Physical Therapy News, Treatments and Services – December 21, 2025

Physical therapy services have been receiving a lot of attention lately, showcasing their versatility and importance in different stages of patient health and rehabilitation. These treatments can vary from patient to patient, depending on age, health status, or the specific medical condition in question.

For instance, patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, regardless of their age, can greatly benefit from physical therapy. In cases like these, physical therapy services can aid in improving strength, maintaining independence, and enhancing function during and following cancer treatments. Physical therapists can assist with a myriad of concerns such as weakness, balance issues, scar tissue, lymphedema, lack of motion range, and the handling of rehabilitation equipment. To access such services, patients of Fred Hutch require a referral from their physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner.

Another case that illustrates the diverse application of physical therapy includes the rehabilitation and physical therapy programs offered at the UT Health East Texas Rehabilitation Center. These are specially tailored to aid patients in regaining mobility and function following serious surgeries, injuries, or illnesses. The center boasts a 49-bed facility equipped with the latest technology and therapies to give patients the best chance of recovery. Services provided cover both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation needs such as hemodialysis treatment, physical and occupational therapies, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and a specialized program for Parkinson’s disease.

In order to provide the best patient care experience, the Center places these services and treatments within easy access of its patients. Patients requiring trauma care have a Level 1 Trauma Center nearby, while radiology and laboratory departments offer diagnostic and laboratory services for tests such as X-rays and blood tests. Furthermore, limber loss rehabilitation programs focus on helping patients regain function, mobility, and independence after an amputation.

Providing a holistic approach to patient care, other key services include pastoral care, psychology services, respiratory therapy, stroke rehabilitation, and wound care. An interesting service is the transitional living apartments, residential areas that offer the necessary support to patients recovering from injury, illness, or surgery, bridging the gap between hospital care and independent living. A noted therapeutic intervention the clinic provides is the VitalStim Therapy, which is a specialized form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation designed to treat dysphagia, or swallowing disorders.

Outpatient rehabilitative care services further show how versatile their program is. Offerings include aquatics therapy, balance and vestibular program, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, dry needling, limb loss rehabilitation, lymphedema management, orthotic therapy, Parkinson’s program, speech therapy and total joint replacement therapy. Custom splinting, also known as splinting services, offer the fabrication and application of custom splints to support and immobilize joints and muscles during the healing process. To finish the list, work conditioning is a highly structured, goal oriented program of progressive physical activities designed to enhance the work capacity of an injured worker in order to return to the workforce.

In summary, the world of physical therapy and rehabilitation offers a diverse range of services aimed at helping patients regain strength, function, and independence. Therapy is no longer restricted to only physical recovery. Nowadays it encompasses emotional, spiritual, and psychological aspects, making a patient’s journey to recovery an all-encompassing holistic process. Whether you are an inpatient or outpatient, facilities like the UT Health East Texas Rehabilitation Center provide you with the chance to regain your health and strength and get back to doing the activities that you love the most.

Physical therapy is an essential service that has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies. Recent findings reveal a need for improved mitigation strategies and integration of physical therapy services into health emergency preparedness planning on a global scale.

One organization providing comprehensive physical therapy services is the West Haven VA Medical Center, part of the VA Connecticut Health Care system. This center works in partnership with Disabled American Veterans and offers an array of transportation services for veterans needing to attend their medical appointments. They provide on-campus parking shuttles, local van services, beneficiary travel benefits covering round-trip transportation, and patient shuttles that operate between different campuses.

Global efforts in physiotherapy services encountered disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Physiotherapy conducted a survey that revealed low levels of inclusion of physiotherapy services in health emergency preparedness planning. The survey disclosed that out of 125 World Physiotherapy member organisations, 24% did not adopt any mitigation strategies to managing physiotherapy service disruptions during the pandemic, and 64% reported that physiotherapy services were not included in any health emergency preparedness planning.

Health emergencies, whether due to disaster, war, or disease outbreak, create a high demand for acute and long-term rehabilitation services. The COVID-19 pandemic, being a global health emergency, emphasized the need for rehabilitation services to aid recovery for Post COVID conditions or ‘Long Covid’ however, at the same time, such services were heavily disrupted.

Countries around the globe, regardless of income levels, demonstrated low inclusion of physiotherapy services in their overall health emergency preparedness plans. This highlighted the vital need for integrating rehabilitation services into health emergency preparedness planning globally.

