Physical Therapy Specialist
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Spine, Sport & Physical Medicine Center
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine located in Sarasota, FL & Bradenton, FL
Physical therapy is more than just an afterthought when it comes to healing from an injury, and skipping this vital phase of your recovery can land you back at the doctor’s office. Dr. Carlos Diaz is a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with offices at Spine, Sport & Physical Medicine Center in Sarasota, Florida. He’s created a very successful physical therapy team and welcomes new patients. When it’s time for the physical therapy phase of your recovery, call for an appointment or book your visit online.
Physical Therapy Q & A
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy is designed to ease your pain and help you function better after you’ve experienced a musculoskeletal injury related to sports activities, work, and a wide variety of other life experiences.
The therapists at Spine, Sport & Physical Medicine Center work closely with Dr. Diaz to implement the treatment program he’s designed to help improve your odds of a full recovery, return you to normal activities, and prevent future injuries.
What can I expect from physical therapy?
Physical therapists use a wide variety of treatment methods that can:
- Relieve stiffness and improve your joint mobility
- Tone and strengthen the muscles that support and protect your joints
- Speed your recovery from a work or sports injury
- Help prevent disability or the need for surgery
- Improve your balance to help prevent falls
- Learn to use assistive devices such as a cane, splint, or brace
What happens during physical therapy?
Dr. Diaz develops a treatment plan to guide your therapy sessions. Your therapist uses that guide to help assess your needs. You can expect your therapist to ask questions about your pain or other symptoms, your ability to do everyday tasks, and your medical history.
Depending on the nature of your injury, the next step is often testing to measure:
- Your ability to reach, bend, or grasp
- How well you can walk or climb stairs
- The quality of your posture and balance
- Your heartbeat, respiratory rate, and stamina during activity
Your therapist then prepares a plan that includes your personal goals and the exercises and other therapies he’ll implement to help you reach those goals. This plan is also shared with Dr. Diaz, who continues to oversee your progress during physical therapy.
Your treatment might include:
- Exercises to strengthen your muscles
- Stretches to restore flexibility
- Therapeutic massage or ultrasound treatments to ease muscle pain or spasms
- Exercises and practice sessions with devices that help improve your balance, such as a cane or walker
Your therapist also typically recommends home exercises to do between physical therapy sessions at the office. It’s important to follow directions carefully and complete the exercises as directed to reap the full benefit of your physical therapy program
