5 Things a Physical Therapist Does
A PT sees patients with musculoskeletal conditions. A PT also educates patients about their treatment options and sets goals for improvement. They also document patient progress. But what else does a PT do? This article will help you find out! This article should help you to understand the job. Ask your physical therapist for information about the work they do next time you have a musculoskeletal problem.
PTs treat musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal pain is a common condition that can make it difficult for people to function at work and home. Musculoskeletal conditions are very common and cost more that $213 billion annually. They can impact mobility, productivity, and the ability to live life to the fullest. Over 64 million Americans have musculoskeletal issues. One-third miss 10 days of work each calendar year. This can cause a loss of productivity and lead to high medical bills.
A physical therapist can help patients with musculoskeletal issues. Physical therapists will often prescribe exercises to strengthen the area and balance strain. To help patients achieve the right exercise routine, they may recommend equipment such as resistance bands and special machines. Lunges and squats will help improve range of motion and strength. Patients who have musculoskeletal problems are also encouraged to perform low-impact exercises to prevent further damage.
They educate patients
A physical therapist’s most important task is to educate patients about their condition. There are several methods to educate patients, including oral or written communication. High-quality materials can help patients retain and expand their knowledge. To create customized education materials, hire a graphic designer. Interactive digital resources are a great way to encourage knowledge retention. Engaging your patients will help them to have more specific questions and a better understanding of their condition.
Patient education aims to empower patients to take charge of their health. It could be as simple as reminding patients about exercising, or as complex as explaining how regular exercise benefits them. These questions are often asked by patients after sessions of physical therapy. Therapists can help patients improve their attitude and increase their chances to recover by educating them. Patients who are willing to invest in the process are more likely to stick with it.
They create goals
Setting measurable goals is a great way to motivate yourself. Specific goals are far more effective in physical therapy. Moreover, setting attainable goals will help you stay motivated. Below are some tips that will help you set your own goals. Here are three ways you can motivate yourself.
Encourage patient participation in setting goals. Patients will feel more responsible if they participate in setting goals. It also increases the patient’s sense of readiness. Here are some of the benefits of patient participation in goal setting. Here are a few ways to encourage patient involvement in setting goals:
They keep track of patient progress
The SOAP note is a standardized format used in medical documentation. It describes the patient’s assessment, treatment, follow-up, and follow up. The SOAP note format includes the date, time, patient identification, and treatment goals. It is important that physical therapists do not use industry jargon in their notes. Below are some areas that a physical therapist should document the progress of patients.
Medicare expects the progress report to be written by a licensed PT/OT. This report cannot be prepared by a PT/OT who uses a PTA/OTA. The therapist cannot also bill separately for the time spent on the report. The total treatment time fee includes the time spent on the progress report. It is important that OT or PT document patient progress. This documentation is also helpful for patients and therapists to get reimbursements for services performed.