An array of mitigation strategies was recorded. Telerehabilitation emerged as the most frequently utilized strategy, replacing or augmenting in-person services. Other strategies included providing home-based care, promoting self-care strategies, redistributing physiotherapist roles, or expanding facility operation hours.

However, despite adopting various mitigation strategies, their effectiveness is likely to be hindered without the formal integration of rehabilitation into national or sub-national emergency preparedness planning.

Interestingly, the study found no correlation between a country’s income level and the adoption of health emergency preparedness measures. This suggests that all countries, regardless of economic status, should strive to implement comprehensive preparedness methods.

Going forward, future research and surveys should continue to examine mitigation strategies and health emergency preparedness measures. A longitudinal study could establish baseline data to monitor progress. More detailed comparisons could also evaluate the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies.

Moreover, advocacy and awareness-raising efforts are needed to emphasize the significant role of rehabilitation services in health emergencies, thereby fostering their integration into national and sub-national health emergency preparedness planning. Technical support from international organizations and governments is vital for such advancements.

In conclusion, the need for robust physical therapy services is apparent, particularly in times of health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The development and implementation of effective mitigation strategies and emergency preparedness plans are crucial steps in ensuring that these essential services remain operational and accessible to those in need.

Title: Revolutionizing Physical Therapy Services: The Promising Innovations at HSS Pediatric Rehabilitation and Young Athlete Center and Sanford Health West Fargo

The world of physical therapy is evolving with new centers cropping up, offering cutting-edge treatment methods and specialized facilities that redefine patient care. This article primarily focuses on the stellar services provided by the HSS Pediatric Rehabilitation and Young Athlete Center in New York and the freshly minted physical therapy services at Sanford Health West Fargo.

Serving young athletes, infants, and toddlers requiring neurodevelopmental, orthopedic, and sports rehabilitation, the HSS Pediatric Rehabilitation & Young Athlete Center has emerged as a leading pediatric outpatient rehabilitation center. This facility, designed for optimized patient and family comfort, is nestled in the heart of Manhattan on the Upper East Side.

The center boasts a dynamic team comprising occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists, all having advanced training in neurodevelopmental, orthopedic, and sports rehabilitation. They offer tailored programs for young athletes that enhance sports performance, address rehabilitation needs, and prevent potential injuries utilizing their clinical expertise combined with modern technology and equipment.

The center’s facilities include two exclusive physical therapy gyms, private speech therapy spaces with SMART Board™ access, an occupational therapy gym equipped with a climbing wall and age-specific sensory equipment. They also cater to patients with language and communication needs and those who need help with swallowing and feeding. Their Assistive Technology Clinic is a dedicated space for children requiring mobility equipment, assistive devices, or augmentative communication tools.

What sets this center apart is its kid-centric approach. The team consults with healthcare experts across the broader tri-state area, facilitating a holistic and tailored treatment program for their young patients.

To streamline the treatment process, HSS allows children to receive care from their therapists even without prior consultation with an HSS physician. The center only requires a prescription for therapy services from a medical professional like a doctor, physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner.

On the other side of the country, Sanford Health West Fargo has widened its offerings by including physical therapy services. With a focus on providing attentive and personalized treatment to patients, these services aim to help patients return to their normal routines and prevent future injuries.

At Sanford, patients can work one-on-one with an experienced physical therapist who monitors their progress and provides suitable treatment to optimize the body’s healing pace. When it comes to managing mobility injuries, physical therapists at Sanford take a three-pronged approach -evaluating, treating, and preventing potential mobility ailments.

As expressed by Sanford Health lead physical therapist, David Tompkins, their new physical therapy service will play a pivotal role in patient recovery by helping them return to everyday life more smoothly. Additionally, the decision of expanding their services to include physical therapy is a part of their broader goal of providing accessible and localized care to their community.

Sanford’s physical therapists specialize in several treatments, including dizziness and imbalance treatment, dry needling, LSVT BIG treatment for Parkinson’s, lymphedema therapy, orthopedic care, pain management along with postoperative services, stroke rehabilitation, and women’s health care.

Eager to provide easily accessible services to their community, Sanford’s West Fargo center offers physical therapy from Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In the face of an evolving healthcare landscape, both HSS Pediatric Rehabilitation & Young Athlete Center and Sanford Health West Fargo stand at the forefront with their advanced and patient-centric physical therapy services, broadening their wings to embrace innovative techniques for providing impactful treatments.

