{"id":60924,"date":"2017-08-09T07:15:43","date_gmt":"2017-08-09T11:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=60924"},"modified":"2021-05-14T08:36:51","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T12:36:51","slug":"benefits-seeing-physical-therapist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/benefits-seeing-physical-therapist\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Things a PT Can Do That Your Doctor Can\u2019t"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo: Twenty20<\/a><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You\u2019re in your twelfth week of marathon training, and one morning you wake up to a sharp pain around your knee<\/a>. You wait a few hours and pop a few ibuprofens, but the pain doesn\u2019t subside. Who should you see? While it\u2019s always a safe bet to consult your doctor, chances are they\u2019ll recommend seeing a physical therapist, too. Physical therapists can help treat injuries<\/a> and ease joint pain, but they can also help you become fitter and healthier, overall.<\/p>\n

Dr. Karen Joubert<\/a>, PT, DPT, owner of Joubert Physical Therapy in Beverly Hills, says, \u201cA physical therapist can be your quarterback and help guide your team of experts \u2014 your personal trainer, nutritionist, doctor \u2014 towards your fitness goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Physical therapists are trained to recognize postural distortion patterns and other habits that could predispose you to injury<\/a> on and off the field, says Dr. Alicia Ferriere, PT, DPT, FAFS, at Finish Line Physical Therapy.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhysical therapists are movement specialists trained to keep the musculoskeletal system healthy,\u201d Ferriere says. \u201cThey are educated to recognize postural habits<\/a> and biomedical disadvantages of each individual\u2019s unique body.\u201d<\/p>\n

How exactly? Read on to learn how a physical therapist can be a crucial part of your health team.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>10 Exercises That Could Land You in Rehab, According to PTs<\/a>       <\/strong><\/p>\n

What Physical Therapists Can Do (That Your Doctor Can\u2019t)<\/h3>\n

 <\/strong>1. Assess your injury risk.<\/h3>\n

The same way you see your primary care doctor for an annual check-up, Ferriere recommends getting a full movement screen<\/a> and postural assessment from a physical therapist. Movement screens can let you know where your weaknesses are, and where it\u2019s most important to focus your efforts. \u201cA physical therapist can pick out subtle postural habits that could predispose you to injury depending on your activity. Being aware of these habits, in addition to knowing how to work on them, gives you the tools to stay injury-free all year-long,\u201d Ferriere says.<\/p>\n

 <\/strong>2. Find the best type of workout for you.<\/h3>\n

\u201c[Physical therapists] gather all of your information from prior surgeries, diet, lifestyle, body type, body mechanics and posture to determine what activities would best fit your physique,\u201d Joubert says. Everyone has different muscle imbalances, range of motion<\/a> and alignment issues, but a physical therapist can spot them and make recommendations accordingly. Have tight hip flexors from sitting all day? Cycling \u2014 in a similar seated position \u2014 might not be the best choice for you. Meanwhile, if you\u2019ve got tight hamstrings from running several times a week, stretching those muscles with yoga could have positive results.<\/p>\n

PTs can also prep you for whatever\u2019s in the pipeline. \u201cIf you\u2019re starting a new type of exercise or trying to increase the intensity of a current exercise routine, a prehab program will help you work through your personal issues,\u201d Ferriere says. \u201cNot everyone may be cut out for running or spinning or even yoga, believe it or not!\u201d Joubert explains. Targeted prehab before starting a new sport or challenge will help address muscle imbalances to prevent injury. That can include anything from mobility exercises<\/a> for improved range of motion to mini band<\/a> work for glute activation and strength<\/a>.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>5 Workout Modifications to Go Easy on Your Knees<\/a><\/p>\n

 3. Speed up your recovery.<\/h3>\n

Many physical therapists will recommend massage or compression socks, pants or sleeves to help with recovery, in addition to foam rolling<\/a> and mobility work.<\/p>\n

