Physical Therapy in Smithfield NC
Physical therapy is a type of rehabilitative healthcare that helps patients manage their injuries or health conditions that impact movement. A physical therapist works with the patient to improve their range of motion, decrease pain and inflammation, and improve overall function.
The first step of physical therapy is an evaluation, and your physical therapist will review your health history and determine the best treatment option for your condition. They will also assess your range of motion and strength, either by using manual techniques or through functional tests for the specific parts of the body impacted by the injury or illness. Each plan of care is customized to fit each patient.
Exercises make up a large part of physical therapy, and our physical therapist will teach you a set of exercises that will help you increase your mobility, flexibility, and strength. They may also use passive movements or treatments like hot and cold therapy, dry needling, and massage.
Why You Might Need Physical Therapy
Whether you’ve suffered an injury in the gym or an accident at work, it’s likely that you will benefit from physical therapy. It’s been proven to reduce pain and improve movement and strength. Physical therapists are trained in how the body moves, which means they can help prevent future injuries. For example, when you bend over to pick something up off the floor, a physical therapist can show you how to do it in a way that doesn’t put too much strain on your back.
PT sessions often involve learning exercises to do in your own time that will improve your mobility, strength, and coordination. Our PTs will encourage you to move as much as possible throughout your day, giving you the best chance of keeping your results long after you leave the clinic. They may also recommend specific dietary changes and sleep habits to support your recovery.
Physical Therapy for Athletes in Smithfield, NC
From recreational paddle ball to high-intensity group interval training workouts, and from competitive youth sports teams to professional athletes, there are more athletes of all ages than ever before. Whether they are kicking a field goal or running a 5K, every athlete needs to train and play in peak form to maximize performance and minimize injury.
To optimize athletic performance, athletes need to develop and sustain a combination of power, strength, and speed. This often requires a significant amount of rotational load on joints and body parts. The ability to generate and control rotational force over multiple joints is one of the main focuses of advanced physical therapy for athletes.
Physical therapists also work to help athletes understand their injuries, manage pain and stay motivated through the recovery process. The length of physical therapy varies and is dependent on the severity of an injury, but our physical therapists will work with you to create goals to achieve in order to promote progress and help keep you on track.
Pediatric Physical Therapy in Smithfield, NC
Children may need physical therapy for a variety of reasons. Pediatric physical therapy helps infants, kids, and teens with orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and neurological and genetic disorders. Pediatric PT helps them achieve their developmental milestones at the right time and helps them manage their symptoms. This can be especially helpful in cases of chronic conditions like cerebral palsy, rheumatoid arthritis, and spinal cord injury.
In addition to developing individualized treatment plans, pediatric PTs also assess and provide education to children on their injuries and how they can prevent future problems. They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals to help them provide the best possible care for their patients. Moreover, they offer support to families by educating them about how to manage their child’s condition at home. Lastly, they can provide recommendations on orthotics, prosthetics, and wheelchair seating systems. This helps ensure that the child can participate in activities at school, daycare, and within their community.
Adult Physical Therapy in Smithfield, NC
For adults, physical therapy can decrease pain and symptoms related to a neurological disease or traumatic injury. A licensed physical therapist can also help with the rehabilitation of a person with lymphedema and pulmonary conditions.
In addition to helping people with musculoskeletal problems, our physical therapists can provide specialized treatment for balance and fall prevention as well as help determine what is contributing to achy joints and muscles and construct a comprehensive plan designed around your lifestyle to mitigate future pain and injury. Often, these plans include strategies like massage and stretching techniques, manual lymphatic drainage, multilayer bandaging to reduce swelling, and exercise instruction.
Contact for Advantage Therapy for Physical Therapy in Smithfield, NC
At Advantage Therapy, our physical therapists are here to help injured or ill patients improve movement and manage pain. If you or someone you know is in need of or is considering physical therapy, contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started feeling good in your body.