Do you have back pain or a sports injury that needs rehabilitation? Is your baby having trouble swallowing? These are a few reasons your provider may recommend rehabilitation therapy. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy.
What is Physical Therapy (PT)?
Physical therapy works with large muscle groups to help reduce pain, treat an injury, heal after surgery or treat chronic conditions. Your large muscle groups help you walk, drive and perform daily tasks. A physical therapist will work with you to get moving again and hopefully prevent further injury.
A PT can help you with things like:
- sports injuries
- neck, back, knee, or hip pain
- rehabilitation after an accident
- concussions
- pain management
- stroke recovery
- and many other conditions
When you visit the PT, you can expect:
- exercises
- hands-on therapy
- massage
- nerve stimulation
- stretching
What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?
Occupational therapy works with fine motor skills. This includes the small muscle groups you use to complete tasks like tying your shoes, writing or typing. Occupational therapists don't just help with tasks related to your job; they help with things like bathing, shopping or driving.
OTs can treat:
- rehabilitation after surgery
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- chronic conditions or disabilities
- hand injuries
- impairments caused by a stroke
- traumatic brain injuries
- and many other conditions
Your OT looks at your daily life and might provide a combination of tools, resources and exercises to meet your goals.
What is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy treats communication disorders and swallowing issues. A communications disorder affects speaking, understanding, hearing, or communicating with others. A speech language pathologist will use exercises and treatments to meet your needs an SLP can help with many neurological, voice or swallowing disorders including:
| Neurological | Voice | Airway | Swallowing |
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What Type of Therapy do I Need?
Your provider will help you determine which therapy you need. You might need more than one type.
While it may sound like PTs and OTs do similar things, they focus on different muscle groups and types of tasks. For example, a PT may help you walk into a school, while an OT may help you type an email. Speech therapy helps you to share your thoughts and understand others.
Rehabilitation therapy is not just for adults. Children can benefit from these therapies depending on their needs. Each type of therapy has a specialist in pediatric care.
What to Expect
When you go for therapy, you might go through these steps:
- assessment
- interventions
- evaluations and outcomes
The length of therapy depends on the type of rehabilitation you need. It can be for a few weeks, months or even years. Rehabilitation therapists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics or your home , depending on the type of therapy you need.
Resources for TRS-Care and TRS-Active Care
Provider Finder®
Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) if you think you or your dependent need rehabilitation therapy. If you need help finding a PCP or other specialist, use Provider Finder®. A Personal Health Guide can also help you find an in-network provider 24/7 and make you an appointment. Call 1-866-355-5999 or chat through the BCBSTX App.