By Marisa Priolo, PT, DPT
Where do you go when you feel sick? That’s right, the doctor. You get a medical diagnosis that describes an underlying problem that is causing your symptoms, then receive a treatment targeted to alleviate symptoms and ultimately resolve the illness. Then voilà! You are feeling better and back to your normal self.
But where do you go when you have a movement “illness”? If you have pain somewhere in the body when you move around? If you can’t do things like you used to, like pick your grandchild up off the floor or are having difficulty getting out of a chair? If you can’t do the things you want to do, like go for a morning stroll with your spouse or play fetch with the dog?
Well, the answer is actually the same: the doctor. Just, a different type of doctor.
Physical therapists are experts in human movement with comprehensive doctoral-level training and should be your first stop if you are experiencing pain or difficulty with movement. Human movement is complex and influenced by more than just our joints and muscles. It is influenced by many factors, including our cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal systems, and much more. Because of this complexity, getting a correct diagnosis can be challenging. But just as you would opt to see a cardiologist for a heart issue, or an oncologist for a cancer diagnosis, a physical therapist should be your go-to practitioner for any movement difficulties you may be experiencing.
Our health and quality of life depend on the ability to move skillfully and efficiently. Pain free and coordinated movement is critical for us to accomplish meaningful goals, such as fulfilling work duties, playing with your kids, or taking that morning walk with your spouse. The physical therapist will use his or her integrative knowledge to establish a plan of care designed to maximize physical performance for people of all ages, pathologies, and levels of physical function.
At db Ortho PT, we have a team of thorough and experienced physical therapists who can assist in bringing you one step closer to your movement goals. After a comprehensive physical examination and evaluation, we will provide you with a detailed movement diagnosis, which will describe exactly what is causing your difficulty with movement. Once your movement “illness” is accurately diagnosed, we will design a unique treatment plan targeted towards your specific issues to help you reach your personal, professional, and recreational goals. Like taking a prescribed medication for a medical diagnosis, consistent adherence to your physical therapy plan will have you back to moving as well, if not better, than before!
Dr. Marisa Priolo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at db Ortho PT, located at 732 Newman Springs Road, Suite 200, Lincroft. Dr. Priolo can be reached at 732-747-1262 or via email at [email protected]. You can also find out more about the practice at www.dborthopt.com.