Physical Therapy Argumentative Essay

In America each year over 50% of people over the age of 18, develop a musculoskeletal injury lasting longer than three months. Physical therapy is emerging as one of the greatest forms of treatment in the medical world, treating more people than ever before with advances in technology and more knowledge improving patient outcome; however patients experiences are worsening with new healthcare, more outpatient exercise rather than inpatient therapy, and lack of available treatment in rural areas. Physical therapy, also known as PT, is beneficial for patients in more ways than not. PT is needed to rehabilitate people after injuries which is why the benefits outweigh the costs. Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who diagnose and
The insurance was split into plans which all offer the same essential health benefits allowing patients the right to “emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, and prescription drugs”(Andrus 1). Insurance has allowed people to pay less and now this is giving the PT practices a lower profit. “As a result, some therapy providers are making up for revenue shortfalls—and thus, keeping the lights on in their clinics—by squeezing even more appointments into their already jam-packed schedules”(Andrus 1) and giving high level positions to less qualified individuals, such as physical therapy assistants (PTAs) or other aides. Therapists are seeing declining reimbursements from 20-40% per visit. This is why it is crucial that health care providers verify the details of each patient's coverage before services are provided. It is now more expensive for clinic owners to provide health coverage for their employees. Health insurance costs for employees of private clinics were said to be done however some businesses are still seeing rates increase, with healthy workforces. There are decreased length of time for hospital stays which leads to a quicker transition to outpatient therapy and while this can be beneficial in some cases, it can also lead to rehospitalization. People who are pushed out might be going to unsafe home
With the advent of smartphones, apps can be used to track a home exercise program to help teach patients about their posture and body mechanics. There are also computer programs that allow those in physical therapy to watch personalized videos at home so they can do physical therapy exercises off-site between sessions. Patients can also keep an online diary that their therapist can check to make sure they are complying. The increase in technology over time has led to advances in equipment. Such as the utilization of robotics and anti-gravity treadmills to assist with ambulation. The benefits of these types of treadmills is that they lessen the amount of body weight that’s placed on the patient’s lower body, allowing them to get exercise and work on their gait without pain and with less pressure on the bones and joints. The exoskeleton suit, made by Ekso Bionics, which assists patients with walking disabilities, and has shown progress. The suit can help a disabled patient get back to walking in a day instead of the typical process which takes a week. The Wii is another great form of rehab used to bring food and good movement exercises into the program. The Wii has been used by many therapists for kids and the average public with games that simulate what you would be doing in rehab. For example, Wii