Many people have heard of or used physical therapy. However, there are many things about what physical therapy is and what it does that even people who have used it might not know. Here is some interesting information that can help you increase your understanding of physical therapy: 

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a type of care that’s primarily aimed at helping reduce pain and improve your ability to move. Millions of people take advantage of this type of care annually. In fact, researchers estimate that 11.7 million U.S. adults took advantage of physical therapy in 2011. 

What are three things you might not know about physical therapy?

In spite of the millions who use physical therapy every year, it’s estimated that less than 10% of the people who could benefit from physical therapy actually use it. In part, this could be related to the things about physical therapy that people don’t know. Three things many people don’t know about physical therapy are: 

1. Doctor’s referrals aren’t always required — Being able to see a physical therapist without a doctor’s referral is called direct access. In Wisconsin, you can be evaluated and treated by a physical therapist for a previously diagnosed medical condition without seeing your doctor first. Additionally, no doctor’s diagnosis is required for therapy related to: 

• Sports injuries
• Athletic conditioning
• Injury prevention

2. Physical therapists teach you how to treat your own pain — Many patients don’t think of a physical therapist first for treating common forms of pain, like back pain. Instead, they may think of a chiropractor. Physical therapists are trained to place greater emphasis on making patients independent. They work to achieve this goal by educating patients about their condition and creating customized exercise plans.

3. Physical therapy can help prevent surgery — Some physicians prescribe physical therapy before recommending surgery, but some still don’t. Poor mechanics cause the vast majority of orthopedic conditions. Physical therapy is often the most effective first step at dealing with poor mechanics. Wondering if surgery is really necessary for your condition? A physical therapy assessment can indicate whether or not nonsurgical treatment options may work for you.

Want to know more about what physical therapy is? Franklin Rehabilitation can help!

You don’t have to continue wondering about what physical therapy is. Our team at Franklin Rehabilitation is always ready to talk to people about the physical therapy we offer and how it can help you. We offer complimentary screenings that can reveal issues that are causing you pain. Our team can then build you an individualized therapy plan designed to treat the symptoms of your specific problem or injury. 

Ready to start getting physical therapy from our experienced team? Contact us today for more information or to schedule a complimentary screening.