The rollercoaster ride that is life can feel like can be overwhelming. There will always be some bumps in the road. It doesn’t really matter whether the injury is sports-related, but it can have an impact on anyone’s lives. Physical therapy is a great way to help athletes recover from injuries. Physical therapy is an alternative to surgery. Physical therapy, although often neglected, is an important medical field. It prevents, treats, and rehabilitates injuries of all kinds, both athletic and not, enabling individuals to continue supporting their families.
Being a physical therapy assistant is only possible through education. Dr. Kyle Tanamachi says that it takes seven years to become a physical therapy professional. This gives physical therapists the ability to develop the most effective techniques to treat an injured person. You must complete a physical therapy program and earn a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT). Volunteer hours are also required. There are many steps involved in becoming a physical therapy professional. It is worth the hard work and dedication that you put into helping others. Ryan Kauffman is a hardworking spine specialist physical therapist who demonstrates a positive attitude. He is a hard worker and has started his own business called Thrive Milpitas. Physical therapy is not just about stretching. Physical therapy helps people recover from injuries and strengthen their bodies so they can continue to support society and the economy. Michelle Nomura a physical therapist stated that PT helps injured people function again so that they can contribute to their families. PT reduces the use narcotics by helping patients feel less pain. (Nomura email interview). Mrs. Nomura is an enthusiastic, caring, and kind Physical Therapist from Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center–Fremont. At the age of 15, she suffered a knee injury and was inspired by her physical therapist. Physical therapists not only help you to rebuild your strength but they also build strong relationships with your patients. Mrs. Nomura’s love for her work is a result of the joy she feels when helping patients. She does her job to help her patients, but she also enjoys the satisfaction of helping someone. Dr. Kyle Tanamachi shares the same influence as Mrs. Nomura. The two share the same passion for feeling accomplished, helping others heal, and being able to do what they love. Dr Tanamachi said that being a physical-therapist has made him more compassionate and kind (Tanamachi Phone interview). Every physical therapist strives to make patients feel their best and return them to normal life as soon as possible.
My next point is that physical therapists assist people in returning to their normal lives. This benefits society. The economy benefits tremendously by lowering painkiller costs and decreasing the amount of drugs sold. Opioids pose a greater risk than the benefits. Physical therapy is a better option to manage pain (“Physical Therapy Vs. Opioids”) The rise in prescriptions for opioids and the reduction of overdoses made it possible to use traction, massage, and exercise. Physical therapy is an option. It’s heartwarming to think of people who might have become addicted or overdosed. Physical therapy is an alternative to overdose and addiction. It’s a rewarding job that can save lives.
It is rewarding to be a physical therapist and build relationships with patients. Heidi was diagnosed in POTS (postural orthopedic tachycardia disorder) and had seventy one-hour sessions with physical therapists over a period of one year. She saw her therapist so often that she formed a close bond. Her therapist helped her get past her insecurities and anxieties. This enabled her to be strong and determined (“Why You Don’t Have to Forget Physical Therapists”) Gabrielle Calabretta a Sports Therapist and Athletic Trainer, said something similar to Heidi. A physical therapist who can see a patient they have treated for years return to work is motivated to help other athletes. It is difficult to imagine a world where physical therapists are not there to help us recover. They can fix many injuries such as hip, shoulder, hip, spine, and stroke rehabilitation. According to “The Good Body”, 72% percent of people who receive physical therapy have a successful outcome. This allows them to help their loved ones and contribute to society. It is hard not to imagine living without such people. Dr. Kauffman stated that, “Pharmaceutical corporations would be in greater high demand, people’s would need more prescribed drugs, and prices of medication would increase even further.” (Kauffman email interview).
