Physical therapy is the treatment of injury, disease or deformity by physical methods to provide conservative management and treatment for a wide variety of conditions. In many cases, physical therapy is used in order to prevent the need for surgery or assist in improving post-surgical outcomes. Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals with extensive educational backgrounds, who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages with medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
Patients can benefit greatly from physical therapy treatment who suffer from, but not limited to: orthopedic conditions such as low back or neck pain or osteoporosis, joint and soft tissue injuries such as fractures and dislocations, neurologic conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Parkinson's disease, connective tissue injuries such as burns or wounds, cardiopulmonary and circulatory conditions such as congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and workplace injuries including repetitive stress disorders and sports injuries.
Therapeutic exercise and functional training are the cornerstones of physical therapy treatment. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, physical therapists may "manipulate" a joint or use soft tissue mobilization techniques to a muscle to promote proper movement and function. Physical therapists may use other techniques such as electrotherapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, ice and heat, or other treatments to modulate pain. Therapy works to restore, preserve, or improve movement and physical function. Therapists work to develop fitness and wellness programs to promote healthy and active lifestyles. Patients learn how to manage their condition at home for long-term maintenance.
A state of good physical health requires normal interaction between our skeletal, nervous, muscular, and cardiopulmonary systems. When these systems function together they provide shock absorption and flexibility, promote nutrition and generate strength and power. Physical therapists at VTFC search for dysfunction within these systems that may lead to poor force attenuation or structural breakdown. Once these faults have been identified we develop and implement treatment plans that are specific to our patient’s need. Our plan of care will always include a combination of “hands-on” therapy and therapeutic exercise.
Physical therapists at Virginia Therapy & Fitness Center are experts in pathological movement and exercise. We play an active role in treatment of disease and impairment, and also promote prevention within our community. VTFC’s Fitness Center, Pilates, and yoga classes not only help our patients recover from injury, but also prevent future injuries from occurring.