Physical Therapy
Whether you've suffered an injury, have a chronic pain condition, or have just been through surgery, physical therapy can help you recover. The physical therapists that work with our surgeons at Total Joint Specialists excel at using the right combinations of active and passive treatments to provide the most benefits and optimize healing.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy uses a variety of active and passive treatments to help repair and strengthen weak or damaged areas of your body following an injury, surgery, or illness.
The right active physical therapies maximize recovery by increasing blood flow to the affected tissues, delivering essential oxygen and nutrients for regeneration. Studies indicate that an active approach, involving stretches and strengthening exercises, is superior for promoting overall health, improving posture, coordination, balance, and endurance, while also increasing heart rate. This approach promotes a quicker return to a healthy and active lifestyle.
Physical therapy also helps strengthen your connective tissues, like ligaments and tendons, and muscles. These soft tissues can lose activation or atrophy if unused, but physical therapy keeps you flexible and improves mobility as well as balance. Physical therapy also offers significant benefits to your mental health while you're recovering from an illness or injury. Both confidence and mood elevate with activity and movement.
When Would I Need Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is an essential part of the successful treatment of most musculoskeletal conditions, including all forms of:
- Arthritis
- Joint pain
- Tendonitis
- Repetitive strain injuries
Our team at Total Joint Specialists uses physical therapy to prepare patients for surgery and rehabilitate those who have undergone joint replacement operations, such as hip and knee replacement. They also provide services for those undergoing treatment for orthopedic cancers.
What Techniques Are Used in Physical Therapy?
There are a wide variety of physical therapy techniques. Some of the methods used by our team of physical therapists at Total Joint Specialists include:
- Electrical stimulation
- Manual therapy
- Targeted exercises
- Guided training
Online Physical Therapy
Our team may recommend the use of a postoperative online physical therapy program called Force Therapeutics. This is a free video-based recovery program that guides patients through exercises proven to provide excellent outcomes from the comfort of home after joint replacement surgery. Our staff monitors the patient's progress and communicates during the recovery period through a Patient Portal. Some patients can do online home Force Therapeutics therapy alone while others will do better with outpatient therapy. This will be evaluated by the surgical team.
Find out more about all our physical therapy services available at Total Joint Specialists by calling (770) 292-6500 or requesting an appointment online now. We offer convenient offices throughout the region: Acworth, Alpharetta, Braselton, Canton, Cumming, Ellijay, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, Midtown (Atlanta), Sandy Springs, Snellville, and Woodstock, Georgia.
From Our Patients
Dr. Wood listened to my concerns regarding my previous surgery. His entire team followed the plan that he established and kept me informed during the process. The pre-surgery plan included Dr. Wood, whose team was also very informative and caring. The positive outcome of the surgery was noticed immediately after recovery. I could stand up straight and lay flat on my back.
Bernard B
Dr. Vojdani is a wonderful surgeon with a great bedside manner. I am currently 6 weeks post hip replacement and my recovery has been amazing. Their whole team is very responsive within the patient portal. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
Brandi R.
Dr. Seng is a phenomenal orthopedic doctor! His expertise and care are truly commendable. He took the time to listen to my concerns, thoroughly explained my diagnosis, and proposed a treatment plan that was effective. His professionalism and compassion made me feel at ease throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Dr. Seng to anyone in need of orthopedic care!
Kim B.
Dr. Naylor and his staff have been amazing prior to, during and after my knee replacement revision surgery. He has taken the time to answer my questions, address any concerns and so far, my recovery is going very well. I would highly recommend him for any future needs.
Laura G.
Dr. Land made me feel so comfortable. He gave me confidence in explaining what we saw on the x-rays. He exudes confidence and shows how smart he is! I will certainly go back to see him if I have knee or hip problems.
Lamar C.
Dr Godfrey is an excellent doctor/surgeon. Very caring and takes time to listen to your issues.
Jeff K.
Dr. Dean and the entire staff in the offices and at the surgery center were so kind, friendly and professional. I am 6 1/2 weeks post op. I am doing everything I want to and have no pain, only occasional stiffness or discomfort and that quickly resolves. I had my second post op appointment today and no more physical therapy for me! The surgery and recovery has far surpassed what I anticipated. I’d say I’m nearly 100% and feel I have no limitations! You really don’t realize how bad things were until you recover from replacement! I’m so thankful I had this done! I know that my success is because Dr. Dean did a fantastic job with the total hip replacement and prepared me well with classes, FORCE, pre and post op physical therapy. I’m grateful to him and Dee Whitacre for always answering my questions, explaining so it’s easy to understand and preparing me to such a great extent. I have already, and will continue to highly recommend Dr. Dean and Total Joint Specialists!
Lianne D.
Everything was exceptional-- from making the initial appointment to my follow up surgery appointment 6 weeks later. The education process was terrific; Dr Bradbury was awesome in that he gave me time and explained the hip procedure and post operative instructions very well. The day of surgery was extraordinary in that I went in and 4 hours later was walking out with a new hip. The Force PT staff were superior in both communications and advice. Overall I give it an 11 out of 10!!Highly recommend Dr Bradbury for both hip and knee surgeries. He is the best!!!!
Mat S.
Dr. Gottsman made me feel so comfortable with a decision to have a total knee arthroplasty. He is not only a very experienced and excellent surgeon, but an extremely easy person to work with. He listens to you, is very responsive to your questions and concerns, and apparently cares a lot about his patients. I am so far completely satisfied with him and his very good team.
Dennis S.
Dr Statton is one of the best. He performed both of my knee replacement surgeries and I have been very well pleased. He and his team have been extremely attentive and supportive throughout my entire procedure and recovery. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great surgeon.
Angela A.
Dr Guild is the most caring and professional Doctor anyone could hope to have. Technically he is in the top 1% and he is at the top of that 1%. He is excellent skill wise and he has a great bed side manner. A rare combination. His office and staff are efficient and friendly. Another rarity! I live downtown. Near the Capitol and I drive to Cummings to see Dr Guild. I recommend Dr Guild to everyone.
Cayenne B.
Had both my hips replaced by Dr. Kress over the last 20 years, still going strong . The entire team is outstanding from the administration to the evaluation (Eddie Bean) to the education/orientation. I could not give a stronger recommendation to the entire team, their practice and the ongoing experience.
Richard A.
Dr. Gupta is one of the best there is. His knowledge and care are second to none. I highly recommend Dr. Gupta for a knee or hip replacement.
Andrew S.
Dr. DeCook made me feel comfortable from the moment I passed him in the hallway going to my room. He made me laugh and laughed back at my goofy remarks. He explained everything in a language I fully understood and answered my questions in an extremely polite and easy to understand way. Excellent experience.
Susan H.