Why Physical Therapy?

About Physical Therapy at PhysioEdge

Physical Therapy promotes wellness, mobility and independent function. Physical Therapists have advanced understanding of how the body moves, what keeps it from moving well, and how to restore mobility.

Is Physical Therapy for Me?

Physical Therapists are experts on movement and function. At PhysioEdge Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, our Physical Therapists are skilled at assessing and managing a range of conditions including:

• Physical conditions such as back pain, arthritis and repetitive strain injury
• Sports injuries
• Post surgery recovery
• Mobility problems related to neurological disorders  
• Pre- and post-natal problems and other women’s health conditions
• Neck and back pain and other joint injuries
• Respiratory and cardiac conditions

Physical Therapists can also help you to prevent most of the above conditions by offering advice on posture, exercise, workplace and lifestyle habits.

At PhysioEdge Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, your Physical Therapists work as part of a team with you and sometimes other health care providers or sports coaches.  The success of your Physical Therapy program usually requires your co-operation outside of our Physical Therapy clinic. You will probably be required to participate in an exercise program or some modifications to your postural or lifestyle habits. Your dedication to your Physical Therapy "homework" will greatly enhance the outcome of your Physical Therapy program and will help you to achieve your goals as quickly as possible.

You can expect your Physical Therapist will follow the system below to ensure your time in Physical Therapy and at home is used effectively to reach your goals.

• Assess your symptoms. 
• Diagnose your condition.
• Plan your treatment.
• Treat your condition.
• Continually evaluate the effect of treatment on your condition and adjust the treatment plan if necessary.
• Help you to manage your condition at home and to prevent reoccurrence of problems.
• Communicate with any other health professionals involved with your condition, such as your doctor, to ensure a united approach to achieving your goals.

At PhysioEdge Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation our Physical Therapists keep up-to-date with the latest in medical and sports science research to help them select treatments that have been scientifically proven to help your condition.  This is called "Evidence Based Practice". 

Some of the treatments that Physical Therapists at PhysioEdge Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation  may use include:

• Mobilization and Manipulation of joints
• Functional Dry Needling
• Functional Movement Assessment (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
• Soft tissue Mobilization and Manipulation, massage
• Neuromuscular Reeducation Exercises and Activities
• Therapeutic Exercises and Activities
• KinesioTaping and Leukotape Taping
• Custom Foot Orthotics
• Biofeedback, Electrotherapy, Ultrasound therapy  
• Advice and education

What can I expect on my first visit?

During your first visit you can expect the following:

• Arrive at your appointment with your Physical Therapy prescription.
• A Physical Therapist at PhysioEdge Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation in Marietta will conduct your initial evaluation and discuss the following:

1. Your current condition and cause of the injury.
2. Your past medical history including medications, tests, and procedures related to your health and current problem.
3. The intensity of your pain – for example, when and what aggravates the pain and what you currently do to ease the pain.
4. How your condition/pain is impacting your daily activities. What are your functional limitations?
5. What you hope to achieve from Physical Therapy i.e.: setting your individual goals.

You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained Physical Therapists at PhysioEdge Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation. The therapist will perform an objective evaluation which may include some of the following:

1. Palpation - touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for tenderness, possible swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, or deformity.
2. Range of Motion (ROM) - the therapist may move certain joints, to check for the quality of movement and to assess for any abnormalities of these joints as well as the ligaments, muscles, and tendons that surround them.
3. Active Movement and Strength - the therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often the muscle strength is graded.
4. Neurological Screening - the therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
5. Special Tests - the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
6. Posture Assessment - the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.

The Physical Therapist at PhysioEdge Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation will review your symptoms and objective findings from their examination and discuss the findings with you. Together you will plan your treatment. The therapist will continually evaluate the effect of treatment on your condition and adjust the treatment plan if necessary. Your plan will also help you manage your condition at home and educate you on how to prevent reoccurrence of problems.

What do I need to bring with me?

Bring your Physical Therapy prescription and a copy of your completed paperwork, as well as your insurance card, if applicable. In most cases, health insurance will cover your treatment. For Workers' Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager's contact information. If you are covered by auto insurance or an attorney lien, make sure you bring this information.

How should I dress?

You should wear loose fitting clothing so that your physiotherapists can easily move your joints and entire body as that helps us perform a thorough examination. You should be able to expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a sleeveless tank top is a good choice. For low back problems, wear loose fitting shirt and shorts.

How long will each treatment last?

Plan for a minimum of an hour to 1 hour and 15min. This depends on whether your appointment is an assessment or treatment.

How many visits will I need?

This is highly variable and depends on several factors including your type of injury, your personal medical history, and how well your condition responds to the treatment.  You may need only one visit or you may require several visits and many months of care. Your Physical Therapist at PhysioEdge Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation will discuss with you how many visits you may require. Your progress will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis and will assist your Physical Therapist in adjusting your frequency of treatment as needed.