Incorporating Online Physical Therapy: Bridging the Gap between Digital Innovations and Holistic Rehabilitation

In recent years, there has been tremendous growth in the physical therapy market, fueled by the convergence of cutting-edge tech innovations and escalating healthcare needs. The global physical therapy market size, valued at USD$26.04 billion in 2025, is projected to increase to USD$49.18 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 7.32% from 2025 to 2034. This rapid growth is driven by the rising need for musculoskeletal health, a geriatric population susceptible to chronic conditions like arthritis, and post-operative rehabilitation demand.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Physical Therapy

Further augmenting the sphere of traditional rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has introduced data-driven, personalized treatment strategies. AI-powered platforms are equipped to monitor patient progress in real-time, predict recovery timelines, and tailor therapy plans. These platforms leverage motion sensors, computer vision, and machine learning algorithms for precise patient movement monitoring and instant feedback, significantly reducing the need for continuous physical supervision. Virtual physical therapy assistants and tele-rehab programmers deploy AI to guide patients through exercises while ensuring correct posture and movement, promoting better treatment outcomes and patient engagement.

Apart from patient support, AI also facilitates practitioners, aiding in analyzing sizeable datasets to identify trends, detect anomalies at early stages, and improve diagnostic precision. This not only optimizes treatment efficacy but also broadens access to quality care, especially for remote or underprivileged regions.

The Bigger Picture: Market Insights

The global physical therapy market is undergoing considerable growth, catalyzed by a few key factors. The critically important factor is the aging population, leading to an escalation in chronic conditions such as arthritis and stroke. With the advent of the pandemic, health consciousness has magnified, inducing more individuals to seek preventive and therapeutic care. Also, the rising incidence of lifestyle-related injuries, predominantly attributed to sedentary behavior and poor posture, is adding to the rising demand for physical therapy services.

While post-operative rehabilitation requirements are noteworthy, especially in patients recovering from orthopedic and neurological surgeries, the adoption of outpatient and home-based care models is simultaneously gaining momentum, thereby enhancing the demand for mobile physical therapy services, aligning with the rising trend towards personalized care, and propelling the growth of the market.

Key Market Trends: Embracing Telehealth and Artificial Intelligence

Telehealth platforms, under the digital health spectrum, are enabling remote consultations, assessments, and therapy sessions with the help of mobile apps and video conferencing tools, augmenting accessibility, compliance, and reducing the burden on physical clinics. AI’s integration extends to motion analysis, predictive recovery modeling, and automated progress tracking. Computer vision and wearable sensors facilitate precise evaluation of patient movements, while smart algorithms assist clinicians in optimizing therapy plans, reducing recovery times and refining clinical outcomes. In the realm of rehabilitation, wearable technologies like smart braces, fitness trackers, and muscle stimulators are being integrated into rehabilitation protocols, collecting continuous biomechanical and physiological data, aiding therapists in monitoring adherence and effectiveness.

Bridging the Gap: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation at UT Health Pittsburg

At UT Health Pittsburg, the rehabilitation team is committed to providing holistic rehab services for various medical conditions, including cardiopulmonary problems and neurological conditions. The specialized programs offer improved mobility and balance and increased strength and endurance. Using state-of-the-art techniques in physical therapy, the specialists deliver therapies with the objective of controlling shortness of breath, preventing, alleviating or eliminating pain, improving posture, improving balance, stimulating cognitive function, and enhancing patients’ abilities to engage in activities of daily living.

Further, UT Health Pittsburg also offers the Swing Bed Program, aimed at transitioning patients from acute hospitalization back to the community reaching their pre-hospitalization level of independence and function. The focus here is short-term rehabilitative services or less intensive medical care, assisting patients in the same room, under the care of the same physicians, nurses, and hospital staff through their process of healing and gaining strength for their return home.

At the same time, the in-home rehabilitation and Choice Health At Home services offer a broad spectrum of home-based healthcare services and programs, bringing healthcare to the patient’s doorstep, ensuring quality care in the comfy surroundings of home. Accommodating the importance of integrating physical therapy into one’s lifestyle, UT Health’s Olympic Fitness Centers combine expert guidance with state-of-the-art facilities to offer fitness classes, personal training, and tailored fitness programs.

