Physical Therapy In Swarthmore, PA

This article on physical therapy is brought to you by the Swarthmore personal injury attorneys at Schuster Law.

Physical therapy is often recommended for patients who have sustained an injury. What exactly is physical therapy and how does it help patients?

The Historic Beginnings Of Physical Therapy

For thousands of years, medical practitioners have understood that massage therapy and strength-building exercises can make a patient feel better. That being said, modern-day physical therapy was officially created in the 1920s when a group of women named themselves the"American Woman’s Physical Therapeutic Association".

The women in this group had been working closely with orthopedic specialists to help patients injured in World War I recover and to provide rehab therapy to children who had suffered complications due to polio. Their organization was the first to create the term physical therapy.

Over the next several decades, the type of care they provided became incredibly popular and physical therapy was recognized as an official form of medicine. In the 1950's, a standardized licensing test was created and issued for the first time.

Conditions That Are Often Treated With Physical Therapy

A few of the most common conditions that are treated by physical therapists include:

• Spinal Stenosis
• Disc Herniation
• Tendonitis
• Carpal Tunnel
• ACL Tear
• Rotator Cuff Injury
• Tennis Elbow

The treatment plans for each individual patient will differ and depend upon their medical history.

Can Physical Therapy Really Help?

Yes, physical therapy can help by:

1. Helping a patient avoid surgery.
2. Helping to strengthen the body so that recovering from surgery is easier.
3. Managing chronic illnesses and pain.
4. Improving balance so that falls don't cause additional injury.
5. Reducing pain.

A good physical therapist will discuss the expected outcome with each patient given their individual medical problems.

What Questions Should I Ask A Physical Therapist?

If you have been told to seek a consultation with a physical therapist, there are questions you should ask during the process to determine if that PT is a good fit for you. Questions may include:

1. How long have you been in practice?
2. Where did you receive your training?
3. What treatments do you recommend?
4. Have you treated other patients with conditions similar to mine?
5. How long will I be in physical therapy?
6. What do you think my long term prognosis will be?

Don't be afraid to ask any question that comes to mind - a good physical therapist should be willing to discuss the details of your medical condition, treatments, and ongoing care with you.

Physical Therapists Located Near Swarthmore, PA

Pinwheels Outpatient Therapy Center
700 S Chester Rd
Swarthmore, PA 19081
(484) 479-3475

Janet M. Clark, PT
223 S Chester Rd
Swarthmore, PA 19081
(610) 544-7061

Advance Physical and Aquatic Therapy
965 Baltimore Pike
Springfield, PA 19064
(610) 544-8500

Move Well Physical Therapy
413 Dartmouth Ave
1st Floor
Swarthmore, PA 19081
(302) 722-5833

Our Swarthmore personal injury legal team hopes that this post has provided you with some of the resources that you need. Be sure to check out our post on the best places to eat in this great town so you can grab a bite to eat after PT!