Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Our goal: Help you get back to better than you were before

After surgery, injury or an acute illness, patients may need special care from physical therapists to help resume their normal, active lifestyles. At Brookwood Baptist Health, we offer personalized rehabilitation therapy in Birmingham and across Central Alabama to meet each patient’s needs, so we can help you get back on your feet.

Our physical therapy program aims to give patients pain-free movement, improved independence and maximum function through personalized plans for all ages and diagnoses.

Brookwood Baptist Health also offers complete decongestive therapy (CDT), which is a multi-faceted treatment that consists of manual lymph drainage, compression therapy, exercise, skincare and self-management education.

Our care does not stop there. At Brookwood Baptist Health, we offer the following rehabilitation services for conditions such as but not limited to:

• Arthritis resulting in neck, back or knee pain, as well as fibromyalgia or polymyalgia rheumatica
• Impaired balance related to vertigo or the lower extremities
• Recovery from joint replacements or arthroscopic surgeries of the hip, knee and shoulder
• Lymphedema of the upper or lower extremities related to post mastectomy or chemo/radiation-induced swellings. Other causes of lymphedema are trauma, infection, immobility and chronic venous insufficiencies.
• Neurological conditions including strokes, transient ischemic attacks, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Speech and swallowing difficulties like aphasias and dysarthria
• Pregnancy-related back pain, post-partum and sacroiliac (SI) joint pain and pelvic floor issues
• Spinal surgery rehab after fusions, discectomies, laminectomies or non-operative back pain
• Sports injuries like rotator cuff tears, anterior cruciate ligament tears, sprains, back and neck pain
• Headaches and migraine pain
• Decreased endurance and increased fatigue with walking difficulties due to foot pain
• Weakness from medical conditions

What Is Orthopedic Physical Therapy?

Orthopedic physical therapy is a health profession that aims to diagnose physical abnormalities, restore and maintain physical function and mobility and promote physical activity and proper function of persons with a compromised musculoskeletal system.

It integrates a person's bodily systems, especially the neurological and cardiovascular systems, with the musculoskeletal system following a surgery, an acute illness or injury. The musculoskeletal system includes the bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons, joints and connective tissue.

Professionals working in this field are called physical therapists. They are trained and licensed to evaluate, diagnose and treat conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system including

• Determining the appropriate movement diagnosis
• Creating a treatment plan
• Administering therapeutic care
• Educating the patient on how to manage an injury or condition to prevent further injury

Physical Therapy Locations for Central Alabama

Inpatient Physical Therapy
Brookwood Baptist Medical Center – Birmingham

Outpatient Physical Therapy
Princeton Baptist Medical Center – Birmingham
Walker Baptist Medical Center – Jasper
Shelby Baptist Medical Center – Alabaster
Citizens Baptist Medical Center – Talladega

Conditions an Orthopedic Physical Therapist Treats

Doctors may recommend physical therapy to patients who have had an injury or illness that interferes with their movement and daily life. Physical therapy may serve as a primary or complementary treatment for conditions such as

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Cancer
• Frozen shoulder
• Knee instability
• Joint pain
• Limited range of motion
• Lower back pain
• Lyme Disease
• Lymphedema
• Muscular dystrophy
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Plantar fasciitis
• Scoliosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Stroke

Types of Treatment Used in Physical Therapy

Physical therapists use a variety of therapeutic modalities, exercises, assistive devices and patient education methods to help patients recover or improve their mobility and strength. Examples of treatments that may be used for orthopedic physical therapy include

• Hot or cold therapy - physical therapists use cryotherapy (cold therapy) and thermotherapy (heat therapy) to treat pain and swelling.
• Exercise therapy - a workout plan that may include strengthening, mobility or balance-building exercises.
• E-stim (electrical stimulation) - the use of an electrical stimulation device that is attached to the injured part of the body to reduce pain.
• Traction - this treatment is conducted using a piece of equipment or the therapist's hands to take the pressure off compressed or damaged joints to reduce neck pain, lower back pain and degenerative disc conditions in the spine.
• Hydrotherapy - a type of therapy that involves performing exercises in a pool or whirlpool as part of rehabilitating injuries or joint pain.
• Soft tissue manipulation - a form of manual physical therapy that uses hands-on techniques to break adhesion and optimize function in the muscles, ligaments and fascia.
• Joint mobilization - a manual technique that involves a therapist moving the patient’s joint firmly and carefully in the desired direction.
• Dry needling - a treatment plan similar to acupuncture that targets the source of tension and pain in the muscle using thin needles.
• Laser or light therapy - makes use of low-level laser or light therapies to boost and repair muscles after an injury.
• Kinesiology taping - bright and flexible band of adhesive tapes made of stretchy fabric that is applied to specific areas of the body to reduce pain and inflammation, decompress trigger points, improve lymphatic drainage, boost circulation and improve flexibility.

When Do You Need a Physical Therapist?

Individuals who undergo physical therapy are those who experience a decrease in quality of life as a result of disability or functional limitations due to disease or injury. Physical therapy may also be recommended to patients with the following conditions:

• Chronic back pain
• Balance problems
• Athletic injuries
• Developmental disabilities in infants
• Severe burns
• Heart or lung problems that interfere with endurance for movement
• Limb deficiencies

Benefits of Orthopedic Physical Therapy

• Pain management that can reduce the need for opioids
• May help avoid surgery
• Improved mobility and movement
• Recovery from injury or trauma
• Recovery from stroke or paralysis
• Fall prevention
• Improved balance
• Management of age-related medical problems