Physical therapy clinics are places where people with injuries, disabilities, and certain physical conditions can go to get professional treatment for their ailments. The clinics offer treatments daily from Mondays through Fridays with some staying open even on Saturdays. These clinics are staffed with physical therapists and their assistants, all of whom are board-certified and able to handle various cases as patients present to them.

Patients must be referred by other qualified medical practitioners for Physical Therapy Naples to be seen and evaluated by physical therapists in their clinics. Many referrals come from neurologists, geriatrics, orthopedics, and sports medicine physicians. Other physicians with specialties in pediatrics, cardiologists, podiatrists, and internists also refer patients who have concerns concerning their mobility and physical functioning. Therapists are not allowed to treat patients without these referrals.

Since these clinics see most patients with impairments in their physical functioning, the clinics are set up to accommodate these concerns to make it a safe and convenient environment for their patients. In addition, physical therapists see to it that they have everything in place to assure an accident-free environment.

The usual clinic setup includes a reception area, treatment rooms, and a staff area. The treatment room contains treatment tables, a hydrotherapy section, exercise mats, and other more specific equipment depending on the specialty of the therapist holding clinic hours there and depending on the needs of the patients.

Patients who are obese have special needs when it comes to completing physical therapy. This is often the case when an obese person decides to obtain bariatric surgery or other surgical means to reduce their weight. This can cause a challenge for physical therapy clinics as they must have available special equipment to provide the same level of care to obese patients as their average-sized patients. Knowing what types of quality equipment are available to accommodate the needs of obese patients is half the battle. Here are the recommended essential bariatric products for the physical therapy clinic treating obese patients.

When it comes to providing physical therapy to patients of any size, certain essential products are required to help patients retain mobility throughout this process. These items may include but are not limited to canes, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, or braces. Normally, it would not be a problem to fit a patient with these items if they are of average size and weight, but if you have an obese patient it's difficult to safely fit them with any mobile devices that will not cause them pain or fail to provide adequate support. Another factor to consider is that the equipment must withstand additional weight so the products must be built to last.

It's recommended that to accommodate patients of a larger size and weight, Physical Therapy Naples FL clinics choose adjustable products, manufactured out of sturdy materials (steel vs. wood or plastic) and be able to take the pressure off of already strained joints. Wheelchairs should have wider seats and allow a full range of motion to encourage obese patients to use them as needed.

Some of the more basic and usual equipment in a physical therapy clinic includes an ultrasound machine, TENS, electronic muscle stimulus, hydroculture units, stationary bikes, paraffin bath, traction, gym balls, diathermy, parallel bars, exercise mats, weight training equipment, etc. These are used to strengthen and stimulate motor functions and treat other challenges that patients face.

Because of the nature of illnesses and ailments physical therapy patients face, the clinic must have an atmosphere of calm and positivity to it as promoted by its staff members to encourage and improve the patient’s self-esteem and well-being. For instance, the morale of a stroke patient who is used to independence but is now wheelchair-bound is prone to depression and low self-esteem. Clinic staff must be sensitive to this and trained to interact and care for the patient appropriately, ultimately contributing to the patient's improved self-esteem down the road.

A good physical therapy clinic must be equipped to handle the more common ailments, like stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, neck pains, sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, back pains, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, other joint conditions, sports-related injuries and more.

Specialized treatments are offered by certain qualified clinics with more in-depth training in specific areas, like geriatric, orthopedic, pediatric, neurologic, and cardiopulmonary conditions. This is why physical therapists also work in conjunction with speech and occupational therapists, dieticians, orthotists, psychologists, and even social workers. All this is to bring about comprehensive healing for the patient's ultimate well-being.

In short, physical therapy clinics are a rich resource of healing for patients who are struck with a variety of physical conditions brought about by diseases and injuries. As such, physical therapists are responsible for always continuing and updating their knowledge and training to present the latest innovative techniques in the treatment of their patients.