With the integration of digital innovation and the high demand for rehabilitation services, the physical therapy market is residing at the cusp of a revolutionary transformation. The high prevalence of chronic diseases, increasing awareness about physical health and a growing responsiveness towards digital health technologies are promising factors for the robust growth of this market in the years to come. However, resolving challenges such as the shortage of skilled professionals and handling high costs are vital to optimizing this potential for growth.

2. New Research Highlights the Efficacy of Virtual Physical Therapy
Recent studies have underscored the effectiveness of tele-rehabilitation or virtual physical therapy. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, access to physical therapy services became constrained, propelling the adoption of virtual platforms. A study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy in July found that in terms of improving pain and functionality, tele-rehabilitation yielded similar results as in-person treatment.

Patients who were part of the virtual therapy group reported being highly satisfied with their treatment, even suggesting the continuation of this service beyond the pandemic. Resource constraints, remote geographic locations, severe weather, and now, contagious diseases, have tested the foundations of healthcare and rehabilitation services. But, physical therapists have adapted and delivered effective care, pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Besides offering equal results to traditional physical therapy, tele-rehabilitation provides extensive benefits: reduced travel time, decreased risk of exposure to infectious diseases, increased patient comfort, and heightened availability of services. A multitude of other studies concur with these findings presenting a pivotal moment for the physical therapy profession as it evolves and confronts new challenges.

3. Breakthrough Physical Therapy Introduces Innovative Treatments for Chronic Pain
Breakthrough Physical Therapy, a provider of outpatient orthopedic physical therapy in North Carolina, is making a name for itself for introducing innovative treatments to manage and eliminate chronic pain. The clinic’s multifaceted approach, which includes everything from hands-on manual therapy to pain neuroscience education, empowers patients to take charge of their rehabilitation.

One of the treatments that the clinic offers is dry needling, in which thin needles are inserted into tape bands, or trigger points, in the muscle, offering relief from musculoskeletal pain. It has also introduced a state-of-the-art treatment called Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) therapy that involves the use of specialized cuffs on exercising muscles, restricting blood flow to enhance muscle strength and growth.

Breakthrough Physical Therapy has also embraced digital health, offering online physical therapy sessions. With this, they have joined the ranks of modern physical therapists who are redefining the boundaries of patient care by providing effective rehabilitation services remotely.

4. Peloton and ProForm+ Bring Fitness and Physical Therapy Services Together
Physical therapy and fitness, two fields that were previously treated separately, are increasingly intersecting as companies realize the shared goal between the two: promoting overall health. Peloton and ProForm+, two well-known fitness equipment and service companies, have taken innovative strides toward combining physical fitness and physical therapy.

Peloton, known for its stationary bikes and live fitness classes, has recently integrated physical therapy into its holistic health approach. The company now offers a range of classes dedicated to physical therapy and recovery, with workouts and stretches designed to help those recovering from injuries.

Similarly, ProForm+ has also integrated physical therapy into their offerings, most notably with the provision of elliptical trainers, a versatile piece of fitness equipment often used in rehabilitation. By combining physical fitness with physical therapy, these companies are paving the way for a more cohesive approach to health and wellness.

5. Physical Therapy After COVID-19: A New Frontier
The long-term effects of COVID-19, also known as post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), have shown the need for long-term rehabilitative services. Physical therapists are essential in aiding the recovery process of patients recovering from severe and prolonged COVID-19 symptoms, commonly referred to as ‘long COVID’.

A study published in Physical Therapy Journal (PTJ) found that physical therapy can dramatically improve the health and quality of life for patients recovering from severe COVID-19. The interventions used ranged from reconditioning exercises and balance training to breathing and mobility exercises, all of which helped improve endurance and strength in ‘long-haul’ patients.

The idea of physical therapy for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation has spurred the emergence of specialized ‘post-COVID’ clinics, where physical therapists work with a multidisciplinary team to help patients recover their strength and functionality. These clinics will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the ongoing struggle against the pandemic.

The adaptive approach of physical therapy services in the face of recent challenges clearly demonstrates the field’s ability to evolve and cope with public health crises, exhibit continuous innovation in treatment offerings, and maintain a resilient commitment to patient care. As a result, the future of physical therapy looks promising as it continues to expand its scope and influence in healthcare.