When should you see a physical therapist?

Physical therapy focuses on the evaluation, management and prevention of disorders of human motion. As such, a visit with a physical therapist can lead to effective treatment for restoring mobility.

Brandon Dirk, a Sanford Health physical therapist in Bismarck, North Dakota, who specializes in orthopedics and sports-related injuries, answers frequently asked questions about why physical therapy can be an important healing tool.

What does a physical therapist do?

Physical therapists evaluate and treat people with a variety of injuries and impairments including helping people improve their range of motion and their strength. They can help reduce pain and improve patients’ ability to walk, run, jump – whatever it takes to help them get back to reaching their goals.

What can physical therapy help with?

Physical therapy helps people meet their physical goals. That goal might mean getting better at walking or running or playing sports. It can be about being able to get out of bed or getting out of a chair or improving any kind of functional impairments.

Physical therapy can help people rehabilitate after surgery. In general, it can help anyone who comes in with an injury or an impairment. They can come directly to us, and we can evaluate them and help them reach their goals.

Are there different types of physical therapists?

There are quite a few different types:

• Acute care. You have acute care therapists in the hospital helping people to be able to move after a variety of different types of injuries or conditions.

• Rehabilitation. There are also rehab facilities for people who are dealing with the effects of strokes or traumatic brain injuries.

• Orthpedic. There are orthopedic therapists for people who have had injuries or are dealing with pain in the joints, muscles, tendons or nervous system.

• Women’s. There is women’s health therapy to help with many ailments such as pelvic pain, back pain during pregnancy or problems with incontinence.

• Sports. There are sports therapists to help athletes to return to sport and activity.

• Hydrotherapy. There are therapists that focus on hydrotherapy – for people who improve strength, motion and function in the pool.

• Neurological and vestibular. We also have outpatient neuro therapy – for people who have had falls or neurological impairments or injuries – and vestibular therapy for people who have dizziness or vertigo symptoms.