What is Physical Therapy: 

Physical therapy is a health care profession which provides services to individuals to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout life or following an injury or illness.  Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment, intervention, and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being.  It involves the interaction between physical therapist (PT), physicians, patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers, and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists.

Who can call themselves a Physical Therapist?

A physical therapist (PT or LPT) is a licensed health care professional, licensed by the state in which they practice in.  They work in  a wide variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, out-patient rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes, the military or schools. In Texas, they are governed by the Texas State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners  (http://www.ecptote.state.tx.us/). Only those health care professionals who have graduated from an accredited Physical Therapy curriculum and have maintained their active license status can call themselves a "Physical Therapist" or PT. Anyone else who calls themselves a Physical Therapist or say that they do "Physical Therapy" without these standards being met are doing so against state laws.

How can I see a Physical Therapist? 

In the State of Texas, for an individual to see a physical therapist, they must have a prescription from their physician.  A prescription for physical therapy is good for 30 days after it is signed by the physician.

Your First Appointment: 

Your first therapy visit will include an evaluation by a physical therapist. Your physical therapist will perform an examination to identify current and potential problems. Based on the results of the examination, and considering your specific goals, your physical therapist will design a plan of care to include specific interventions and will propose a timetable to achieve these goals and optimize your function. Your physical therapist will likely provide you with instructions to perform exercises at home to facilitate your recovery.

You should feel comfortable asking your physical therapist any questions regarding your course of care, including specifics regarding interventions and expectations.

Commonly performed treatments at
Grapevine Physical Therapy
 and Sports Medicine:

• Moist Heat: 
  When moist heat is applied to the body it causes vasodilation which increases blood flow to the area. This promotes healing in injured or damaged tissue. This better prepares the tissue for stretching or exercise. Moist heat also can ease muscle spasm and pain by this increased circulation. Moist heat is usually applied at the beginning of a therapy session. 
    
• Ice:
  When ice is applied to the body it causes vasoconstriction which decreases blood flow to the area. This eases pain and promotes relaxation of the tissue. Ice is usually applied at the end of a therapy session.
  
  
• Massage or Soft Tissue Mobilization(STM):
  is the practice of soft tissue manipulation/mobilization with physical (anatomical), functional (physiological), and in some cases psychological purposes and goals. Soft tissue mobilization can help the recovery of stiff, painful or over-tired muscles by: speeding up the elimination of waste products and temporarily increasing the local blood supply. STM primarily works the muscular system but can be utilized for scar mobilization and deep friction massage of tendons, fascial tissue, or ligaments. STM techniques are a combination of manual or hands on techniques designed to relax, release and stretch soft tissue.

              EFFECTS OF MASSAGE INCLUDE:

* Increased blood flow
* Increased flexibility and range of motion and extensibility of connective tissue
* Autonomic nervous system response
* Lymphatic system stimulation  

              INDICATIONS OR USAGES FOR MASSAGE INCLUDE:

             * Improved muscle tone 
             * Increased circulation 
             * Promote relaxation 
             * Therapeutic effects on the respiratory and nervous systems

•  Ultrasound:
  is a therapeutic modality that utilizes sound waves to penetrate tissue causing a heating effect.             

            PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ULTRASOUND:

            * Increased metabolic rate of tissue 
            * Increased extensibility of collagen 
            * Increased blood flow and tissue healing 
            * Increased joint range of motion 
            * Decreased sensitivity of neural elements 
            * Decreased pain and muscle spasms

           INDICATIONS FOR ULTRASOUND:

           * Non-acute soft tissue injuries 
           * Sub-acute and chronic inflammation
           * Tissue regeneration 
           * Non-acute bursitis 
           * Adhesive capsulitis 
           * Scar tissue softening 
           * Myositis 
           * Nerve root irritation

          CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR ULTRASOUND:

           * Neoplasms--active cancers 
           * Circulatory disorders 
           * Pregnant uterus or over reproductive organs 
           * Areas of acute inflammation 
           * Open wounds 
           * Epiphysis of growing bones 
           * Over or around pacemakers 
           * Over areas of decreased sensation 
           * Healing fractures 
           * Feverish conditions

Therapeutic Exercise:

The Therapist will develop an exercise program specific to your needs. This will include clinic exercises as well as those to perform at home or the gym. Exercises may include strengthening or flexibility exercises, free weights, theraband, manual resistance or machines.

At Grapevine Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine we treat a wide variety of conditions.

These include:

• Spine Disorders: Lumbar strain/sprains, Disc Herniations, Spinal Stenosis, SI Joint Dysfunction, Nerve Impingement
• Knee Disorders: Post-op ACL/Mensical Repairs, Patellar Tracking Disorders, Patellar Tendinitis, Knee Strains/Sprains
• Shoulder Disorders: Rotator Cuff Strains, Adhesive Capsulitis, Post-op Rotator Cuff Repair, Scapular Dysfunction, Biceps Tendinitis, Shoulder Strains/Sprains
• Elbow/Hand Disorders: Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, DeQuervains,
• Foot/Ankle Disorders: Ankle Sprains, Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinitis

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     Providing Quality, Unique, one-on-one Physical Therapy in the Grapevine area since 1989