15 Physical Therapy Myths: Debunked
October is National Physical Therapy Month, a month to celebrate and recognize the dedication of each of our physical therapists and physical therapy assistants at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation. At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, our focus is providing patient-centered, evidence-based physical therapy treatment that is customized to each patient’s specific needs, goals, condition, and injury. However, there are a number of misconceptions about physical therapy and what physical therapists do. Check out our list of common physical therapy myths explained.
Myth: I need to be injured to see a physical therapist.
Fact: Physical therapists do provide treatment for those that have experienced an acute injury and offer rehabilitation before and after surgery. However, physical therapists treat a variety of conditions such as balance and vestibular issues, concussions, headaches and migraines, pelvic pain, chronic pain, incontinence, back and neck pain, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
Myth: You must be in pain to benefit from physical therapy.
Fact: There are many reasons to work with a physical therapist and pain is just one issue that physical therapists address. Physical therapists can help you delay or avoid surgery, reduce the risk of falling, improve mobility, manage chronic illness or a disability, maximize your movement, recover from an injury or prevent future injuries, and maintain or improve your general health and fitness. Physical therapists can also evaluate your workstation to decrease the risk of a work injury, help you heal postpartum, and prescribe an exercise program to help you lower your risk of a heart attack.
Myth: I can’t do vigorous physical exercise, so physical therapy isn’t safe for me.
Fact: Everyone at any fitness level can benefit from physical therapy. A physical therapist makes adjustments to ensure activities and therapy are safe for anyone with any specific health challenge. When a therapist prescribes exercise-related treatment, the therapist tailors the treatment to each patient’s pain level and tolerance to activity. Physical therapists monitor the patient to help them accomplish the prescribed exercise safely and successfully. Exercise treatment includes stretching, strengthening, balance and coordination training, agility and posture training, and movement pattern sequencing.
Myth: I need a doctor’s referral to see a physical therapist.
Fact: In the state of Ohio, a physical therapist can treat a patient without a referral script from a doctor through direct access. A physical therapist can treat a patient for fitness, wellness, prevention, and previously diagnosed chronic, neuromuscular, or developmental conditions without a prescription. At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, we greatly value the many doctors we partner with to provide patients with high-quality care. For physical therapy care for worker’s compensation and patients who have Medicare coverage, scripts are needed to be treated by a physical therapist. However, patients can directly access physical therapy care for many conditions without a referral or prescription.
Myth: Any healthcare professional can perform physical therapy.
Fact: Physical therapy can only be performed by a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapists receive a doctorate in physical therapy and must be licensed in the state in which they practice following a state licensure exam. Physical therapists are experts in movement and many physical therapists have specializations to better serve their patients, such as women’s health, sports medicine, or industrial rehabilitation. Your physical therapist leverages his or her clinical expertise, intensive training, and the latest research to provide evidence-based care, from evaluating and diagnosing to creating a personalized treatment plan.
Myth: Physical therapy isn’t covered by insurance.
Fact: Most insurance policies cover physical therapy. Physical therapy helps individuals address conditions before they become permanent and help them avoid falls, lowering medical costs across the board. Studies have shown that physical therapy reduces healthcare costs by preventing individuals from needing prescriptions, surgery, or imaging scans.
Myth: A physical therapist will tell you to stop doing what you love.
Fact: The goal of the physical therapist is the opposite. The physical therapist wants to get you back to doing what love safely and as soon as possible. If you are experiencing an acute injury, it may be necessary to limit a particular activity temporarily until the injury fully heals. However, your physical therapist will suggest alternative activities or modifications to exercise to promote ongoing fitness while you heal.
Myth: Physical therapy is just exercise-based.
Fact: Physical therapists provide a variety of treatments to address a patient’s specific condition. While physical therapists certainly utilize therapeutic exercise, therapists also offer manual therapy, modalities such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound, and patient education. Manual therapy involves soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques to improve mobility and reduce pain. The therapist tailors each plan of care and treatments used to the patient’s condition to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient.
Myth: Physical therapy is the same as massage.
Fact: Physical therapists perform manual therapy techniques, which target soft tissues and joints to improve range of motion and mobility and reduce pain. While manual therapy may appear similar to muscle massage, manual therapy is tailored to the biomechanics of the human body and the patient’s condition.
Myth: Physical therapy can be done at home.
Fact: Physical therapists do provide patients with an at-home exercise program during and after treatment. However, physical therapy treatments cannot be performed at home, such as manual therapy and the customized exercise plan using specific strengthening and exercise equipment. The therapist not only ensures that you can safely execute prescribed exercise but also makes sure that you have proper form when exercising for optimal performance and recovery.
Myth: The physical therapist’s main role is to be the patient’s personal trainer.
Fact: A physical therapist’s main role is far beyond this. Physical therapists are licensed professionals that provide evidence-based, skilled services to prevent, minimize, or eliminate impairments, manage chronic conditions, and improve overall quality of life. Physical therapists are required to complete a doctorate in physical therapy and pass a state licensure exam to practice in the state. Many physical therapists complete post-graduate certifications and specializations as well and help patients in all phases of healing from the initial diagnosis to the restorative and preventative states of recovery. While exercise training is a component of physical therapy, therapists provide a multi-faceted program using a variety of treatments.
Myth: Physical therapists only work in hospitals.
Fact: Physical therapists work in a variety of healthcare settings. At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, we provide physical therapy as an outpatient rehabilitation facility. Physical therapists can also work in inpatient rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing, subacute units, extended care facilities, in-home care, research centers, schools, hospices, and sports training centers.
Myth: An x-ray or MRI will show a tear or arthritis and I will need surgery.
Fact: Many abnormalities on imaging scans do not correlate to pain or symptoms. While X-rays and MRIs are important medical tools, a physical therapy evaluation is a good place to start to diagnose a musculoskeletal condition prior to an MRI. Physical therapy and therapeutic exercise have been shown to offer similar long-term outcomes compared to surgery for such conditions as back pain issues (lumbar fusion) and meniscus tears. Physical therapy treatment for arthritis can alleviate symptoms, prevent further development, and manage the condition without invasive surgery.
Myth: Surgery is the only option.
Fact: In many instances, physical therapy has been shown to be as effective as surgery in treating conditions like degenerative disk disease, rotator cuff tears, knee osteoarthritis, and meniscal tears. If surgery is necessary, physical therapy before and after surgery is critical for a successful outcome.
Myth: Once you’re discharged from physical therapy, you’re done.
Fact: Physical therapy is just the beginning of your health journey. Physical therapists give patients the tools and education to maintain the fitness they achieved in treatment including a home exercise plan and discharge instructions. At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, we offer our physical therapy patients access to our wellness program after treatment, so that they can maintain their fitness and health utilizing our gym equipment and warm water therapy pool.
