Join St. Lawrence Health (SLH) in acknowledging and celebrating Physical Therapy Month throughout October. Our expert and highly trained teams can assist you in regaining your strength, mobility, and quality of life. Whether you're recovering from an injury, surgery, or just looking to improve your overall wellness, we are here to work with you in multiple convenient locations.
SLH Director of Physical Rehabilitation Naga Sunil Reddammagari explained that while physical therapy (PT) is often used as a general term, it encompasses a wide range of rehabilitation techniques and interventions tailored to individual patient needs.
“Physical Therapy (PT) is a healthcare profession that involves the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of various conditions to improve a patient's physical function, mobility, and overall quality of life,” he noted.
Some common reasons an individual may need PT services include orthopedic injuries, muscle weakness, neurological conditions, pain management, post-surgery rehabilitation, sports injuries, cardiopulmonary conditions, pediatric rehabilitation, geriatric care, work-related injuries, preventive care, wound care, pelvic rehabilitation, or for a functional capacity evaluation.
“In each of these cases, a physical therapist assesses the patient's condition, develops a personalized treatment plan, and employs various techniques and exercises to address specific needs and goals. The ultimate aim of physical therapy is to enhance a patient's physical function, reduce pain, and promote overall well-being,” Mr. Reddammagari said.
Depending on a patient’s condition and the therapist’s clinical decision, the patient could be scheduled for one or two visits each week for anywhere from six to 12 weeks. Receiving and completing prescribed PT sessions is essential for achieving the best possible outcomes in terms of recovery, pain management, functionality, and long-term health.
“It is crucial to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations and work closely with your physical therapist to maximize the benefits of PT for your specific condition,” Mr. Reddammagari stated. “Completing all sessions ensures you receive the full benefit of the therapy, which can lead to a quicker and more complete recovery, and finishing the therapy as prescribed can be more cost-effective in the long term. It may help a patient avoid the need for additional medical interventions, surgeries, or medications, which can be more expensive than preventive and rehabilitative therapies.”
When patients schedule their first visit, the office staff informs the patients what to expect in the initial evaluation. The therapist will further notify patients about what to expect in subsequent sessions, and will plan a Home Exercise Program (HEP) as homework.
SLH’s physical therapists are highly trained individuals who have undergone extensive education and clinical training to become experts in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal and movement-related conditions.
After completing their education, physical therapists must pass a national licensure examination; to maintain their licensure and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, they are required to engage in continuing education.
SLH provides PT services in Brasher Falls, Canton, Gouverneur, Massena, and Potsdam.