Physical therapists are so influential in the medical field that without them, the world would be suffering. Dr. Kauffman warned that prices for pain medication would soar as more people will need them. Prices would also rise dramatically, along with the number of addicts and overdoses. Today, physical therapists have become so vital in society that they are able to prevent overdoses and addictions. It is impossible to avoid the fact that today everything costs money. People are clamouring for medical care to be less expensive, but it is still very costly. Physical therapy helps to reduce the cost of expensive procedures and benefits the economy. Gaby, Dr. Tanamachi, Dr. Kauffman and Dr Tanamachi all mentioned that physical therapy can help prevent injuries and limit the amount of money spent. It costs $3,494 to stay in a hospital for a day and $15,734 for surgery (Fay). People often don’t have the funds to pay for treatment or surgery. However, physical therapy can help them get treatment. 150 sessions of physical therapy are cheaper than $19,228 in surgery. They also require only one night hospital stay. Physical therapy is an affordable alternative to surgery, and a cost-saving option. Physical therapy is science-based and you will be studying anatomy, chemistry, and physics. Physical therapists usually have a minor, often in biology. You will be a better physical therapist if you have a good understanding of the human body. To create a treatment plan for each patient, you must understand the anatomy of each bone and muscle (Nomura Email Interview). Each person is unique and requires a therapy plan that addresses their specific injury.
There are many kinds of physical therapy. Each is specialized in one aspect of the human body. Dr Kauffman for instance, is a spine specialist and is therefore the only doctor authorized to adjust the spine. Each type of physical therapist is trained to help patients get back to their normal lives. Physical therapy can be frustrating. Patients may not want to comply with the information being shared. Mrs. Nomura noted that “a person’s mental state is crucial for their recovery” (Nomura Interview). This means that not all patients will want help. The therapist’s job is to motivate the client and sometimes act as a psychologist to encourage a quick recovery. Athletes do not like to be told that they must rest or that they should not play until the injury is healed. It makes them feel let down and it can also make it difficult to motivate their clients. Tanamachi Phone interview: Physical therapists can help them to see that being well can make a difference in their lives and give back more to their team. Working adults and older people will have different mindsets than athletes who want to return to the field or court. Adults will often find excuses not working with their therapist to improve themselves. Adults can be supported by their therapists and return to work. Without physical therapists, more people would be injured and spend money on costly treatments that may not work.
The most influential medical profession, but the least known, is physical therapy. Given the high number of physical therapists and low employment, it is easy to see why physical therapists remain underrated. The average time spent in school to become a physical therapist is seven years. They have the greatest impact on individuals and receive no credit. “Every year half of Americans older than 18 will experience a severe musculoskeletal injury lasting more than 3 months” (Klepps), requiring physical therapists. While not all superheroes don a cape, it is a good idea to do so in order for them to be recognized. They protect patients from having to undergo surgery, which can drastically reduce rehabilitation (Tanamachi Interview). Physical therapists have the ability to do many things that doctors cannot. A pediatrician cannot give therapy or restructure, and can only refer patients to specialists in that area. The only doctor authorized to prescribe a workout and speed up your recovery is a physical therapist. There are many treatments available, but the most effective and common ones are massage, traction, and exercise. These treatments can help reduce opioid addiction and overdose. You can make a positive impact on the medical world and save lives. Massage therapy (Kauffman Email interview) is manual manipulation on soft tissues (muscles and connective tissue) that can be used to improve one’s health or well-being. Traction refers to a series of mechanisms that allow broken bones and other injuries to be repaired and rehabilitated more quickly and efficiently. Exercise helps strengthen and rebuild muscles, and prevents new injuries. These methods are painless and patients don’t want to feel any pain. When patients can work again and are able to provide for their families and society, physical therapists will know that the therapy program works. The recovery time for physical therapy is shorter thanks to the constant advancements in technology. Many technological innovations have been made to make it possible to treat paralyzing diseases such as stroke. Patients can now walk again after a stroke. According to Mrs. Nomura’s interview, it is challenging to keep up with all the treatment methods. (Nomura email interview).
There will be many more treatments for new injuries and diseases in the coming ten years. Future technology will provide better and more efficient options for paralyzed persons to rebuild their muscles and use them again. These advances will be a huge benefit to society and help reduce the number of people who are injured or hurt. It is clear from the numerous arguments that physical therapists have a positive effect on the economy and society. Because physical therapists allow families to share in the benefits of opioids, society prospers. Health can be a benefit for the entire society, which will lead to advancements in many fields. This has a devastating impact on the economy. People will pay more for cheaper alternatives to surgery. Physical therapy is a great way to improve your health.
You will feel the best when you discover that your physical therapy worked. It is amazing to have complete mobility and no pain. This is proof that physical therapists have the ability to motivate and encourage their patients.
