Orthopedic physical therapy is the specialty practice of evaluating the patient’s body and its movements. As a physical therapist we specialize in optimizing movement which may be altered from a variety of circumstances. One way happens to people who maintain habitual postures. When you think of someone who sits at a desk or performs repetitive tasks, they are predisposed to abnormal forces which can lead to musculo-skeletal pain or limitation. Physical therapists can help modify the work environment to help minimize forces while at the same time make the patient more tolerant to those forces so that there is not tissue breakdown and therefore pain.
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As an orthopedic physical therapist we also specialize in helping people who are having joint issues. As we age there can be degenerative changes that occur in our joints. The joints that come to mind first are of course the knee and hip. In those situations, physical therapists help a patient to develop a plan that will prevent limitation in daily activities as well as hobbies while at the same time help them with pain management and prevention of surgery in a very holistic way which is proven by research to help in most cases.
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Another way an orthopedic physical therapist can help a patient, which in my opinion is the most effective is in injury prevention. We are trained to do thorough assessments of your nervous and musculo-skeletal systems to see if they are performing optimally. I bring up the example of doing your yearly physical with your primary care doctor. We all know the value of having a physician listen to our heart, check our blood pressure, perform blood work and check in on our internal systems to ward off disease and help cure our ailments. Why not also have a yearly checkup with your movement specialist who can help you stay active in a noninvasive way by warding off potential injuries before they happen and sideline you from doing the things you enjoy.
There is a great resource for consumers of health to educate themselves on their options when it comes to treating pain and limitation. There is a movement called GetPT1st which highlights in more detail the benefits of seeing an orthopedic physical therapist. I urge you to check out this resource and see if physical therapy will be right for you.
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If you are in the Little Rock area, there is an orthopedic clinic specialist which is a credential that very few physical therapists have in the country let alone the state. He is willing to help analyze your movement, educate you on a specific plan of care catered to your needs, and empower you by teaching you what you need to do at home to get the best timely outcome.
Check out www.pinnacledpt.com and Dr. Brian Murphy for more information.