Physical Therapy in Washington, D.C.

Physical therapy is an ally to good health - when properly implemented. As a true healthcare specialty, physical therapy aims to improve mobility, manage pain and help you cope with conditions that impair your physical ability - with the end goal of improving your quality of life. This form of treatment can help you heal from an injury, and improve health conditions or disabilities.

There are many benefits to physical therapy. Besides a general improvement in mobility and pain reduction, many seek out physical therapy for the following reasons and beyond:

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• Avoid surgeries:  As a much less invasive method of healing, physical therapy is often a safer alternative to healing when appropriate. Physical therapy can be a great addition to surgery recovery as well.
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• Reduce the need for pain management medications: By addressing underlying causes of pain, physical therapy can be a non-pharmacological method of minimizing pain levels. A physical therapist can also help you develop a strategy to manage your pain in healthy ways.
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• Recovery from trauma to the body: By addressing problem areas and promoting healing through mobility exercises and manual therapy, recovery from injuries can be a faster process with physical therapy.

Physical therapy can effectively manage and treat a wide variety of muscle, orthopedic, bone, and joining conditions. Some common issues individuals seek physical therapy for include:
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• Sports-related injuries
• Trauma injuries (this can be from car accidents, etc.)
• Back and neck pain
• Headaches
• Strains, sprains, and fractures
• Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis

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A physical therapist will work with each patient on an individualized basis to determine needs and create treatment plans specific to their condition. When choosing a physical therapist, ensure they are experienced and qualified. In the Washington D.C. area you can lean on Thesis for professional trainers and a safe, luxury environment. Our holistic approach to training prioritzies the goals of every individual as we are all at different places mentally and physically.

The cost to see a physical therapist can vary widely by geographical area, certificates, experience, skill set of each physical therapist, and how many sessions you need. For a free physical therapy assessment, contact Thesis Personal Training today. Based on your needs we can create a plan that helps you achieve your goals on a schedule and cost basis that you’re comfortable with. Stress less, enjoy more.

As each patient will begin physical therapy for different reasons, what that might look like will vary from person to person. As a standard, your first appointment should be an assessment. Your physical therapist can assess the issues you may be experiencing and  discuss effective treatment plans. Sessions can vary depending on progress, goals, and your needs that day. Personal physical therapy sessions may include the following. . .
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• Exercises: You can learn therapeutic exercises aimed to increase mobility, reduce pain, and strengthen any problem areas.
• Manual therapy: Your physical therapist may use their hands to manipulate muscle tissue.
• Additional treatments: Modalities such as heat, ice, or other methods to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Education: Your physical therapist can teach you about factors that may affect your condition such as posture and proper body movements.

The duration of your physical therapy treatment will depend on several factors such as overall condition, age, physical health, and commitment to practicing any home exercises your physical therapist may assign. In some cases you may find it beneficial to practice physical therapy for many years to come. Being strong is one thing but ensuring your body is mobile and feels good is another thing. Living a healthy lifestyle calls for a combination of practices that work together to deliver results.

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For optimal results, physical therapy should take place at least twice per week. The frequency of visits may be suggested more or less depending on the condition being treated. Your physical therapist can set recommendations based on your initial assessment.

While physical therapy should challenge your body, it should not be painful. Some soreness post-session can be normal as muscles are worked on. Always discuss any concerns surrounding pain with your physical therapist. Your therapist can adjust the intensity of your exercises or offer different pain management techniques if something does not feel right.

Physical therapy is an excellent treatment path for chronic pain. Not only can physical therapy sessions provide temporary relief for chronic pain, but over time, muscle groups surrounding your problem areas will strengthen - leading to a decrease in regular pain. Physical therapy can also include introducing relaxation techniques, stress management practices, and coping strategies to help with chronic pain.

Physical therapy exercises will focus on mobility, strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. Exercises will be specific to each patient’s conditions and capabilities, but some common movement therapies include:
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• Pelvic tilts
• Bridge exercises
• Shoulder rolls
• Leg raises
• Hip extensions
• Resistance band exercises
• Therapy ball exercises
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Each patient has differing physical abilities, goals, and conditions. In order to restore and/or improve physical function, your physical therapist at Thesis will create a comprehensive treatment plan based on your individual needs. Finding a physical therapist that understands the complexity of the human body and how needs vary can set you up for success.

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Physical therapy aims to improve overall physical function. Working with a physical therapist can give you the tools you need to improve posture and overall body mechanics to improve balance and mobility. A physical therapist may suggest a combination of stretching, strength exercises, and balance training to improve physical function around the patient’s problem areas.

As your physical therapist works with you to regain movement and strength post-sports injury, recovery time can be drastically reduced as you practice situation-specific exercises tailored to protecting your joints and injured muscles.  Not only can physical therapy promote healing after a sports injury, but it will also help prevent future recurrences. 

For Physical Therapy in Washington D.C. - call, come in, or fill out our online form today to see how we can help you the best you that you can be at Thesis.