Who is a physical therapist? (Physiotherapist) Let's learn about this simply!

Have you ever heard of a 'physical therapist' or ' physiotherapist '? Maybe you've met one, or maybe a friend or relative has received treatment from one. These people are really important members of our healthcare team. So, today we'll talk about who a physical therapist is, what they do, and what help they can provide.

Who is this physical therapist?

Simply put, a physical therapist is a healthcare provider who helps you move your body, such as moving your limbs, walking, and lifting things, better, more easily, and without pain. They can also help you manage symptoms like pain, stiffness, and discomfort.

Most of the time, a physical therapist is needed when someone is injured in an accident or recovering from surgery . We call that rehabilitation (or `Rehab`) . Imagine someone falls and breaks their leg, or has a major operation. After that, physical therapists are the ones who train them to walk and function normally again.

But, rehabilitation is not the only thing these people do. They can help you treat certain health conditions , reduce your risk of future injuries , and help you move more confidently and safely. That means they can help you reduce the physical discomfort caused by certain illnesses and make everyday tasks easier.

A physical therapist can work with your primary care provider, the doctor you go to regularly, to help treat and prevent problems that make it difficult for you to move your body.

Are physiotherapists doctors?

This is a problem that many people have. Physical therapists are not medical doctors (MDs or DOs). This means they cannot diagnose conditions, prescribe medicine, or perform surgeries.

Usually, after you see another healthcare provider, a doctor, and get a diagnosis, you work with a physical therapist to improve your movement. The doctor says, " Physical therapy is good for this condition, go see a physical therapist." However, in some countries, for example in the United States, you can see a physical therapist directly without a referral from a doctor. In Sri Lanka, we usually see a physical therapist only after a doctor recommends it.

So what is `DPT`?

You've probably seen physical therapists with the letters `DPT` after their names. `DPT` stands for `Doctor of Physical Therapy` . This means that they have received a very high level of training in physical therapy and have met the necessary qualifications for it. To obtain this `DPT` degree, you usually have to study at a university for about three years. In addition, they must also have a basic degree, that is, a `Bachelor's degree`. So this is not an easy thing.

In some countries, for example in the United States, all physical therapists must pass special exams, such as the ``National Physical Therapy Examination``, before they can begin their practice.

What does a physical therapist do?

Okay, now let's look at what a physical therapist does exactly. What they do is create a ``customized set of exercises and movements`` that will help your body move properly. That means they don't give everyone the same exercises. They design these exercises specifically for you, taking into account many factors, such as your condition, age, and body type. They help you with the following:

• Manage pain: They provide various methods, exercises, and advice to help you reduce your back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and joint pain.
• Improve your range of motion: This means improving how far and how easily you can move a part of your body (e.g., an arm, leg, neck). Imagine you have a problem raising your arm because of a shoulder injury. They can help you improve that and return your arm to normal motion.
• Manage symptoms of a health condition that affects your mobility: Some conditions can make it difficult for us to walk, stand, or reach for things. Physical therapy can help you manage these symptoms and live as well as possible with your condition.
• Recover from injuries and prevent future injuries: They help you recover quickly from sports injuries, accidents, and other injuries, as well as strengthen your body and teach you how to use your body properly to prevent similar injuries from happening again.

What conditions do physical therapists treat?

Physical therapists can treat any problem that makes it difficult for you to move or use your body. This means they can help with a wide range of conditions, from minor back pain to major neurological disorders.

Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist to treat common conditions such as:

Commonly seen conditions

• Back pain: This is a problem that many people have. It can be caused by poor posture and incorrect lifting techniques.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A condition that causes numbness and pain in the fingers due to compression of a nerve that runs through the wrist. This is common in people who work at computers or type.
• Urinary Incontinence: Involuntary leakage of urine when coughing, laughing, or sneezing. There are specific exercises for this.
• Trigger finger and trigger thumb: A painful condition in which a finger feels stuck, making a "click" sound when bent.
• Lymphedema: A condition in which the body's lymphatic system becomes blocked, causing swelling, especially in the limbs. This can occur in some people after cancer surgery.

