A PT Primer: What to expect and how we can help
When injuries, surgeries, or illnesses interfere with daily life and well-being, a comprehensive plan of care is vital to restoring health and function. The Path to Healing, Step by Step Step Two: Keep all of your scheduled appointments or re-schedule promptly when necessary. Step Three: Communicate clearly with your therapist. Step Four: If you have a home exercise program, then it’s important to work on it. Treatments and Therapies 
Physical therapy is a long-established medical discipline that doctors recommend as part of that plan, to increase mobility and flexibility, strengthen muscles, and reduce pain and fatigue.
The most common indications for physical therapy include:
Step One: Call
The hallmark of APT’s high quality of care is the development of a treatment plan tailored to your needs. At your first appointment, you will be asked to provide information about your condition, medical history, pain, and how the condition affects your life. Your therapist will discuss the particulars about your condition with you and devise an individualized treatment plan that you will begin.
Physical therapy is not a quick fix: Your improvement and success with the treatment plan depend upon your commitment to working regularly with your therapist!
He or she will ask about your pain level, improvements, and issues at each session. Tell him or her exactly how you feel, what seems to be working and what may not be working. This helps your therapist adjust your treatment plan for your benefit.
You will make faster progress and see better results if you stick with the plan! Don’t give up if you are uncertain or discouraged: Speak with your therapist about options and ask for advice.
(--That means treadmills, right?--)
Um, maybe -- in time. But physical therapists have many treatments they use to alleviate pain and inflammation, help with flexibility and mobility, and slowly strengthen muscles. Remember that when designing your personalized care, your APT therapist will take many factors into consideration and develop a plan and goals that you can accomplish. This may or may not mean treadmills!
These are some of the many therapies used at APT:
Ultrasound ~ the sound waves offer pain relief and muscle relaxation by sending penetrating warmth deep into the tissues.
Massage ~ relaxes tense muscles and provides blood flow to tissues to speed healing.
Electric Stim. ~ a device that disrupts the pain signal by sending out a light, tingling current via electrodes on the skin.
Hivamat Deep Oscillation® Therapy (DOT) ~ a state-of-the-art machine that combines massage and electro-static current to reduce pain and inflammation and assist in healing injured tissue.
Aquatic Therapy ~ an exercise regimen performed in a pool. APT offers Aquatic Therapy every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m.-Noon. Call for information.
Exercise Programs ~ performed in-clinic and at home to increase strength, tone and flexibility.
For more information on topics related to physical therapy and medical conditions, see our Education and Resources page.
