Physical Therapy
Foothills Physical Therapy Specialties
Whether you’re an injured athlete, a secretary with aches and pains, a young child with a developmental delay, or a firefighter who has been injured on the job—physical therapy is meant to get you back on the field, back on the job, and back doing the things that you enjoy.
As integral members of the health care team, physical therapists evaluate and treat individuals with a wide variety of medical conditions that impact their ability to move and perform functional activities. With their education based largely on the science of movement, physical therapists are experts in movement dysfunction and injury prevention. They work to restore optimal physical function and wellness.
Here at Foothills, we believe there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to healing. That’s why we implement a hands-on, individualized approach to your evaluation and treatment. With your specific needs in mind, we can restore movement, improve function, and help you to get back to doing what you enjoy.
What We Offer
There are hundreds of conditions that can be treated by a physical therapist. For more in-depth information about what we offer, you can find a complete list of our services in the Resource Center.
Pre and Post Surgical Rehabilitation
We work closely with your surgeon to manage your pre/post-operative care. Surgery is expensive; therefore, your pre-operative and post-operative physical therapy should be performed by PT's with extensive background in treating patients before and after surgery and with knowledge of your physicians' preferences and protocols.
- Joint Replacement Surgery
- Ligament Reconstructive Surgery
- Cartilage Restorative Surgery
- Nerve Decompression/Release
- Spinal Surgery
Chronic Injury Rehabilitation
Many people suffer unnecessarily with long lasting, nagging conditions or injuries that just won't go away. With occasional or frequent flare-ups, these injuries can limit your mobility, your participation in sports, work or daily activities.
- Chronic Joint Pain
- Soft Tissue Restrictions
- Muscle Imbalance
- Postural Dysfunction
- Muscle Weakness
- Overuse Injuries
- Developmental Disorders
Acute Injury Rehabilitation
Physical therapists are experts in the management of acute musculoskeletal injuries. They are able to assess your condition, apply the appropriate interventions and treatment specific to your needs, or facilitate referral to a physician if additional medical care is needed.
- Sprains/Strains
- Sports injuries
- Whiplash
Geriatric Rehabilitation
Sometimes the effect of injuries or chronic medical conditions accumulate with age, impacting quality of life. Elderly parents, friends and neighbors can benefit from a physical therapy program designed to improve their function and ability to remain active.
- Balance Disorders/Vertigo
- Muscle Weakness
- Chronic Joint Pain
- Loss of Function
Injury Prevention
The best injury is the one that's avoided. Physical therapy is a profession based upon injury prevention and patient education. Our goal is to optimize your wellness through programs emphasizing strength, flexibility, endurance, posture, positioning and correct movement patterns during functional activities.
- Muscle Imbalance/weakness
- Movement Dysfunction
- Overuse Injuries
- Poor Posture
- Developmental Disorders
What Hurts?
Hover over the body map to learn more about common injuries and conditions. To learn more about how physical therapy can help you, schedule a free Rapid Recovery® Injury Assessment at any of our convenient locations.
Physical Therapy FAQs
- What is a physical therapist?
PT’s are licensed professionals with an advanced degree in physical therapy. Most physical therapists now receive a Doctorate degree (DPT). They are experts in movement and have a strong background in the medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, and neurology. PT’s work to restore optimal physical function and wellness, prevent injuries and address faulty movement patterns.
- What are the benefits of physical therapy?
Physical therapy helps resolve any injuries or conditions you may have. It can help alleviate pain as a cost-effective alternative to surgery, or it could help you recover quickly from surgery and get back to the level of function you desire. Your PT will provide you with at home exercises and education to prevent re-injury, and continue to help you well after your therapy sessions are complete. You should consider physical therapy if you are experiencing any of the following conditions:
- Recent orthopedic surgery
- Desire to avoid surgery
- Exercise Injury
- Work-related Injury
- Everyday aches/soreness/stiffness
- Inability to perform normal activities because of pain,
weakness, or safety concerns
If you’re not sure about starting PT, Foothills offers a free, no obligation Rapid Recovery Assessment. It will help you determine which areas you need to focus on and whether physical therapy is right for you.
- When should I start PT?
Physical therapy can benefit a wide variety of conditions, and you can seek out therapy at any time. Pain, aches, and soreness don’t have to be a part of your daily life, and can often be alleviated through PT. If you feel you could benefit from understanding your specific jury/condition more thoroughly, and are motivated to feel better and stronger, call a physical therapist today!
- Will it be painful?
Some conditions/injuries can be painful and recovery (including PT) isn’t easy. Your physical therapist will listen to you closely and make every effort help you avoid discomfort, but some pain and soreness will most likely occur as you progress through your treatment plan. Be sure to communicate how you’re feeling to your therapist, they can modify your treatment if needed to ensure pain is kept to a minimum.
- Am I too young for physical therapy?
Physical therapists treat patients of all ages. Some Foothills locations have therapists that specialize in pediatrics. Parents should check to make sure there is a physical therapist on staff with a pediatric certification when scheduling an initial visit. You can also see each location’s specialties on their clinic page.
At Foothills, we treat patients of all ages. It is even possible for infants to receive physical therapy, and most of our physical therapy clinics offer pediatric rehabilitation. Many young athletes are treated at Foothills as well.