The Importance of Physical Therapy To Your Recovery
Are you looking for an orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist or occupational therapist? Maybe you’ve been recently injured and don’t want to let it keep you down for long, or perhaps your doctor has recommended that you work with an occupational therapist for specialized assistance. No matter why you might be searching for one, you are definitely not alone. In fact, one in seven Americans has an orthopedic impairment that could be helped with the assistance of a physical therapist or orthopedic surgeon. Below is a bit of information about the three fields mentioned above:
Orthopedic Surgeon – Orthopedic surgeons are specialists when it comes to the musculoskeletal system, which essentially is our network of bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, etc. Visiting a orthopedic surgeon usually comes as a result of meeting with a general orthopaedist and getting a recommendation. This is an incredibly large field, and in fact takes up quite a bit of Medicare payments. In 2016 alone Medicare approved payments for 3.04 million orthotic procedures, which adds up to more than $1 billion in total Medicare spending.
Physical Therapist – Another commonly used type of medical therapy is physical therapy, which helps patients with movements of their body. For instance, if you break your leg and are required to wear a large boot and not put any pressure on the broken leg for eight weeks, you would likely be advised to see a physical therapist afterwards. They would essentially be helping you understand how to use that leg again. The benefits of physical therapy treatment are incredible; studies show that when it is used as a first management strategy, patients faced 72 percent less costs over the first year of treatment.
Occupational Therapist – Occupational therapy is quite a bit different from physical therapy because it goes well beyond the health of your bones, muscles, and joints. Occupational therapists work with patients of all ages on increasing not only physical health, but developmental, social, and emotional health as well. Sometimes people struggle with the basic daily activities like getting dressed, working, and eating because of a problem they are having with developmental or emotional health. That is just one of the ways that occupational therapists can really help.
Whether you are looking for the advice of an orthopedic surgeon on whether or not to get a hip replacement, advanced physical therapy so that you can get back to your daily routine, or specialized occupational therapy for a developmental or social problem, you have options available to you. Ask your primary care physician about which route they would recommend and check with local centers in your area about availability. You could be on your way to a healthier and more independent life in no time at all!
