What is Physical Therapy?

Broadly speaking, physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that includes the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of individuals with limitations in functional mobility.

We use physical therapy as a treatment plan to help a patient reach a goal through performing various movements, exercises, heat treatment, stretches, or massage. The individual goals and benefits vary based on the person, and may include a number of different methods.

Those who come to physical therapy vary, too—you could be a high school athlete injured during a game, a young adult who injures yourself during an exercise class, or an elderly patient who recently had a fall. By using physical therapy to evaluate, assess, and treat, we can find the best path forward to gaining function back to the injured area.

One of our main goals at Denville Medical is to utilize physical therapy to avoid surgery. We know that surgery is necessary at times, but there are ways to avoid it—usually by eliminating pain or gaining strength in the problem area.

How Can Physical Therapy Replace Surgery?

Pain Relief

With certain injuries and chronic pain, surgery and physical therapy can have similar results. Take lower back pain—physical therapy has been proven to have increased health benefits and most surgeons will recommend some sort of therapy before an invasive surgery.

Increase Strength

By focusing on the injured area and slowly regaining strength, physical therapists help patients naturally heal their bodies.

Age-Related Surgeries

Age-related issues like arthritis and osteoporosis are key indicators in reducing mobility. By working with a physical therapist, the effects of these conditions can be greatly slowed down. That means surgeries like a joint replacement can be ruled out—or at least pushed out—with the help of a physical therapist.

Create a Healthier You

We’re well-versed in using physical therapy for specific areas of our bodies that need the focus. But the benefits to our entire body is not lost on us. Using exercise, based on the patient’s abilities, can gradually improve health in other areas of the body as well, like cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions.

Prevent Future Accidents

We can’t predict the future, but we can help decrease the chances of injuring ourselves. By strengthening our body and improving core strength, our balance improves and so do our chances at an injury-free life.

What About When Physical Therapy Doesn’t Work?

Physical therapy is the best first step to take in non-life-threatening injuries. If injuries are too extensive or need an extra touch, surgery can be prepared for thoughtfully. Even if physical therapy doesn’t fully rule out these surgeries, you may still benefit from pre-surgery physical therapy, because it will allow you to recover from surgery faster thanks to feeling stronger prior to it.

Our goal at Denville Medical & Sports Rehabilitation is to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary methods to your health and wellness. We use a modern team approach resulting in a healthy; pain free & enhanced quality of life. Patient education to prevent recurrence and exacerbations of injuries is a key part of our treatment plan. Rehabilitation with a personalized treatment plan, using a collaborative approach as needed to achieve pain relief and wellness goals. Knowledge, expertise and experience are the cornerstones of our philosophy to ensure your best health. We utilize the latest cybex testing and strengthening equipment to assist in rehabilitation.