Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and treat physical abnormalities that arise from injuries, disabilities, diseases, or other conditions. Physical therapy facilitates a shorter recovery window and also leads to more favorable results afterward. Do you need a physical therapist but need some assistance with your medical costs? Are you wondering: “Where do I find a physical therapist who takes Medicare near me?” Then keep reading to learn more about accessing affordable physical therapy and what you should expect from participating in these sessions.
How Do I Find a Physical Therapist Who Takes Medicare Near Me?
A physical therapist is a trained and licensed medical professional who can effectively diagnose physical abnormalities, restore, maintain, and promote physical function, mobility, and activity.
Licensed physical therapists are found in many healthcare environments. These include outpatient offices, private practices, hospitals, hospices, rehab centers, nursing homes, home health, sports and fitness, schools, workplaces, government agencies, and research centers.
Apart from getting a referral from your family doctor, you can also search for a physical therapist online on the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) website. Finding the right physical therapist depends on several factors such as geographical location and their area of specialization. Furthermore, you need to find a therapist who takes Medicare. You can ask your doctor or visit the Medicare website to get the contact details of physical therapists near you who are willing to accept Medicare. You can also do an internet search to discover which practices are willing to take your health insurance.
What You Can Expect From Physical Therapy
A physical therapist helps to care for persons in all phases of recovery, from the initial diagnosis to the restorative and preventive stages. Physical therapy may be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments.
Some persons may be referred to a physical therapist by their doctor, but others may seek therapy for themselves. Regardless, you can expect the following from your physical therapy sessions:
- Complete a physical exam and evaluation – including a detailed health history. This includes certain testing procedures such as the evaluation of posture, movement and flexibility, muscle and joint motion, and performance.
- Receive a clinical diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, as well as short- and long-term goals.
- Receive physical therapy treatment and intervention based on your therapist’s evaluation and diagnosis.
- Receive and follow self-management recommendations.
Physical therapists often train people in exercises that they can do at home and help them function effectively.
Common Conditions That Are Treated With Physical Therapy
Physical therapists specialize in treating a variety of medical conditions such as:
- Cardiopulmonary conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF), and post-myocardial infarction (MI).
- Hand therapy interventions for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.
- Sports-related injuries – for example concussion and tennis elbow.
- Musculoskeletal dysfunctions like back pain, rotator cuff tears, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).
- Neurological disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction, and traumatic brain injuries.
- Pediatric concerns such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy.
- Women’s health conditions, like urinary incontinence and lymphedema.
- Other conditions such as burns, wound care, and diabetic ulcers.
Exploring the Benefits of Physical Therapy
Physical therapists are movement experts who use hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movements to enhance their patients’ quality of life. You will not only work with physical therapists but also physical therapy assistants to help you achieve your physical health goals. Let’s review some of the benefits of physical therapy:
Improve Your Ability to Move
Your physical therapist will identify, diagnose, and treat your movement issues. Pain-free movement is important for your quality of life, earning ability, and independence.
Personalized Care
Physical therapists are experts at designing unique treatment plans to meet each patient’s health needs and goals. Physical therapy will not only help you improve your mobility, but also manage pain and other chronic conditions, enjoy a swift recovery, and prevent future injuries and chronic diseases.
Easy Access to Therapy
The good news is that physical therapy is quite accessible. There are physical therapists and their assistants in most medical facilities such as hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, sports and fitness facilities, schools, workplaces, and nursing homes.
Active Participation in Your Recovery
Your physical therapist will encourage you to take an active role in your treatment. Furthermore, they will also work with other members of your health team to ensure that you have a swift and holistic recovery.
Avoid Opioids
While there’s a place where prescription opioids are appropriate, it is best to limit their use. This allows you to rely more on physical therapy as a non-drug method to help you deal with long-term pain. With reduced opioid use, you also minimize your exposure to depression, overdose, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms when you finally stop using them.
Avoid Surgical Intervention
We recommend that you try physical therapy before undergoing expensive and invasive surgery. Some conditions such as meniscal tears, knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disk disease are easily treated with physical therapy.
Types of Physical Therapy
Let’s discuss a few of the categories of physical therapy:
Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Orthopedic physical therapists treat injuries of the muscles, bones, ligaments, fascias, and tendons. So if you suffer a sprain, fracture, tendonitis, bursitis, or any chronic medical issue, or need rehab after orthopedic surgery, this is the type of therapy that you will need. This includes undergoing manual therapy, joint mobilizations, strength training, mobility training, and other modalities.
Geriatric Physical Therapy
Older patients often develop conditions that affect their mobility and physical function, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, and incontinence. This type of physical therapy seeks to restore mobility, reduce pain, and increase physical fitness levels.
Neurological Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is also useful in assisting persons with neurological disorders (for example, Alzheimer’s disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke). Treatment may also enhance limb responsiveness, treat paralysis, and improve muscle strength to reduce muscle atrophy.
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Did you know that physical therapy also plays a role in recovering from a cardiac attack? Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation help persons to recover and build their endurance and stamina.
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Children and adolescents may suffer from developmental delays, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, torticollis, and other conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. Pediatric physical therapy serves to diagnose, treat, and manage these conditions that impact infants, children, and adolescents.
Wound Care Therapy
A wound needs to receive enough oxygen and blood to improve circulation and completely heal. Physical therapy that involves the use of manual therapies, electric stimulation, and compression therapy will help to treat such difficult wounds.
Vestibular Therapy
Vestibular therapy treats balance problems that arise from inner ear conditions. This type of physical therapy involves several exercises and manual techniques that can help patients regain their usual balance and coordination.
Decongestive Therapy
For patients who suffer from lymphedema and other conditions that lead to fluid accumulation, physical therapy can provide relief. Decongestive therapy helps to drain these fluids and brings pain relief.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Patients may suffer from urinary or fecal incontinence, urinary urgency, and pelvic pain after severe injuries, surgery, or a health condition. Certain rehabilitation activities will help to improve these conditions.
Other Types of Physical Therapy Treatment
Physical therapy treatment may involve:
- Ultrasound: This improves blood flow and healing by heating the tendons, muscles, and tissues.
- Phonophoresis: Uses ultrasound to deliver certain medications like topical steroids. These reduce the presence of inflammation.
- Electrical stimulation (or E-stim): This approach uses topical electrodes on your skin to minimize pain and improve your functional capabilities. One type of E-stim is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Anti-inflammatory medications are also used with certain E-stim modalities and are also called iontophoresis.
- Heat, moist heat, and cold therapy: These treatments are used to manage chronic pain by promoting blood flow and helping muscles to relax.
- Light therapy (phototherapy): Where special lights and lasers are used to treat some medical conditions such as depression.
Your physical therapist will evaluate your unique case and determine which treatments will best serve your needs.
Need Excellent Physical Therapy? Then Give Us a Call!
You no longer have to ask: “How do I find a physical therapist who takes Medicare near me?” and “What should I expect from physical therapy?” Do you live close to Shelton, CT? Then you need to pay us a visit at Moving With Hope to get expert physical therapy from licensed, experienced, and highly-effective medical professionals. We will also work with your existing medical team to provide you with the comprehensive treatment that you need. So contact us today to get started on a fulfilling journey to achieve your health and wellness goals.