What is Physical Therapy?
On the most simple terms, physical therapy is the treatment of movement disorders. Physical therapists treat movement by addressing impairments, or physical dysfunctions. These impairments lead to disability – the reason you are seeking help.
The human body is a complex system, and when finely tuned, can perform the most amazing tasks. Whether this be working to provide a living for one’s family, playing with a child, scaling mountains or running top speed through the forest, a physical therapist can assist you in returning to your desired task.
A physical therapist will evaluate, assess, and if appropriate, treat the impairments. This occurs through careful investigation into the cause of the dysfunction. The source of these dysfunctions can be in any or all of the foundational units of the human body:
- Musculoskeletal System
- bone, ligament/joint capsule, muscle, tendon
- Neurologic System
- brain, spinal cord
- Motor control, perception, emotions
- peripheral nerves
- sensation – awareness
- movement – nerve/muscle interface
- Integumentary System
- Hair, nails, and the largest organ, the skin
- Cardiopulmonary System
- Heart and lungs – arguably the most important part of the body
Now, not every impairment can be addressed by a physical therapist. If this is the case, a physical therapist will offer referrals such as your primary care doctor, nutritionist, or yoga therapist to ensure the additional needs are properly met.
Who are Physical Therapists?
Physical therapists are either Masters or Doctoral trained and professionally licensed clinicians. As described above, they are actively engaged in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal physical function. Thus, we facilitate improved quality of life.
Physical therapists embark on the application of skilled intervention requiring finely tuned attention and observation as well as honed physical and mental skill. This occurs along the entire continuum of a person’s life and injury cycles. From birth through end of life and from the emergency room to outpatient care, you will find physical therapists hard at work.
There are many rules and regulations that govern the practice of physical therapy. For more information, please visit the websites for the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy and the American Physical Therapy Association.
What health concerns can Physical Therapy address?
The experience and area of expertise of each physical therapist can vary somewhat. Jim’s varied experience affords him the ability to treat a variety of issues. These vary from treating impairments related to acute, sub acute, or chronic orthopedic injuries or surgeries; injuries from falls, near falls; vertigo, balance and vestibular system dysfunctions; to impaired fitness related to cardiovascular impairments.
If your specific need is not listed below, please contact him at jim@fit-llc.com or 928-814-8316. We can discuss possible options for treatments and referrals to additional providers as needed.
- Acute injuries related to:
- snow shoveling, slips/falls, mountain sports, or running
- back, neck, shoulder, knees, ankle/foot
- Functional impairments related to:
- surgery recovery
- spine, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle
- fracture recovery
- arms, spine, pelvis, hips, legs, knees, or ankles
- falls recovery
- fractures, bumps, bruises, fear of falling again
- Balance disorders/vestibular system impairments
- vertigo, BPPV, falls with or without injuries
In-addition to injury recovery, Jim can assist with injury prevention. Consider an annual wellness exam and/or risk screening – why wait to get injured? Prevention is the best medicine!
And remember, don’t worry about traffic, limited parking, or long waits at the Emergency Department or your doctor’s office, Flagstaff Integrated Therapy comes to you!