Physical therapists are skilled at diagnosing and treating injuries, illnesses and conditions of the musculoskeletal system. In order to be a successful physical therapist, you need to have an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But how can you be sure that you’re diagnosing correctly?
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a type of healthcare that helps people with injuries and illnesses. Physical therapists help people to improve their movement and function by working on their symptoms and disabilities. They can also help people to learn self-care skills, such as how to exercise and manage pain.
What are the Different Types of Diagnoses that a PT can Make?
PTs can make a variety of diagnoses, depending on the specific situation. Here are a few examples:
-Structural: This is when the PT suspects that there is something wrong with the structure of a person’s body, such as arthritis or a herniated disc.
-Functional: This is when the PT suspects that there is something wrong with how a person’s body functions, such as difficulty moving or breathing.
– Movement Disorders: If someone has trouble moving their arms, legs, or other parts of their body, the PT may diagnose them with a movement disorder.
– Neurological: This is when the PT suspects that there is something wrong with the brain or nervous system.
– Sports Medicine: If someone is experiencing pain or problems while participating in sports, the PT may diagnose them with sports medicine.
– Rheumatology: If someone is experiencing pain or problems due to rheumatoid arthritis, the PT may diagnose them with rheumatology.
– Orthopedic: If someone is experiencing pain or problems due to an injury, the PT may diagnose them with orthopedic medicine.
– Pediatrics: If someone is experiencing pain or problems due to a child’s injury, the PT may diagnose them with pediatric medicine.
– Pain Management: If someone is experiencing pain that is preventing them from functioning normally, the PT may help them find a way to manage the pain.
– Physical Therapist Assistant: This is a certification that allows PTAs to provide physical therapy services.
– Rehabilitation: If someone has suffered an injury and needs help getting back to their normal lifestyle, the PT may refer them to a rehabilitation center.
– Nutritional: If someone is experiencing problems with their diet or their weight, the PT may diagnose them with nutritional counseling.
– concussion: If someone has been diagnosed with a concussion, the PT may help them manage the concussion and return to their normal activities.
– spine: If someone has been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, the PT may help them manage the spine and return to their normal activities.
How do Physical Therapists Work with Patients?
Physical therapists work with patients to help them regain their mobility and function. To do this, therapists must first assess the patient’s situation and history. After that, they will develop a plan of care that will help the patient achieve their goals. In some cases, physical therapists may also refer patients to other specialists or treatments.
Physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, and abilities. They typically use a combination of massage, stretching, and exercises to help patients recover from injuries or restore their mobility and function.
Physical therapists typically work with patients in a clinic or office setting. They may also provide home visits or therapy services through remote video or telephone consultations.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of CPT?
Physical therapists can diagnose CPT by looking for the following signs and symptoms:
-Inability to move the extremities or trunk
-Weakness in the arms, legs, or torso
-Loss of range of motion in joints
-Pain in the joints-Difficulty with movement or exercise
-Problems with balance or coordination
– Difficulty breathing
How do Physical Therapists Diagnose CPT?
Physical Therapists are trained to look for certain physical signs and symptoms of various conditions in order to make a diagnosis. One of the ways Physical Therapists diagnose CPT is by looking for certain muscle abnormalities.
Some common muscle abnormalities that Physical Therapists look for in patients with CPT include:
-Muscle tightness or dysfunction
-Muscle weakness or atrophy
-Muscle bulging or protrusion
-Muscle imbalance or asymmetry
-Muscle pain or tenderness
Conclusion
Given the broad spectrum of conditions that can be treated by physical therapists, it is sometimes difficult to determine if a patient has a condition that would benefit from PT intervention. However, there are a few key questions that your therapist will ask in order to assess whether or not PT would be beneficial for an individual:
-Does the person have pain? Physical therapy can help people with pain manage it effectively and decrease its impact on daily living.
-Does the person feel limited in their activity levels due to their condition? PT can help patients increase their range of motion and improve function.
-Is there evidence of ROM (range of motion) decline? ROM decline is one hallmark sign that suggests someone might benefit from physical therapy interventions.
