You have achy joints that are preventing you from being active, or you’re trying to recover from a sports injury. Whatever the case, when there’s musculoskeletal damage of any kind, physical therapy can play an important role in helping improve your strength and mobility. At Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine, we believe in the power of physical therapy, and we have devoted a portion of our practice to this important and effective approach to musculoskeletal healing.
In the following, our team of top-notch physical therapists explains why physical therapy is so important and how it can benefit anyone with damaged tissues
Our team of board-certified doctors provides conservative, non-surgical, and regenerative treatments to heal sports injuries and relieve pain. Our offices are located in Westfield and West Orange, New Jersey, and serve all of Union County, Morris County, Middlesex County, and Somerset County, including the surrounding towns of Cranford, Garwood, Clark, Scotch Plains, Mountainside, Springfield, Summit, Chatham, Millburn, Short Hills, Maplewood, Watchung, Berkeley Heights, Livingston, Union, Edison, Woodbridge, and Elizabeth. If you suspect that you may need physical therapy, don’t hesitate to call Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine or request an appointment online today.
For appointments, call us or book online at any of our convenient locations in Middletown, Morristown, Ridgewood, Westfield, and West Orange.
The Goal of Physical Therapy
There are many goals when it comes to physical therapy (PT), chief among them:
- Improving your quality of life
- Restoring pain-free function
- Preserving strength and range of motion
- Helping you to heal more quickly
- Returning to activity faster
- Preventing future injury or damage
While many people believe that physical therapy is simply exercise, the practice goes far deeper than that. First, we design strengthening and stretching programs that are tailored to your specific needs and goals. Second, we also include ice and heat therapies, manual therapies, electrical stimulation, and balance work as part of our PT services.
For example, if you have a knee or hip injury, we work toward strengthening the surrounding muscles to take the pressure off the damaged connective tissue, allowing it space to heal. We also work toward preserving the range of motion in your joint while you heal so that, when you come out the other side, you can rely on them as you once did. We also help you navigate life more easily by training on steps and other real-world challenges.
When it comes to recovery, our PT is designed to keep you active so that healing resources can flow through the damaged tissues, allowing them to rebuild.
While helping you to heal from injury or surgery is one goal of physical therapy, it can also help with degenerative and chronic issues, such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease in your spine. Here again, we work on strengthening your muscles to provide more support, and we also work toward reducing inflammation, which in turn reduces pain.
A study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that patients with chronic lower back pain who received PT showed significantly improved disability and pain scores at the three-month and one-year marks compared to those who didn’t have PT.
Who Can Benefit from Physical Therapy
As we stated earlier, there are very few cases of musculoskeletal damage in which PT can’t play a valuable role. To give you an idea, we recommend physical therapy in New Jersey for a wide range of problems, including:
- Fractures
- Arthritis
- Sports injuries, such as torn ligaments and tendons
- Concussions
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Overuse injuries, such as tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hip issues
This list is by no means comprehensive, but it illustrates the breadth and scope of the applications for physical therapy.
If you’d like to see for yourself how physical therapy can improve your life, contact one of our offices in West Orange or Westfield, New Jersey, to make an appointment at our dedicated physical therapy centers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Physical Therapy in New Jersey
Do I need a doctor's referral to start physical therapy in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey physical therapists have direct-access privileges, which means you can schedule an appointment without a physician’s referral or prescription.Â
What should I expect during my first physical therapy appointment?
Your first visit begins with a comprehensive evaluation. Your physical therapist will review your medical history, assess your current condition, and discuss your goals. From there, we build a personalized treatment plan that may include therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and other modalities tailored to your specific needs.
How long does each physical therapy session last?
Sessions typically run between 45 and 60 minutes, though this can vary depending on the complexity of your condition and where you are in your treatment plan. Your physical therapist will give you a clear timeline at your initial evaluation.
How often will I need to come in?
Most patients begin therapy two to three times per week. The frequency and duration of your treatment plan depend on your diagnosis, your recovery goals, and how your body responds. Your therapist will reassess and adjust the plan as you progress.
Can physical therapy help with chronic conditions, not just injuries?
Yes. Physical therapy is highly effective for managing chronic conditions like arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and chronic back or neck pain. The focus shifts toward reducing inflammation, building supportive muscle strength, and improving long-term function and quality of life.
Will I do exercises at home between sessions?
In most cases, yes. Your physical therapist will provide a home exercise program designed to reinforce the work done in the clinic and accelerate your recovery. It’s important to follow these recommendations closely and reach out to your therapist with any questions.
