Physical Therapy

Our physical therapists are highly experienced in treating pain and mobility issues related to a wide range of injuries, diseases and conditions in the following specialty areas:

• Neurological therapy supporting neurological health
• Orthopedic physical therapy in partnership with orthopedics
• Women's and pelvic health physical therapy as part of our pelvic health offerings
• Sports physical therapy in partnership with our sports medicine team

Conditions we treat include:

• Arthritis
• Automobile injuries
• Back and spinal conditions
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Falls
• Fibromyalgia
• Fractures
• Hand trauma
• Incontinence
• Joint injuries
• Leg muscle injuries
• Lupus
• Muscle injuries (sprains and strains)
• Neurological disorders
• Orthopedic injuries
• Overuse injuries
• Pelvic floor disorders
• Plantar fasciitis
• Poor balance
• Pre- and post-surgical conditions
• Pregnancy issues
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Shoulder pain and injuries
• Sports injuries
• Work-related injuries

Before physical therapy begins, every patient receives a physical assessment, including a detailed medical history. Working with physicians, physical therapists develop personalized treatment plans that may consist of a variety of techniques, including:

• Therapeutic exercise to build strength and flexibility

• Manual therapy to improve mobility

• Aquatic therapy to reduce stress on joints

• Electrical stimulation or ultrasound for pain relief

• Dry needling to relieve muscle tightness

• Traction for spine-related pain

• Ergonomic and functional training to improve daily movement

Education is also a key part of care. We teach you exercises, pain-management strategies and injury-prevention techniques so you can continue improving at home and reduce the risk of future problems.

During your first physical therapy appointment, your physical therapist will talk through your medical history with you and give you an assessment, which may require doing light exercises or movements. From there, you and your therapist will set a goal and develop a care plan to help you reach it. You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes that allow for free movement.

At Ochsner, we treat you as an individual with specific care needs. We develop a custom plan of care for each person based on their health goals, so the length of time you'll come to therapy can vary. Your therapist will coordinate with your care team to ensure you're getting the care you need to reach your goals.

No, physical therapy should not hurt. If you are visiting a physical therapist for pain, you may experience some discomfort, but your therapist will help you learn to move in ways that minimize your pain.

As part of your rehabilitation plan, your therapist may recommend practicing some skills and exercises from therapy at home. Doing your homework between visits can help your recover faster.