What Is Physical Therapy? | How Our DPTs Can Help You
When you hear the term “physical therapy,” you might think of someone recovering from surgery or rehabbing a sports injury. While those are common scenarios, physical therapy is much more than that. At Arsenal Performance and Rehabilitation, our Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPTs) help patients of all ages move better, recover faster, and prevent future injuries.
What Exactly Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a branch of healthcare focused on restoring movement, reducing pain, and improving physical function. It combines hands-on techniques, targeted exercise, and patient education to help you reach your personal health and performance goals.
Our DPTs are trained to assess how your body moves, identify the root cause of your symptoms, and design a plan that’s unique to you — whether you’re coming back from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or trying to boost athletic performance.
Benefits of Physical Therapy
While pain relief is often the first thing that brings patients to PT, the benefits go far beyond feeling better in the moment. With consistent, evidence-based treatment, you can expect:
Improved Mobility & Flexibility – Whether it’s bending, reaching, or walking without discomfort, PT helps restore your full range of motion.
Increased Strength & Stability – Targeted exercises strengthen not only the injured area but also the supporting muscles, helping you move with confidence.
Better Balance & Coordination – Especially important for older adults or anyone recovering from injury to reduce the risk of falls.
Injury Prevention – By correcting movement patterns and strengthening weak points, PT helps stop problems before they start.
Faster Recovery After Surgery or Injury – Guided rehabilitation ensures you regain function safely and efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About Physical Therapy
Myth 1: Physical therapy is just exercise.
While exercise is a key part of treatment, PT also includes manual therapy, mobility work, patient education, and specialized techniques like dry needling or joint mobilization.
Myth 2: You need a referral to see a physical therapist.
In Ohio, you can see a physical therapist directly without a physician’s referral for most conditions — meaning you can start getting help sooner.
Myth 3: Physical therapy is only for injuries.
PT is also for performance enhancement, preventive care, and managing chronic conditions like arthritis or balance disorders.
Myth 4: PT is painful.
While you may experience some discomfort during recovery, your therapist’s goal is always to work within your tolerance and make progress safely.
How Our DPTs Make the Difference
Every physical therapist at Arsenal holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, the highest entry-level degree in the profession. This means you’re working with clinicians who have:
Years of advanced education in anatomy, biomechanics, and rehabilitation science.
Hundreds of hours of supervised clinical experience.
Ongoing training in specialized techniques to deliver the most effective care possible.
Our approach blends hands-on treatment with customized exercise programs, so you leave each session not just feeling better, but also with the tools to keep improving between visits.
Bottom line: Physical therapy isn’t just about getting out of pain — it’s about building a body that moves well, feels strong, and stays resilient.
If you’re ready to move better, recover faster, and take control of your health, our team at Arsenal Performance and Rehabilitation is here to help.