It can be frustrating to experience pain from an injury or condition, especially when it limits your mobility and keeps you from doing what you need to do every day. Fortunately, instead of relying on medication and time to get through the pain, you can find healing and relief from sessions with a Peoria Physical Therapist. If your doctor has referred you to a physical therapist, you may be wondering how this can help you. Knowing more about physical therapy and how it is used can help prepare you for meeting with a physical therapist and achieving improved health.

Mike King, PT, DPT, OCS

Mike attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he joined the Racquetball Team helping them win two National Championships. He received his BS in Exercise Science in 2005. Before he finished his undergraduate degree, he paused his studies to spend two years in Bogota, Colombia immersing himself in the Spanish language and culture. He came to love the Hispanic people and speaks Spanish fluently.

Mike attended Northern Arizona University where he received his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. After practicing in Utah for several years, he received his certificate as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS). He worked for MountainLand Rehab for 7 years as a therapist, high school physical rehabilitation teacher, clinic director, and clinical improvement specialist. Eventually, the Valley of the Sun would entice him back home. He moved his family from Salt Lake City to Phoenix in March of 2015 and began working for a local company as a physical therapist while he pursued his dream of opening his own clinic.

What is a Physical Therapist?

A physical therapist is a medical professional trained in helping heal and strengthen the physical body for long-term health benefits. Physical therapists use exercises, movement, and other interventions to help patients recover from conditions and injuries that limit mobility in the body and that causes pain. The education and training physical therapists have gives them the knowledge to assess your physical needs and develop a customized treatment plan to achieve the goals you have for your health and mobility.

The benefits of physical therapy are considerable. A physical therapist is trained to listen to your body and design an individual care plan that makes sense for your body. Often times this can lead to complete treatment of a condition that once may have looked like surgery was the only solution.

Physical therapy works to strengthen and stretch the muscles that are giving you the pain to relieve any pressure or tightness. These exercises are not only designed to be pain-free, but convenient and preventative against future injuries. If you have questions about how physical therapy may work for you, visit our frequently asked questions page and our insurance accepted page. Please give us a call if you’d like to have your specific questions answered!

What will a session consist of?

A physical therapy session in Peoria depends on the patient’s needs. In the first session, the physical therapist will assess your condition and help you develop your health and mobility goals. Then, the physical therapist will develop a plan for your physical therapy sessions to achieve those goals. The following sessions will consist of the exercises and movements that are needed to achieve your goals. The physical therapist may have you do certain exercises, use water therapy, or manipulate your muscles for you. The physical therapist may also teach you exercises you can do on your own between sessions to help you achieve these goals.

A physical therapy consultation will be beneficial for:

• Patients who are suffering from chronic pain conditions
• Patients who suffered an injury
• Patients recovering from surgery
• Patients born with developmental problems or birth defects

In your initial consultation, you will be asked to fill out a few informational forms. You can view our patient forms here. If you are scheduled for a consultation with us, please print out the patient forms, fill them out, and bring them with you. These forms help us to implement an accurate treatment recommendation. Be sure to include details of your symptoms even if they seem unrelated. We encourage you to write down all the questions you have and take notes during the consultation so no details are forgotten.

It’s important for you to find a physical therapist you are comfortable with. It’s normal to seek a second opinion. Meet your therapist Mike King, PT, DPT, OCS.

Read more about what to expect at your first consultation here.

Why would I need a Physical Therapist?

Your doctor may recommend that you see a Peoria physical therapist before or following surgery, to help with injury recovery, or as part of your treatment plan for a diagnosed condition. Typically, physical therapy is used to strengthen your body and improve mobility as part of healing and recovery or treatment. You may need physical therapy for a long period of time to recover from a serious injury or only a limited amount of time to improve your mobility. In addition, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to deal with ongoing pain, such as neck pain, to help ease the pain by improving your physical health.

Physical therapy is beneficial for people in all stages of life. From birth to end of life. Whether you have any of the following challenges above or not, physical therapy can benefit you in preventative measures as well. It restores balance and strength to avoid injury or prevent your specific challenge from returning.

What to know when choosing a Physical Therapist

Before choosing a physical therapist, there are a few things you should consider:

• Do your research to see that the physical therapist is highly qualified and has experience treating your needs.
• It is also important to ensure that the physical therapist you are considering can provide a variety of types of physical therapy in order to ensure that the physical therapy treatment plan aligns with your needs.

After these first two steps, gauge your natural intuition with your interaction with them. You should feel completely comfortable with your physical therapist.

A successful physical therapist will take the time to hear your concerns, include you in the treatment process, set sensible goals, and dedicate time to making sure that you are working on something suitable to you and your lifestyle. This therapist will continually adjust your treatment if necessary and be honest with you if you need an additional specialist, or alternative method, to complete your care.

If you have been referred to physical therapy, it’s important to have all the information you need from your doctor. Make sure you know why you have been referred to a physical therapist and what the physical therapy sessions should accomplish for you. This will help you and the physical therapist make a clear, effective plan after your assessment. Through a plan tailored to your specific condition and needs, you can work with your Peoria physical therapist and achieve your health goals. If you’ve been referred to Desert Edge Physical Therapy, have questions about physical therapy, or are interested in a consultation,

contact us today to schedule an appointment!