What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is the process of recovering and improving movement, strength, range of motion and relieving pain by supporting and strengthening specific areas of the body, which have been limited by injury, illness, or surgery. The ultimate goal of a physical therapist is to improve quality of life by helping individuals achieve their best level of rehabilitation.
What can I expect from Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine?
At Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in Salt Lake City, the process of physical therapy involves working one on one with a physical therapist (also known as a PT) for your entire appointment. This goes against the widely accepted industry practice of seeing a PT for the first appointment only, or for the first 5-10 minutes and then the patient works with a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), aide, or technician, for the remainder of their visit. While PTAs work under the direction of the PT, a physical therapist is highly trained and specialized to diagnose and treat mobility problems using the best industry techniques. The Physical Therapists at Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in Utah have advanced and specialized education in their field of practice. One of these certifications is ASTYM-an advanced certification after normal physical therapy education is finished that emphasizes correct movement and tissue alignment. It is the preferred technique for many tendon injuries such as tendinitis, tendinosis, and tendinopathies. The technique is also used to treat:
● Plantar Fasciitis
● Shin splints
● Golfer’s Elbow, or medial epicondylitis
● Tennis Elbow, or lateral epicondylitis
● Carpal Tunnel
● Other chronic pain injuries
Having certifications like ASTYM and advanced education are only one of the reasons that the Physical Therapists at Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine of Utah provide better care and benefit to patients, while treating them for their entire appointment. All of the Physical Therapists at Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine have achieved their Doctoral level of education.
During a visit, your Physical Therapist will make strength, flexibility, and range of motion evaluations, then set goals and a treatment plan that will consistently be reevaluated based upon your individual needs and progress. The treatment schedule will vary by individual, but will most often include specific strengthening and flexibility exercises, hot/cold therapy, manual therapies performed by the physical therapist, and other techniques or therapies your PT feels would be beneficial. Your physical therapist will also provide you with a custom home physical therapy program, to speed up your recovery so you can get the most from Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.
The Physical Therapist will also communicate with your doctor or your primary health care professional, so that you not only receive the best care while you are at Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, but the next time you go to see your primary health provider, he/she will be well informed of your care in Physical Therapy.
Patients often worry that physical therapy will be painful, and therefore delay or avoid the therapy sessions, which can make their injury and pain ultimately worse. Physical therapy, when practiced correctly, should not be painful. In most cases, the exercises and techniques used should be no more uncomfortable than a stretch one would perform after exercising.
Who can benefit from Physical Therapy?
Anyone suffering from almost any type of pain or decreased range of movement can be greatly helped by a Physical Therapist. Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine routinely treats sports injuries, post-surgical, and pregnancy related ailments such as sciatic nerve and lower back pain. If you are unsure a Physical Therapist can help, Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine offers free Physical Therapy assessments in Salt Lake City. Because of the Direct Access laws in Utah, most patients do not need a referral from a doctor to see a physical therapist. Patients may not realize that many common ailments such as tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and other stress injuries, which are typically treated with pain medications and powerful steroid injections, can actually be treated with physical therapy without the side effects of medication. Also, many back and neck problems which are often referred to Chiropractors, may require the mobilization and stretching that a physical therapist is trained to perform and may also benefit from strengthening or stabilization to further prevent joints from moving “out of alignment”. Fast Track Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine will always look out for the patient’s best interest and will refer you to the appropriate professional if another outlet other than physical therapy would be your best option.