Physical Therapy

Physical therapists can understand your injury or chronic condition when they can see and physically and thoroughly examine the area.

For example, if your knee is injured, shorts or loose fitting pants allow access to the knee. For neck or shoulder issues, a tank top or loose shirt allows the physical therapist to examine and treat that area.

All DOC PT locations have gowns available and private rooms where you can remove the garments necessary for the therapist to access the area for treatment.

Physical therapy is individualized, meaning rehabilitation and recovery is primarily based on you. Physical therapists work under the premise that no two bodies are the same, which complicates giving an exact timeline for recovery. The type and extent of your injury and your personal goals for therapy play a vital role in your rehabilitation.

DOC's physical therapists work with you to find beneficial treatments to relieve your symptoms and pain. They educate you about ways to self-manage your pain and recovery. The goal of PT is to help you reach your wellness goals.

Research shows that 80% of diagnoses made by physical therapists come from the interview or history portion of the exam. Physical therapists are trained to ask appropriate questions during the exam to understand your symptoms and provide an accurate diagnosis.

The objective or evaluation portion of the exam includes:

• Range of motion
• Measurements of motion
• Special tests to confirm the diagnosis
• Functional movement screens to assess body movement
• Balance testing
• Palpation tests for tenderness, tightness, pain, or discomfort

Following the evaluation, the DOC physical therapist discusses the diagnosis with you, answers your questions, and creates a comprehensive treatment plan based on your goals for physical therapy!

Our PT’s examine each individual as ‘a whole’ in collaboration with the DOC health care team and patient.

Together, we develop a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at reducing pain, improving and promoting mobility in addition to restoring function and preventing disability.

Today’s physical therapists are required to receive a doctorate degree from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure exam. Throughout the three years of post-graduate training at a physical therapy program, student physical therapists spend 80% of their curriculum learning and understanding the human body with courses in anatomy, biomechanics, pathology physiology, pharmacology, radiology, neurology and orthopedics. Students spend the next 20% in clinical rotations at a variety of settings before becoming an entry-level practitioner.

DOC physical therapists are life-long learners meaning after receiving a degree, our physical therapists pursue continuing education courses in a variety of techniques and current physical therapy research. We believe it is important that our therapists keep up-to-date as technology and research keeps evolving and changing.