So maybe you took a dreaded fall not that long ago, or ended up undergoing the knee replacement you put off for so long. Or maybe you just find yourself more stiff and achy due to osteoarthritis in your knee or hip. Or maybe you just can’t rid yourself of that lower back pain, no matter how long you sit with a heating pad. Is there anything left to try for some relief and recovery? It just may be that a physical therapist can help you in your recovery, rehabilitation, or resilience to the challenges posed by your aging body. In the United States, physical therapists are required to have a doctor of physical therapy degree from an accredited program, which will then allow them to diagnose and treat individuals for pain, movement and mobility problems, restoration of functioning, and injury prevention. They can be “generalists” or specialize with additional training, including pediatric or geriatric physical therapists. For a general overview of physical therapists and the types of services they can render, take a look at this Merck Manual explanation here.

A good physical therapist will first take the time to assess your pain, movement, and functioning and determine where problems lay and what would be the best modality for addressing them. Beyond whatever problems you currently have, the therapist will also be on the lookout to proactively catch problems that could turn into bigger challenges down the line. So, for example, you may be focused on strengthening your ankle and walking normally after a fracture, but an experienced therapist will also be on the lookout for subsequent problems that may crop up long after your injury has technically healed. What kind of modalities will the therapist use? There will be individualized exercises along with manual therapy (massage and manipulation by the therapist to increase flexibility or realign joints and bones). There might also be the use of hot or cold therapies to temporarily relieve pain or swelling or increase blood flow, but some of these modalities, along with electrical stimulation or ultrasound, are increasingly falling out of favor, as evidence-based research demonstrates that they have little long term effect on recovery and healing. While you may experience soreness or temporary pain after a session, there is little risk of injury from the services of a physical therapist and a significant potential upside. 

So how do you find a physical therapist and pay for one? Finding one is likely through the recommendation of your primary care physician or orthopedist, who may have a list of local therapists to whom they refer. What should you be on the lookout for? Someone who will take the time to adequately consider and diagnose your problem and whose training is based on evidence-supported treatment regimens. You obviously want a credentialed and experienced therapist, preferably one who specializes in your symptoms and can communicate well with you regarding your recovery along with setting realistic expectations. If through your own network, you aren’t able to find recommendations, you may wish to try on the website of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Regarding the cost of such therapy, it will very much depend upon your symptoms, your location, and the type of insurance you have. Traditional Medicare will cover some amount of physical therapy if it is deemed medically necessary (if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you will need to check the scope of coverage). With Medicare, a physician or other health care provider will need to certify your need for physical therapy, and even then, if you are covered in an outpatient setting under Part B, you will need to pay your part of the deductible and then cover 20% of the Medicare-approved payment. (In some states you can access a physical therapist without the need for a referral from a primary care physician). If you are covered by another commercial insurer, you will need to check your policy as to how much is covered, for what conditions, and for how long. Regardless of your insurance, it may be that you will benefit from therapy longer than what will be covered and will thus need to consider what you can handle out of pocket (remembering that proactive therapy could save you from injury or misery down the line). Costs can range anywhere from $75-$350 per session, with the average being in the $150 range.

So the next time an injury, illness, or just random aspect of aging poses a limit to your movement or mobility (or causes pain), consider adding a physical therapist to the mix- you just may find yourself in a better place as a result. For a comprehensive review of all aspects of physical therapy, you may want to take a look at a series of useful articles published in Forbes this past year: What is Physical Therapy?; How To Find the Best Physical Therapist; How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost?; Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy: What’s The Difference?; In-Home Physical Therapy: What To Know.