diagnosis and establish a management plan, according to the individual needs of the patient.

Physical Therapy is used to treat a wide variety of ailments, from newborn babies through teenagers with running injuries to senior citizens with arthritis, balance problems and even Parkinson’s disease. It is also used to treat those patients with repetitive strain injuries like low back pain, shoulder and ankle injuries, even carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, it assists in any injury that limits functional mobility.

The common management by Physical Therapy includes massage, manipulation, specific exercises to increase muscle tone, education to explain the use of the various regimes, interferential therapy and other methods.

Interferential therapy uses a mid-frequency current to treating muscular spasms and strains. The periodic pulsing produces a massaging effect over the affected area. This stimulates the body to produce endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain relievers; as a result it relaxes the strained or tensed muscle and leads to healing of the soft-tissue.
PTs work with individuals to avoid mobility loss, develop fitness programs to leading to a healthier, more active lifestyle with maximum functional ability. Their vision is for patients to have good mobility, ease of function and little or no pain, which is what it means to be healthy.