Applying cold and heat therapy and assisting patients with ambulation are common responsibilities of a medical assistant. These activities are part of the field of physical therapy. For a full program of physical therapy, a physician generally refers a patient to a licensed physical therapist. However, a physician may request that you assist with some forms of physical therapy, including:

• Applying cold and heat
• Teaching basic exercises
• Demonstrating how to use a cane, walker, and crutches
• Demonstrating how to use a wheelchair
• Discussing with the patient specific therapies for use at home

Outline

• General Principles of Physical Therapy
• Cryotherapy and Thermotherapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Exercise Therapy
• Traction
• Mobility Aids
• Referral to a Physical Therapist

Learning Outcomes

After completing Chapter 42, you will be able to:

 42.1 Explain how medical assistants might assist with some forms of physical therapy.
 42.2 Describe ways to test joint mobility, muscle strength, gait, and posture.
 42.3 Discuss the benefits of cold and heat therapies.
 42.4 List contraindications to cold and heat therapies.
 42.5 Identify various cold and heat therapies.
 42.6 Demonstrate how to perform cold and heat therapies.
 42.7 Describe hydrotherapy methods.
 42.8 Identify several methods of exercise therapy.
 42.9 Compare different methods of traction.
 42.10 Demonstrate how to teach a patient to use a cane, a walker, crutches, and a wheelchair.

Summary

Physical therapy is a medical specialty that helps patients who have musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders. It produces therapeutic effects through physical and mechanical processes, patient education, and rehabilitation programs.

Before prescribing physical therapy, the physician must assess a patient's joint mobility, muscle strength, gait, and posture. Depending on the patient's needs, the physician may decide to include cryotherapy, thermotherapy, or hydrotherapy in the physical therapy program. The physician or physical therapist may also recommend exercise therapy, massage, or traction. If the patient has difficulty with ambulation, the physical therapist may indicate a mobility aid such as a cane, a walker, crutches, or a wheelchair.

As a medical assistant, you may be asked to help a patient with cryotherapy or thermotherapy, range of motion (ROM) exercises, hydrotherapy, and other treatments. You may also need to teach a patient how to use mobility aids. Working directly with patients to help alleviate their pain and improve their mobility will reward you with immediate and longterm satisfaction.