Orthopedic Physical Therapy in Berkeley Heights

Orthopedic physical therapists specialize in the treatment of the orthopedic system, including treatment of pain in your joints, loss of range of motion, strains to a muscle, or injury to your bones and ligaments.

Benefits of Orthopedic Therapy 

You can benefit from this type of treatment at any age. Young people may require assistance in recovery after breaking a bone or after surgery. Sometimes, it’s a potential alternative to the surgery itself. Alternatively, your physicians may order this treatment for certain chronic health conditions (e.g., scoliosis).

Even if you are lucky enough to avoid the need for orthopedic physical therapy (“PT”) in your early and middle age, as you grow older, your orthopedic system slowly degenerates. Examples of this include arthritis, a common condition that causes progressive swelling and inflammation in your joints, and degenerative disc disease, where degradation of the spinal discs between your vertebrae causes swelling and pain. Orthopedic PT can help treat pain, swelling, and loss of function related to the progression of these diseases and potentially delay the need for surgery.

Examples of Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Typically, your provider will meet with you, evaluate you, and formulate a specific treatment plan based on your needs. No two patients are the same. Based on your history and examination, you will be advised on certain treatment modalities. For example, simple education on the importance of stretching can alleviate many ailments.

Other times, your therapist may take a more active approach with you, such as through manual therapy. Manual therapy includes treatment through joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization. They will physically manipulate your joints or muscles/ligaments in a precise way to help promote function, reduce pain, and restore range of motion.

Orthopedic physical therapists treat a host of other conditions with these and other treatment methods, bringing unparalleled expertise in helping you improve your orthopedic function.