What is physical Therapy?

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Physical Therapy (PT) helps people recover from surgery, accident, or injury. A physical therapist evaluates a person from the standpoint of their mobility, balance, and strength. What are they having difficulty doing? What do they want to get back to doing? The basic premise of Physical Therapy is to look at the person's physical dysfunction and determine the steps to take to improve the person's physical condition.

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What do physical therapists do?

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As physical therapists, we can identify musculoskeletal dysfunctions based on abnormal movement patterns, reduced range of motion, and expressed symptoms utilizing various tests and measures that are specific patient and specific target tissues that may be affected. After determining your particular impairments, we can provide patients with manual interventions, strength and stabilization exercises, flexibility training, and proper body mechanics with functional movements. Each patient is different and will be provided an individualized approach to their symptoms.

 

 

How do I choose a physical therapy clinic?

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As a patient, you have the right to choose where you would like to receive your physical therapy services. At Gallien Therapy, we exclusively specialize in orthopedic physical Therapy. By focusing on just that one area, we give our patients the most specialized care.

 

What happens in a therapy session?

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During a PT session, the therapist usually applies hands-on techniques such as joint mobilization for a stiff joint or soft-tissue work of stretching or massaging tight muscles.

PT always involves exercises of some sort, from a low-level stretch to a well-rounded strengthening program. Physical therapy modalities are rehabilitation technologies that relieve pain, reduce swelling, decrease muscle spasms, and improve circulation. These modalities include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat, and ice. The exercise prescription and hands-on techniques are central to each PT session.

Do I have to do home exercises?

Patients go to Therapy only two or three times a week. The responsibility for improvement falls on the individual, too. The stretching and strengthening exercises are something that has to be done almost daily. You're not going to get the progress or

the improvement you need is just relying on going to your therapy visits, so you have to do exercises at home.

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How does the billing process work?

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After verifying your benefits, each session will be submitted to your health insurance company for review. Coverage of insurance is strictly dependent on your individualized plan. We do our best to provide you with this information regarding your copay or coinsurance before your initial evaluation so you know your out-of-pocket costs.

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How many visits will I need?

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On your first visit, you will have the opportunity to discuss your care plan with your physical therapist, who will estimate the number of visits you need. We encourage our patients to complete their physical therapy plan to maximize their benefits and return to their active lifestyle.

 

Do I need an appointment to be seen?

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Yes. We want to make sure that you get the most from each visit. Times are specifically reserved for our patients. Office hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Your appointment time has been reserved for you. If you are running late or need to cancel an appointment, please call 575-437-1967 as soon as possible, preferably 24 hours in advance.

How long will each treatment last?

Your initial evaluation should last approximately 60 minutes, with follow-up appointments lasting 45-60 minutes, depending on your care plan.

 

 

How should I dress?

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We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, including T-shirts, sweats, shorts, and good supportive shoes like the gym. Sandals, high heels, and office attire are not recommended.

 

What do I need to bring with me?

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Ensure you bring your physical therapy prescription/referral by your doctor, medication list, and payment information (insurance cars, workers' compensation claim number, and case manager's contact information).

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What happens during my first visit?

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During your first visit, a thorough interview, evaluation, and examination will be tailored to your expressed symptoms. This can include various manual techniques, exercises, movement analyses, and general education to assist with self-management techniques. You should expect to move throughout your treatment, so we recommend bringing comfy clothes and supportive shoes. Other interventions may include electrical stimulation therapy, cold therapy, heat therapy, and asandltrasound therapy to address pain and inflammation management.

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Why is Physical Therapy a good choice?

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More than half of all Americans are suffering from pain. Whether it is cute or chronic pain, there's a ton of evidence showing that pain in America is a widespread problem that commonly results in sick days from work and can be a precursor to opioid use and dependency. However, many do not even know that Physical Therapists are well-equipped to manage pain and its source.

Physical Therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and Physical Therapists can help correct the condition and relieve the pain.

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Isn't Physical Therapy just exercise, motivation, and ice packs with some people watching you move?

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The Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants at Gallien Therapy are highly educated and skilled providers who spend years studying the human musculoskeletal system, biomechanics of the human body, injuries, surgeries, and how to utilize movement and exercise as medicine to heal the body. In addition, these are motivational individuals who are skilled experts in monitoring exercise forms, practicing progressions, and

creating individualized treatment programs for the patient. Ice packs are one of the many resources therapists can use to reduce inflammation. In addition, physical therapists offer a wide array of manual therapy techniques to facilitate the healing process we use during your treatment sessions.

 

What can physical Therapy do to help me prepare for and recover after surgery?

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Your physical therapist can prepare you for surgery by providing an exercise program that targets the primary muscle groups affected by your condition. Increased muscle strength and flexibility will lead to a shorter and more successful surgical outcome.

Your physical therapist will help you after surgery by increasing your range of motion, strength, and mobility. The rehabilitation will also be focused on helping reduce pain associated with your surgical procedure.