How Clinical Evaluations and Diagnosis Help Patients Undergoing Physical Therapy
on Thursday, February 8, 2018
In the Information Age, many folks are quick to self-diagnose themselves based on the infinite information provided via the internet. In many ways, this new way of researching has been a valuable tool in self-identifying certain disorders and even red flags for more treacherous diseases. The drawback, of course, is that this type of self-evaluation can lead to alarmist conclusions that cause more stress than necessary. The truth is that without an evaluation by a specialist, any conclusion regarding your health is strictly speculatory.
Physical therapy treats innumerable conditions, which makes clinical evaluations so crucial to the success of treatment. Many ailments can easily be confused or misidentified if not diagnosed by a professional physical therapist. For example, a gradual pain onset is frequently the result of a mobility issue or muscle imbalance. In some cases, like elbow pain for instance, one may experience referred pain to the affected area from a cervical spine or upper thoracic spine condition. This common scenario can be identified by your physical therapist during your clinical evaluation and be treated accordingly.
Additionally, issues related to auto and work-related injuries, chronic pain, elbow pain, foot and ankle pain, headaches, dizziness, hip and knee pain, neck and back pain, pre/post-operative rehabilitation, and shoulder pain can be treated far more effectively once an evaluation and diagnosis have been performed.
Renew Physical Therapy is proud to serve Portland-area residents suffering from chronic pain and mobility issues. Renew Physical Therapy utilizes several therapeutic modalities, including cold/heat, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to relieve pain and reduce inflammation as well as massage, specialized mobilization and taping techniques, and therapeutic stretching/strengthening exercises to restore pain-free function.
Visit our About Us page to learn more about our practice, clinic, and staff.
