The power of physical therapy: How on-site rehab helps you recover like the pros
Advanced physical therapy techniques aren’t only for collegiate and professional athletes. Find relief and strength with expert physical therapy.
Why your recovery deserves pro-level care
When an injury stands in your way, recovery can feel like a long and daunting process. Yet, with the right tools and resources, you can recover like a pro athlete.
At UI Health Care, our on-site physical therapy rehabilitation brings together the latest advancements in injury recovery with the expertise of our board-certified physical therapists.
What is on-site physical therapy, and why does it matter for you?
On-site physical therapy allows patients to develop and work on a rapid, effective recovery plan in one-on-one sessions with specialized physical therapists.
Whether you’re beginning physical therapy to assist in injury or post-operative recovery, physical therapists are with you from the very first stages of healing—helping you mobilize your joints—to the last, evaluating if you’re ready to return to your previous activity level.
Many doctor’s visits look the same: Your provider asks questions, assesses your condition, and recommends the best treatment. Physical therapy works in the same way. At your first appointment, the therapist will likely perform a series of tests to determine your strength and current range of motion in the affected joint.
From there, you’ll receive a personalized plan and routine for long-term healing.
“In a physical therapy visit, the testing may be more in-depth regarding the joint or system involved so that we can determine strength and range of motion above and below the involved joint,” says Paul Pursley, MPT, a physical therapist at UI Health Care. “Also, the prescribed ‘medication’ will be exercise and movement to reduce pain and maximize function.”
Numerous diagnoses can benefit from formal physical therapy, no matter your age or activity level. That’s why the expertise and knowledge of your therapist are so important. Once they understand who you are, your goals, and your health, they can guide you to recovery in the way your body is asking for.
“Any situation where a person does not feel that they are functioning at their best may benefit from formal rehab,” Pursley says.
Why choose University of Iowa Health Care for your rehab
At UI Health Care, our teams incorporate university-led research and advanced services to tailor approaches to help you in healing from orthopedic surgery, managing chronic pain, or recovering from a sports injury.
Our services range from sports medicine to pediatric care to cardiopulmonary services. Our teams use their advanced training in vestibular rehabilitation, pelvic health, hemophilia, prosthetic rehabilitation, and more.
This combination of clinical expertise and specialized training means that your rehabilitation is effective and personalized, helping you confidently reach your recovery goals.
"It’s important to have an experienced professional who can guide you through the healing process after an injury or surgical procedure and to prescribe the appropriate graded movement and exercise program,” Pursley says.
When it comes to recovery, where you do your rehab is often just as important as the treatment plan itself. North Liberty's sports medicine clinic was designed with patients in mind. Our providers and therapists were involved in the planning and creation of the clinic to support performance-driven rehabilitation.
"We were included in the design process for the North Liberty facility as well as the equipment that would go into the space,” Pursley says.
The clinic features advanced equipment, personally selected by our physical therapists to bring pro-athlete level resources and tools into the space. These include:
- The Hydroworx Rise, a submerged treadmill that allows for unweighted running.
- The AterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, a treadmill that uses air pressure to reduce body weight.
- The HUMAC Norm System tests muscle strength across different speeds, allowing the therapist to determine safe timelines for return to activity.
Each visit includes a thorough evaluation to identify your needs and goals.
Following your evaluation, the therapist will customize an exercise and movement program, offer hands-on techniques to reduce pain and improve movement, supervise your use of their on-site advanced equipment, and schedule follow-up appointments to check your progress and pain.
"When a patient has access to formal rehab, we have seen significant differences in range of motion, strength, and overall mobility,” Pursley says.
Whether you're overcoming an injury or looking to improve everyday movement, our expert team supports your progress every step. Explore what's possible with care designed around you.