Physical Therapy

What is Physical Therapy?

Whether you need to return to an active lifestyle, remain independent, or maintain your sense of well-being, UR Medicine's physical therapy program is designed to help you get back to your daily routine at home and at work.

The goal of physical therapy is to preserve, restore, or enhance physical function that is impaired by injury, disease, or disability. Some typical conditions treated by a physical therapist include, but are not limited to, overuse syndrome, tendonitis, muscle strains and sprains, joint dysfunctions, headaches, jaw problems, and persistent pain.

UR Medicine's Approach

UR Medicine's Physical Therapy program offers a full range of physical therapy treatments for people of all ages, from infancy to older adults.

Our specialists will work with you to help you regain function in your daily activities with more confidence.

Types of Physical Therapy

Outpatient physical therapy provides specialized treatment to promote recovery and independence for individuals with neurological disorders, neck and back injuries, concussions, and pre-operative and post-operative rehabilitation. Additional therapies include pelvic floor therapy and balance training.

Inpatient physical therapy is available during an acute care hospital stay for patients who have an illness or injury that has significantly changed their ability to move around or take care of themselves.

Pediatric physical therapy helps individuals from infancy through teenage years with a variety of conditions to improve their function. Each treatment program is developed based on age and developmental level with the input of the child and family, as well as collaboration with the physician and other ancillary services.

What Sets Us Apart?

Our extensive team of experts has access to state-of-the-art equipment, including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat and cold therapy, and aquatic therapy.

We create personalized, activity-specific exercise programs to restore function to get patients back to an active lifestyle. Patient and family education programs include home exercise programs, body mechanics, and ergonomics.

Our physical therapists may suggest active therapies, or exercise programs, that include a combination of:

Stretching: Low back pain is associated with tight hamstring muscles. People who suffer from lower back pain should stretch their hamstring muscles once or twice a day for 30-45 seconds at a time. The hamstring muscle may be stretched in several different ways, from most difficult to least difficult.
Learn more about hamstring stretching.
Strengthening: To strengthen back muscles, the two most commonly prescribed exercises are McKenzie or lumbar stabilization exercises. Patients should do 15-20 minutes of exercising, every other day. Learn more about strengthening exercises.
Low-impact aerobic conditioning: Low impact aerobics (such as walking, bicycling, or swimming) should be done for 30-40 minutes three times a week, on alternate days from the strengthening exercises. Learn more about aerobic exercise.