Orthopedic physical therapy, or orthopedic PT, is a branch of treatment that specializes in treating musculoskeletal and neuromuscular injuries or conditions.
In this article, we’ll explore this specialized area of physical therapy and examine its many uses and benefits.
What Does Orthopedic Physical Therapy Treat?
Orthopedic physical therapy treats muscle and bone disorders, including musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders. Essentially, it manages and treats health issues related to bones, ligaments, joints, muscles, and tendons.
Common issues treated with this type of care include:
• Fractures
• Joint pain
• Muscle tears
• Post-surgery rehabilitation
• Sports injuries
• Sprains
• Strains
How Does Orthopedic PT Work?
Orthopedic physical therapies aim to improve range of motion, mobility, strength, and overall functionality. Treatment methods and modalities include therapeutic exercises, functional activities and movements, manual therapy or massage, and hot/cold therapy.
Another form of effective treatment includes proprioceptive training or neuromuscular reduction activities. Proprioception is your awareness of your body and where it is in space; it’s how you can pick up a fork and put it to your mouth without looking at it or how your body can accommodate walking on an uneven surface without spraining your ankle. This form of training improves skills that help with coordination and mobility.
The overall goal is to improve your mobility and strength so that your injured muscular-skeletal system can return to normal or optimized functionality.
Why is Orthopedic PT Important?
In many cases, orthopedic physical therapy is the first line of treatment for common injuries. Depending on the type and severity of the condition, treatment can last from a few weeks to several months.
The benefits of orthopedic physical therapy include:
Pain Relief
Orthopedic physical therapy reduces inflammation, improves your range of motion, and strengthens muscles weakened by illness or injury. This results in less pain, better overall mobility, and a return to an active lifestyle. Treating strained muscles with orthopedic PT can also reduce swelling and inflammation faster, giving you less pain and better results. Orthopedic PT can also help with many common pain complaints, including lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, knee tendonitis and most overuse injuries.
Improved Mobility
Orthopedic PT can often help restore a normal range of motion where it has been compromised. This improves quality of life because people can move more freely and without discomfort. For example, orthopedic physical therapy can help to improve motion and function in many joints by focusing on strengthening the muscles around it as a conservative option before undergoing surgery. Non-invasive therapies can often help patients recover from injuries faster and with less discomfort.
Injury Prevention
Orthopedic physical therapy may help address underlying muscle weakness or imbalances that often lead to pain or injury. Range of motion and strength exercises help your body build resilience and give you a better foundation, leading to improved quality of life through a more active lifestyle.
Find Out More at IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery
IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery is a trusted provider of orthopedic PT to thousands of residents from Chicago and surrounding areas in Illinois.
At our physical therapy clinics in the Chicagoland area, as well as Champaign, we offer a range of PT services and treatments, and our well-trained PT clinicians provide high-quality, expert care for any condition or concern you might have.
Request an appointment to begin your orthopedic PT program at one of eight convenient locations.
