Misconceptions of Physical Therapy, part 4

Myth: Physical Therapy is only exercise based

Truth: Physical Therapists and Assistants obtain specialized education and training that includes multiple aspects and approaches to treatments. Although there is a strong focus on exercises during PT, there are also other approaches (discussed below) used to help patients achieve their goals. The strong focus on exercises is typically geared toward goals for strengthening, stabilization, building endurance, and increasing tolerance for functional movements for all activity levels. After all, the vision statement of the Physical Therapy profession is “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience” (https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/leadership-and-governance/vision-mission-and-strategic-plan).

                As mentioned above, there are approaches other than exercise used during Physical Therapy sessions to decrease movement system limitations. Some of these approaches and techniques include but are not limited to: stretching, soft tissue work, joint mobilizations, balance training and education.

Stretching – muscles have an elastic principle: they increase and decrease in length throughout movement and positioning. If a muscle is not able to achieve the proper length required for full range of motion, flexibility, or appropriate tissue tone, the muscle can be lengthened to work toward structural re-education and allowance of motion gains.

Soft Tissue Work – when muscles, soft tissue (fascia, skin), ligaments, or tendons are impacted by increased tone, stiffness, swelling, or pain, specialized forms of soft tissue mobilization can be beneficial. Benefits of soft tissue work can include swelling reduction, increased mobility, improved stability, and decreased pain. There are multiple methods of soft tissue work, some of which require further specialized training.

Joint Mobilizations – when joint movements are limited by reduction of joint space, soft tissue restrictions, healing after an injury or surgery, or position of components of a joint, we can manually assist the joint to move through a movement it won’t do on it’s own. While increasing mobility and function of a joint are the primary purposes of mobilizations, they can also result in reduced pain.

Balance training – That’s right, Physical Therapy can also help with balance deficits! Sometimes balance issues can stem from weakness. Sometimes they can stem from development of fatigue due to decreased endurance. Sometimes they can stem from a dysfunction with the vestibular (balance) system in our bodies. There are hands on maneuvers that can be used when balance deficits are caused by a vestibular dysfunction, as well as many methods of balance challenges that can be performed to decrease the effect of other balance deficit causes.

 Education – There is some truth to feeling better when you know the WHY related to something not being right. Exercises and stretches can be done incorrectly, decreasing their effectiveness. We can teach you ways to make interventions the most effective for your needs. Education also allows for the ability to know how to help yourself in the future  if a limiting or painful condition presents itself again.