But one of the latest perks to heading into your local PT office is the addition of NormaTec compression sleeves. (Think oversized boots designed to massage your limbs as a faster way to speed up recovery.) \u201cThey work to compress segments of your legs from your feet to your hips to promote venous return and reduce inflammation,\u201d Ferriere explains. \u201cThey help improve overall circulation, bringing new, fresh blood into the tissues to promote healing and recovery<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

No different from a massage, Ferriere recommends using the NormaTec sleeves for at least 20 minutes after a hard workout or a long run. While the sleeves aren\u2019t as specific as human touch<\/a>, they can help promote overall recovery, Ferriere says.<\/p>\n

Another new recovery method that\u2019s taking the rehab world by storm? Blood flow restriction (BFR) training, or occlusion training. BFR involves wrapping a compression cuff or Voodoo floss band around the top portion of a limb. George Vafiades, personal trainer and co-founder of As One Fitness<\/a>, says BFR restricts your veins from releasing deoxygenated blood from your body back to your heart, which will help activate new cell growth in your muscles. \u201cIt\u2019s been studied that you can get the same strength benefits with BFR without the stresses to the muscles of traditional strength modalities,\u201d Vafiades says. But not all PTs employ it, so you\u2019ll have to ask your health care professional if it\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Is Your Mobility Holding You Back? 5 Tests to Find Out<\/a><\/p>\n

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Photo: Twenty20<\/a><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Correct your alignment and postural issues.<\/h3>\n

Feel stiffness in your neck and back, or areas of weakness and fatigue? It might be the result of a postural distortion<\/a>, which can stem from repetitive movements (think: distance running, or carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder) or from muscle imbalances that send your alignment out of whack.<\/p>\n

With a simple assessment, your PT will be able to pinpoint where your specific issues are and how to deal. \u201cSomeone who incorporates high variation in type and direction of movement will have a different postural presentation<\/a> than someone who performs the same exercise, such as running,\u201d Ferriere notes. A physical therapist can recommend certain exercises and stretches that help improve your posture and balance.<\/p>\n

There are also several types of massages that physical therapists can perform that may help. \u201cMost of us perform neuro-muscular re-education massages. We mobilize (massage) the tissue as we place it through its normal pattern of movement. This is to remind the brain how to move correctly again,\u201d Joubert explains.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>7 Ways Exercise Helps Relieve Back Pain<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Find the Right Physical Therapist<\/h3>\n

Just like finding a primary care physician, it\u2019s helpful to get referrals from friends, family and trusted fitness professions to find a good physical therapist. Before scheduling a visit, ask if they accept your insurance, and what treatments are covered. \u201cFifty states, including the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands, have some form of direct access. This means you can go directly to a physical therapist for 12 visits or 45 days without a doctor\u2019s prescription,\u201d Joubert says.<\/p>\n

Discuss your financial situation with your physical therapist and ask what treatments are covered by insurance and you\u2019ll have to pay out-of-pocket. Be sure to also ask for itemized receipts to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. \u201cI discuss the patients\u2019 needs, goals and financial limitations. Do your homework to spread your physical therapy visits over time,\u201d Joubert suggests.<\/p>\n

In an ideal world, seeing a physical therapist will save you time, money and heartache in the end, Joubert says. \u201cAn ounce of prevention can help you stay fit and healthy, while reducing your chance of developing illnesses and injuries in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read More
<\/strong>The 3-Minute Mobility Break You Need Right Now<\/a>
15 Stretches You Should Do Every Damn Day<\/a>
5 Standing Yoga Poses for Better Balance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether your goal is to recover from an injury or build muscle, a physical therapist can help. Find out how a PT can be part of your health team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":60931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,6,14],"tags":[289,144,82,281,341,377],"class_list":["post-60924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exercise","category-fitness","category-strength-training","tag-exercise","tag-injury","tag-recovery","tag-strength-training","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2back-and-neck-pain"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60924\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}