The main objective of physical therapy is to return your body to normal function following an injury, disease or surgery. Physical therapy can help you recover faster from conditions affecting your body that limit your ability to do daily activities. There are four primary phases of physical therapy, each with its own objective. Once you are able to reach your objective for one phase of physical therapy, you may progress to the next phase.
Phase 1
The first phase of physical therapy following an injury, illness, or surgery is to control any inflammation and pain associated with your specific condition. In the initial days or weeks following an injury or surgery, you may experience pain and swelling in the affected area. This stems from a disruption or breakdown of soft tissue, such as a tendon, ligament or muscle. When inflammation is present in the affected area, your body's natural healing process cannot begin. Eliminating inflammation in this phase can speed up the healing process. Your physical therapist may use hot or cold therapy, depending on your condition, to help naturally control inflammation.
Phase 2
The second phase of physical therapy is to increase your range of motion in the joints in the affected area of your body. A loss of range of motion is a common side effect of an injury or surgery. When the soft tissue fibers of your body in the affected area have been damaged, they lose their elasticity, or their ability to stretch and expand. This can lead to a loss of mobility and range of motion, as well as make you more vulnerable to further injury. Your physical therapist will employ range of motion and flexibility exercises with the aim of increasing your range of motion around your damaged joints.
Phase 3
The third phase of physical therapy is to increase the strength and function of the muscles that are affected by your specific condition. Often after an injury, illness or surgery, your skeletal muscles will atrophy. Atrophy is when your muscles lose size and strength because of inactivity or immobilization. Your physical therapist may prescribe specific strength training exercises involving resistance bands, free weights, weight machines or your own body weight to rebuild damaged muscle tissue.
Phase 4
The last phase of physical therapy is to return to normal function and develop a long-term body maintenance program. This usually involves a continuation of some of the range of motion and muscle strengthening exercises you performed during the second and third phases of your physical therapy program. You may be expected to perform these exercises for six months to two years following the beginning of physical therapy, depending on your condition. This will help ensure that your muscles, tendons, and ligaments around your affected area remain strong and supportive in the long term, which can decrease the risk of re-injury.
References
- "Introduction To Physical Therapy"; Michael A. Pagliarulo; 2011
- "Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques (5th edition)"; Carolyn Kisner and Lynn Colby; 2007
