Physical therapy is a rapidly growing profession, and why not?  Don't people inherently want to feel good?  Of course they do!   Any severe, sharp, or lingering discomforts wear down a person's morale.  Feeling good directly affects one's quality of life.

So What is Physical Therapy All About?
          Physical therapy is meant to preserve, develop, and restore optimal physical function.
  PT Magazine describes its purpose as the alleviation of pain, as well as the prevention of the onset and progression of impairment, function limitation, disability, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes.  Just as important, however, is the role physical therapy plays in not only helping people, but also in teaching them how to help themselves.

Going Through the Motions
          Physical therapists are committed to the alleviation of pain and discomfort, as well as to the long-term progress of the patient.  To ensure the best possible outcome, physical therapists integrate five elements of patient management:  1) examination; 2) evaluation; 3) diagnosis; 4) prognosis; and 5) intervention.  The examination, evaluation, and establishment of a diagnosis and prognosis are all part of the process that guides the therapist in determining the most appropriate intervention.

          Your first visit to the physical therapist is one of the most important because it gives both of you the opportunity to set the pace of your progress.  At this time, your initial evaluation will also take place, and one of  the most effective way to do this is to take a "whole body" approach to figuring out your main problem.  A number of tests and measures will be used to see how you respond; that way, your therapist will be better able to determine not just what the problem is, but where its source is located.  Tests include, but are not limited to, the following:

§         Aerobic capacity and endurance

§         Anthropometric characteristics

§         Attention & cognition

§         Assistive & adaptive devices

§         Community & work integration

§         Cranial nerve integrity

§         Environmental, home, & work barriers

§         Ergonomics & body mechanics

§         Gait, locomotion, & balance

§         Integumentary integrity

§         Joint integrity & mobility

§         Motor function

§         Muscle performance

§         Neuromotor development & sensory integration

§         Orthotic, protective, & supportive devices

§         Pain

§         Posture

§         Prosthetic requirements

§         Range of motion

§         Reflex integrity

§         Self-care & home management

§         Sensory integrity

§         Ventilation, respiration, & circulation

• Therapeutic exercises and activities.
• Functional training in self-care & home management
• Functional training in community & work integration
• Manual therapy techniques
• Prescription, application, and fabrication of devices & equipment
• Wound management
• Electrotherapeutic modalities
• Physical agents and mechanical modalities

            This plan of care will also include discharge planning, which begins early and is based on anticipated goals and desired outcomes as determined by periodic re-examination.  Through appropriate education and instruction, the patient is encouraged to develop health habits that will maintain or improve function, prevent recurrence of problems, and promote wellness.  It is extremely important that patients attend their sessions regularly, stick to their home exercise regimen, eat a healthy diet, and get sufficient sleep.  The relationship between the physical therapist and patient is a very interactive one in terms of physical contact and verbal communication.  The patient has the responsibility of communicating his/her needs and goals to the therapist so that optimal physical function can be restored as quickly and completely as possible.

At Medical Associates of North Georgia . . .

          Our program at Medical Associates of North Georgia is especially unique because it, like our other services, is in-house.  The physicians here are experienced and educated about which types of patients are appropriate candidates for physical therapy; therefore, appointments are made following physician referral.  In many cases, patients referred to our physical therapy department can be seen on the same day as they’ve seen their physicians.  Our services include outpatient orthopaedic injury (therapy); sports therapy; spinal disorders; and work-related injuries.  Treatment emphasis is on manual therapy and exercise treatments.

          The Physical Therapy department's goal for the program is to have it fit in with Medical Associates’ philosophy of being 'Dedicated to Caring'.  That philosophy is what has enabled our staff to establish themselves as providers of individualized, quality care.  

For more details about the Physical Therapy Program at Medical Associates of North Georgia, please call our Physical Therapy Coordinator at (770) 479-5535 or (800) 248-5535, Extension 325.