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What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is a field of science concerned with the ability and quality of motor skills or large motor activities related to movement. The patient referred to physical therapy may be disabled or delayed by illness, accident, birth defect or complications. This may result in the patient having abnormal muscle tone, impaired balance, decreased functional movement, weakness, or poor coordination. A PT's role includes examination, evaluation, and interventions toward achieving the highest functional outcomes for each patient/client. Patient may attend therapy for 1-2 sessions, or continue on for many months depending on their age and level of disability. A treatment plan is developed which includes a home program for the patient/family/caregiver to carry out at home.
**Physical therapists (PT's) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PT's also help prevent conditions associated with loss of mobility through fitness and wellness programs that achieve healthy and active lifestyles. PT's examine individuals and develop plans using treatment techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.
Physical Therapy at PTS:
Because we specialize in working with children from birth to 18 years of age, therapy is incorporated into play utilizing toys such as: therapy balls, various swings, and riding toys to improve strength, balance and coordination. Physical therapists focus on movement dysfunctions and help children learn how to move independently or with assistive devices including walkers, wheelchairs, or crutches. We assess the need for braces or orthotics and perform evaluations for adaptive equipment. Our goal is to help each child reach his or her fullest potential to participate in meaningful life occupational such as play and self-care, as well as activities at school, home, and in the community. We use a variety of specialized treatment methods in order to maximize patient function including:
- Kinesiotaping
- Hippotherapy
- Myofascial release
- Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT)
- Pediatric massage
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
Click here for volunteer opportunities in therapy
**See our page on Classic Hippotherapy --a unique type of therapy for those with movement dysfunctions***
