5 Questions to Ask About Physical Rehabilitation Therapy

Many people use the terms ‘physical therapy’ and ‘physical rehabilitation’ interchangeably, however they are distinct terms with different meanings. In fact, physical rehabilitation is an umbrella term that includes physical therapy.

The physical rehabilitation therapies used for treatment are intended to help improve the quality of life of patients by restoring the body’s natural functionality. Physical rehabilitation therapy can treat injuries, illnesses or conditions that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, spinal cord, brain, or nervous system. In addition to improving the physical aspect of well-being, rehabilitation can also improve mental and cognitive states as well. It is important to note that treatments often vary by age, especially with geriatric and pediatric therapy.

In order to find a good physical therapist, it is important to look for the following:

• A certified physical therapist
• A physical therapist with whom you get along
• Transparency of who you will see, and when
• A physical therapist with great manual skills
• A practice that offers the right at-home recovery training
• A physical therapist who specializes in treating your condition
• A well-equipped clinic
• A practice that accepts your insurance

Inpatient physical therapy refers to staying in a facility for rehabilitative therapy and care. Similar to a regular hospital, this requires being admitted to a rehab program and staying there until the treatment is complete. Depending upon a patient’s individual needs, the length of an inpatient stay may be anywhere from a few days to a month or more. Individuals admitted to inpatient rehab facilities receive comprehensive rehabilitative care via a well-coordinated team of multidisciplinary rehabilitation professionals. Inpatient physical therapy is typically only used in cases of serious disability, whereas less serious incidents are treated in an outpatient setting.

Physical rehabilitation is a therapy focused on restoring form and function to the body. There are many reasons why physical rehabilitation therapy may be prescribed as treatment, such as for congenital conditions that affect mobility, acute injuries that limit range of motion, and illnesses that impede on one’s physical abilities.

Rehabilitation refers to a number of different therapies, including:

Physical Rehabilitation — This type of therapy is used to treat injuries, illnesses and conditions that limit one’s physical ability.

Occupational Rehabilitation — Similar to physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy focuses on relearning activities essential to day-to-day life, enabling independence.

Speech and Language Rehabilitation — As the name suggests, speech and language rehabilitation focuses on improving language and communication skills. This is especially useful for patients who have suffered from a stroke or another condition such as dementia, or for children with a speech defect.

If you or someone you love is looking for a qualified physical rehabilitation therapist, trust the professionals at Golden State Medical Center to provide a higher level of care. Contact us today to book an appointment. We serve patients from San Ramon CA, Dublin CA, Blackhawk CA, Danville CA, Alamo CA, Diablo CA, Dougherty CA, Tassajara CA, Livermore CA, and Pleasanton CA. Looking forward to serve you!