The term “physical therapy” is well known in the healthcare realm. But it is far from a foregone conclusion that patients understand what it is all about.

What are some of the misconceptions about physical therapy?

Misconception #1: Physical therapists live to torture you. “We are often termed ‘physical terrorists,’” acknowledged Dr. Karyn Staples, PT, PhD, NCPT of ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio in Peachtree City. “Granted, there are some aspects that might be uncomfortable and some procedures that might cause discomfort. But the goal of physical therapy is not to have someone leave feeling worse than when they came in.”

A good physical therapist will listen to the patient and help him or her understand what is needed to get moving again in the right direction. It is not a “no pain, no gain” attitude. It is simply the desire to continue making progress toward total healing.

Misconception #2: You need a doctor’s permission. That is not always true. A patient on Medicare is required to have a physician’s referral, but Georgia law – the Physical Therapist State Practice Act – allows anyone not paying with Medicare to make as many as eight visits without a referral. That means if you have a repeat of a past injury for which you previously had physical therapy, or if you know a doctor visit will result in therapy being prescribed, you can go ahead and schedule that appointment yourself.

Besides, it is not the goal of a good physical therapist to see a patient indefinitely. If you see one at ProHealth, you will get plenty of homework so that you can continue to work toward your own goals on your own time. You won’t be overloaded, however; the focus is on what is important for your recovery.

Misconception #3: It’s just going to get worse. Physical therapy is a temporary process with the idea of getting the job done in a finite number of visits. But some patients worry that once those visits stop, they will regress and even get back to where they started.

“Our purpose of physical therapy is to improve quality and function,” said Staples. “That’s also why we give instructions, sustained exercises and a plan going forward so patients know what they need to continue doing once we are out of the picture. Your progress should not stop just because you stop coming to see us.”

Misconception #4: I won’t see an actual therapist anyway. Some patients think, “I probably won’t see a physical therapist. I’m going to be working with a tech or an aide.”

That is not the case at ProHealth. Every single session will be led by a licensed physical therapist or a licensed physical therapist assistant.

If you’ve had second thoughts about your treatment for any of these reasons, a visit to ProHealth will alleviate those concerns so you can focus solely on getting better.

ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio is located at 1777 Georgian Park in Peachtree City. For more information or to book an appointment, phone 770-487-1931 or visit prohealthga.com.