Who are Physical Therapists (PTs)?

PTs are healthcare providers who are at the front line of the medical and preventative service professions. They examine, diagnose, and evaluate the extent of physical problems and treat patients who are suffering from physical injuries or disabilities by teaching them various therapeutic exercises and activities that strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and relieve pain.

 

Physical therapists are trained to move their patients and clients toward achieving the highest functional outcomes. Patients include accident victims and clients with work and sports related injuries, overuse injuries, postural problems, vertigo, lower back and neck pain, arthritis, fractures, tendonitis, fasciitis, and post surgical rehabilitation.

 

What is Sports Medicine?

Sports Medicine specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating injuries related to participating in sports and / or exercise, specifically the rotation or deformation of joints or muscles caused by engaging in such physical activities.

 

What do PTs do?

PTs provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. They also restore, maintain and promote overall health, wellness and fitness.

 

How do PTs work?

PTs provide manual techniques and are the foremost authorities on therapeutic exercise and activities of daily living. They also apply physical energies such as electrical stimulation, ultrasonic energy, thermal gradients, aquatic forces, and electromagnetic spectrum energies to promote healing, change tissue properties and alleviate pain and dysfunction.

 

How to get started?

In Pennsylvania, most insurances require a referral for physical therapy from a licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy, physicians assistant, nurse practioner, or podiatrist. Some insurances do allow "Direct Access" without a doctor's referral for a physical therapist with a Direct Access License.

 

" Those in need of physical therapy services have the right to go to whichever facility they choose. Even though it is legal for physicians to own and/or have a financial relationship with physical therapy practices in Pennsylvania, it is deemed a conflict of interest for the patient and is not supported by the American Physical Therapy Association " - APTA (http://www.mopt.org/pdf/POPTS.pdf).

 

Shippensburg Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine is an independent and locally owned physical therapy practice which does not participate in any financial relationship with it's referral sources.