Today, therapy’s commonly associated with seeing a mental health professional for counseling. In actuality, there are multiple therapists, including occupational therapists, recreational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists.

Anyone who hasn’t received these types of therapy may be confused by the range of options. Perhaps someone suggested you might need physical therapy (PT), but you aren’t sure how you’ll benefit. Let’s look at what physical therapists do and why you might need PT treatment, finding a physical therapist, and how a personal injury attorney could help with your PT costs.

Physical Therapy and PT Patients

Physical therapists are licensed medical professionals with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. These medical experts focus on physical health and evaluate patients with mobility and balance issues. Physical therapists develop a treatment plan based on the individual’s condition and goals and use exercises to help them restore their balance and expand their range of motion.

Many people need PT after an accident. Suppose you were in a truck accident and you’re recovering from multiple broken bones. A physical therapist may provide you with assistive devices, such as walkers, to help you rebuild your muscles and regain your balance after your accident.

Physical therapists also work with people who’ve been ill. A person who’s suffered a stroke may benefit from PT because their therapist can help them relearn how to walk and improve mobility.

You may also need PT if you’ve lost a limb. Physical therapists work with amputees and help them learn to use an artificial limb. Athletes may also need physical therapists to help them recover from sports injuries.

Locating PT Services

Locating a licensed physical therapist doesn’t have to be challenging. Google “physical therapy near me” to locate a physical therapist in your area. Professional PTs will outline their specialties and the types of patients they treat. Whether you’re an athlete who sustained an injury or you’re recovering from surgery, you’ll find licensed PTs who can create a customized treatment plan to address your health care needs. They’ll also outline their treatment options, such as Kinesio taping, dry needling, and vestibular rehabilitation.

Personal Injury Lawyers

When lawyers attend law school, they select a specialty and focus on studying that field of law to prepare for the types of cases they’ll handle once they start their legal career. Personal injury lawyers offer legal services to people affected by accident injuries or medical malpractice. They also handle wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of the victim’s family. Their primary objectives involve protecting the legal rights of those injured in accidents and fighting for accident victims to receive fair compensation for costs related to their accident.

Whether you were in a truck accident or a slip-and-fall accident, you may have sustained severe injuries impairing your ability to work, resulting in lost income. Additionally, you may have medical bills stemming from the cost of medical tests and treatments addressing your injuries.

Many accident victims also have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may need mental health care following their accident. In addition to your health care costs and loss of income, you may need to replace damaged property or incur retraining costs if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job.

Personal injury law firms hire attorneys trained to handle personal injury lawsuits. They offer free consultations, ensuring you’re comfortable with their firm and have grounds for a lawsuit before hiring an attorney. Your Chicago personal injury attorney will file a lawsuit, talk to witnesses, collect evidence, and prepare your legal case. They’ll also negotiate with insurance companies and defendants, fighting to ensure you receive a fair settlement after your accident. Use the funds from your legal settlement to cover your PT costs, as well as other medical expenses.

Physical therapists provide health care treatment to accident victims, athletes, and people recovering from illnesses. They help people learn to use assistive devices and improve their mobility after an accident.