After injuries or trauma

You may need to work with a physical therapist to help you recover quickly and get back to your normal life after an injury or accident like this:

• Spinal Cord Injury: This is a very serious condition. Physical therapy is essential to achieve maximum function.
• Rotator Cuff Tears: Tearing of the muscles in the shoulder. It becomes difficult to raise and rotate the arm.
• Knee ligament injuries (e.g., ACL tears): Knee ligament tears are common, especially in athletes.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: A condition in which the jaw joint makes a clicking sound and causes pain when opening and closing the mouth.
• Concussions: A temporary injury to the brain caused by a blow to the head. Physical therapy may be required for balance, headaches, and other issues.
• Sports Injuries: Injuries such as muscle strains, sprains, and fractures that occur while running, jumping, or playing.

Long-term (chronic) conditions

Physical therapists also help people living with long-term conditions that make it difficult to move their bodies, such as those that can last a lifetime, manage their conditions and improve their quality of life:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A disease that causes difficulty breathing. Breathing exercises and strengthening the respiratory muscles can help.
• Cerebral Palsy: Movement difficulties caused by damage to the brain during childhood. Physical therapy is important from birth.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A disease that affects the nervous system, causing weakness and numbness in various parts of the body.
• Muscular Dystrophy: A genetic disease that causes the muscles to gradually weaken.
• Parkinson's Disease: A neurological disease that causes symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. Physical therapy can help with balance and walking.
• Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. There are specific physical therapy techniques to help clear mucus from the lungs.

What is the difference between a physical therapist and an occupational therapist?

This is another area where many people get confused. Physical therapists and occupational therapists are both healthcare providers who help you move your body and perform daily tasks. However, there are slight differences in the nature and focus of the therapy they provide.

Simply put, physical therapists usually focus on a specific area or part of your body, or a specific movement. For example, if you have a knee problem, the physical therapist will try to heal that knee and improve its strength, flexibility, and range of motion. In other words, the primary goal is to improve the physical function of the body.

However, an occupational therapist can help you overcome the difficulties you have in performing daily activities, such as eating, dressing, bathing, writing, and household chores, on your own. They aim to help you live independently . This may involve developing physical strength, overcoming mental and social challenges, and teaching you how to use equipment if necessary.

Imagine someone has had a stroke. While a physical therapist helps them learn to walk, an occupational therapist helps them learn to put on a shirt and eat again. Sometimes, you may need to see both a physical therapist and an occupational therapist at the same time.

What are the qualities of a good physical therapist?

A good physical therapist can vary from person to person, as everyone's needs and preferences are different. But, in general, it's important to work with someone who supports you, makes you feel safe, and can gain your trust.

Remember, physical therapy can be a bit painful at times, and it can be a lot of work. So it's important to find someone who is empathetic, understands your pain and discomfort, who you can talk to easily, and who will listen to you. You should be able to ask any questions or concerns you have without fear. They should be able to explain things to you, what the exercises you're doing will do, and how they will help you.

A good physical therapist is someone who is good at communicating, listens to you, understands your goals and helps you reach them, encourages you, and is patient. He or she should talk to you about your progress and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.

Finally, things to remember

A physical therapist can be a very important member of your healthcare team. They can help you improve how well (and easily) you can move your body, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life.

You may need to see a physical therapist temporarily while you recover from an injury, or as part of a rehabilitation program after surgery. Others continue to work with physical therapists to manage long-term conditions that affect their ability to move and control their body.

The most important thing is to talk to your doctor if you have any new symptoms like pain, stiffness, or numbness – especially if you have difficulty moving a part of your body normally or performing daily activities. They may suggest that you see a physical therapist to help manage these issues.

Never ignore pain or discomfort. Don't just assume, "It'll go away in a few days." Getting treatment early can help you recover faster, resolve the problem before it gets worse, and prevent long-term complications. Take care of your body!

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