Physical Therapy

Physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, aims to restore people’s physical function and movement when they are affected by illness, disability or injury. It can also help reduce a person’s future risk of illness or injury. Other benefits of physical therapy may include:

• Alleviating pain
• Improving mobility
• Promoting overall health and wellness
• Eliminating or delaying the need for surgery

Physical therapy is used to treat conditions affecting the joints, bones and soft tissues, such as:

• Back pain
• Foot pain
• Hip pain
• Knee pain
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Sports injuries

Patients with movement problems resulting from stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions may benefit from physical therapy.

Physical therapists specialize in preventing further physical injury or disability through prescribed exercise, patient education and hands-on care. Also referred to as physiotherapists in some countries, they are licensed and trained movement providers who help patients improve their physical functional ability and range of movement.

We treat patients of all ages whose function and movement are threatened by:

• Aging
• Abnormal conditions
• Diseases
• Disorders
• Environmental factors

You may find a physical therapy doctor in the following healthcare settings:

• Government agencies
• Home health
• Hospices
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Occupational settings
• Outpatient offices
• Private practices
• Rehabilitation centers
• Research centers
• Schools
• Sports and fitness centers

At RIM, our physical therapists examine and assess our clients to diagnose their physical condition. We evaluate the exam findings to make clinical judgments regarding our patients. Then we design and implement treatment programs and interventions that may help our patients improve their conditions. We also determine if a patient’s treatment would be within our capabilities or whether we must refer them to another healthcare professional.

During your consultation, our physical therapists may ask you to perform specific exercises to check whether you can do them properly at home. We will list the exercises for you and their sequence, if applicable. Follow the exercise routine at home as indicated. Ask your physical therapist to elaborate on how to do an activity so that you can perform it properly on your own.

Track your progress as you perform physical therapy. Take note of how often you do the recommended exercises, how you feel when performing them and what other sensations you may be feeling. Share these observations with your physical therapist on your next visit.

Physical therapy is an ongoing and continuous process. The key to taking advantage of its benefits is cooperating with your physical therapist and being consistent with your exercise routine. A physical therapy session may last 30 to 60 minutes. The frequency of your visits may depend on your condition or insurance coverage. As your condition improves, your visits may be shorter.

The long-term goal of physical therapy is recovery and pain relief. It may take some time to feel comfortable moving your injured area. While it is important to stick to the physical therapy routine, always speak up if something feels wrong. We care about your comfort, so tell us if you feel pain. Physical therapy is not a “no pain, no gain” approach. Pushing yourself too much through pain can do more damage.

Here are some recommendations a physical therapist may give depending on a patient’s condition:

• Exercises that target a specific body part – these aim to improve movement in a particular body part, and so must be done repeatedly within a time period
• Exercises that involve moving the whole body – such as swimming and walking can benefit people recovering from an injury or surgical procedure that affected their mobility
• Aquatic therapy or hydrotherapy – these exercises are usually performed in warm, shallow water to help support and relax the joints and muscles
• Mobility aids – such as a cane, walker or crutches to help a patient move around
• Manual therapy – a technique where a physical therapist uses their hands to massage, manipulate and mobilize the body issues to:
• Relieve stiffness and pain
• Improve blood circulation
• Promote relaxation
• Drain fluid more efficiently from the body
• Improve physical movement
• Acupuncture – aims to promote recovery and reduce pain by inserting fine needles into specific points of a patient’s body