Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be used to treat a number of orthopedic conditions. A physical therapist is a licensed individual who can perform physical therapy on injured individuals. A physical therapist will assist an individual during a period of recovery.

Physical therapy is designed to help an individual restore a normal amount of strength, activity and motion after surgery or an injury. An individual experiences physical therapy will perform certain therapeutic exercises, techniques and stretches that will help in recovery. Sometimes specialized equipment will also be used in coordination with the physical therapy activities.

Physical therapy is very important in the treatment of orthopedics for two reasons. The first reason is that orthopedic patients usually have a number of deficiencies that can be addressed by physical therapy. For example a patient with a knee condition can be taught exercises by a physical therapist that will increase the strength and mobility of the knee. The knee joint and muscles will be specifically targeted through a physical therapy program that will decrease the number of problems with the patient's knee.

The second reason that physical therapy is important in the treatment of orthopedic problems is that a physical therapist can use their knowledge in treatment, surgical procedures and anatomy in order to create a program that is designed to improve the physical condition of a patient.

Physical therapy involves the stretching and strengthening of specific muscles in the body. Stretching is a critical part of physical therapy because stretching is necessary in order to maintain a joint's range of motion. Stretching can allow an individual to return to normal activities such as climbing stairs or performing other daily tasks.

Strengthening is a major part of physical therapy because strengthening allows an individual to increase endurance, increase strength and to maintain healthy range of motion. Physical therapy deals with strengthening exercises that improve the function and mobility of an individual who has either had surgery or been injured.