Physical therapy

Our knowledgeable and compassionate physical therapy staff will work with you to get you back to doing what you enjoy most.

We offer early morning and evening appointments at five convenient locations. To schedule an appointment, please call 315.349.5558, and our friendly staff will gladly assist you with the paperwork and other details. Before being seen, you will need a prescription from your doctor.

Most patients can be seen the same day or within 48 hours. Your privacy and comfort are priorities. Remember to wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to complete a brief health history form.

At your initial evaluation, a trained therapist will determine your needs and develop a specialized treatment plan. Special tests will be performed to identify the basis for your movement issues. Our therapists have a solid knowledge of manual therapy and will make a clinical decision on what type of treatment will best meet your needs. Physical therapy requires active participation to decrease your pain and improve your movement. Each appointment will last one hour. Your progress will be tracked and measured by your therapist, and you will be updated on your functional improvement regularly.

Physical therapy is a specialty service that evaluates and treats muscle and joint problems of the spine and extremities. Our physical therapists work to restore normal mobility, strength and function with your individual goals in mind. Treatment may include patient education; therapeutic exercise; manual therapy; and pain relief techniques such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation and ultrasound.

What problems are appropriate for physical therapy treatment?

Our physical therapists address:

• Arthritis
• Fractures
• Gait and balance problems
• Headaches and neck pain
• Ligament injuries
• Muscle and joint pain
• Peripheral nerve injuries
• Spinal problems
• Surgery-related concerns (before or after the procedure)
• Tendinitis
• Work and sport injuries

How do physical therapists help?

• Use of specific exercise and pain relief techniques
• Use of manual techniques, including soft tissue and joint mobilization
• Instruction in home programs
• Instruction in posture awareness and body mechanics and ergonomics
• Instruction in self-help and injury-prevention programs

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Physical therapy quiz

Take this quiz to learn what a physical therapist does and when you might need one.

Reviewed 2/3/2023

PHYSICAL THERAPY QUIZ

TRUE OR FALSE?

Physical therapists (PTs) are experts in movement. They can help people reach their fitness goals and maintain independent, active lives. How much do you know about the many ways PTs can help you?

START THE QUIZ

True or false? PTs mostly treat people who are recovering from orthopedic surgery.

False. Orthopedic care is only one part of physical therapy. PTs may also help with a wide range of other issues, such as:

• Chronic pain.
• Developmental disabilities.
• Heart or lung problems.
• Cancer and lymphedema.
• Neurological issues, like multiple sclerosis.
• Pelvic pain.
• Urinary incontinence.
• Wounds.

True or false? Increasing the use of physical therapy could help alleviate the opioid epidemic.

True. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says physical therapy can be a safe and effective alternative to opioids for chronic pain. Opioids come with the risk of addiction and overdose.

True or false? Your doctor might refer you to a PT to help you avoid surgery.

True. Physical therapy has been found to work just as well as surgery for some conditions. These include:

• Knee osteoarthritis.
• Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Degenerative disk disease.

True or false? PTs work almost exclusively in hospitals.

False. Many do work in hospitals. But you can also find PTs providing care in:

• Outpatient clinics.
• Homes.
• Schools.
• Sports and fitness clubs.
• Workplaces.
• Nursing homes.

True or false? Physical therapy can include many types of treatment.

True. PTs may use a variety of techniques depending on your health needs. Examples include hands-on manipulation, patient education, working with exercise equipment, stretching maneuvers, dry needling, exercise and aquatic therapy.

Occupational therapy can also be helpful for many people. Test your knowledge of occupational therapy by taking this quiz.

TEST YOUR SMARTS

Sources: American Physical Therapy Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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