Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Whether you’re recovering from joint replacement surgery or a back injury, or you’re managing a painful condition like arthritis, you may benefit from Beacon Health System’s physical therapy program. We offer inpatient and outpatient physical therapy services to children and adults who have trouble moving around and getting things done. We can help you return to an active, pain-free lifestyle.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a type of rehabilitation that helps people who have lost their ability to move easily. It’s designed to improve their ability to move and perform normal daily activities. It’s performed by licensed professionals called physical therapists.
Adults who need physical therapy often have experienced an injury, are recovering from surgery, or have a medical condition that impairs their ability to move. Children may need physical therapy if they were born with or develop a physical or mental disability, a sports injury or a medical condition.
Physical therapists help patients improve pain and regain strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance, endurance and coordination. Some of the ways they can help you include:
- Prescribing therapeutic exercises
- Manipulating your joints or massaging your muscles to help promote proper movement and function
- Teaching you how to use assistive or adaptive devices, including crutches or a prosthesis (artificial limb)
- Applying heat packs or cold compresses to reduce swelling or relieve pain
- Performing electrical stimulation to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling around a joint
- Using ultrasound therapy to reduce pain
- Providing education including home exercise instructions
The collaborative difference
When local student-athlete Madelynn broke her leg, it was traumatic. The injury required surgery and extensive physical therapy, which worried Madelynn and her parents. But thanks to the collaboration between her physical therapists and surgeons, Madelynn is cheering again.
Who Can Benefit From Physical Therapy?
Physical therapists treat people of all ages who were born with, or acquired, a variety of illnesses or injuries that impact mobility, including:
- Joint pain or injuries, such as knee arthritis or a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Traumatic orthopedic injuries, including those that result in amputation
- Recovery from joint replacement surgery
- Stroke or other neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
- Brain or spinal cord injuries
- Cerebral palsy
- Fibromyalgia (a condition that causes widespread muscle and joint pain along with severe fatigue)
- Lymphedema (swelling, pressure and pain caused by fluid build-up in the body)
