Integrative Healthcare: Delivering Excellent Patient Care

The Integrative Healthcare Approach

Integrative healthcare is what happens when healthcare professionals from all specialties come together to collaborate and communicate for the sake of the patient? At Spooner Physical Therapy, our therapists are dedicated to integrative healthcare. A partnership with our referring medical providers results in a positive experience for everyone.

Physical Therapists: Key Members of an Integrated Healthcare Team

Physical therapists can treat literally any impairment or symptom associated with a musculoskeletal injury. Patients have a common misperception of what a physical therapist actually does and think that treatment is just massage and exercise. Initial communication with referring providers on physical therapy services and treatments will help with educating the patient on what physical therapists provide.

Treating patient’s conditions with physical therapy is a practical first line of intervention for issues ranging from general orthopedic and neurological impairments to headaches, pelvic floor pain, and vestibular issues. Most aches and pains can be treated by a therapist and improved—without the use of injections or medication. We believe movement should always be the first option to improve someone’s impairments.

A broad scope and deep expertise

The scope under which a physical therapist operates continues to grow. Arizona is a direct access state allowing patients to take charge of their care. Patients can come directly to Spooner Physical Therapy versus first going to their doctor for a referral. A proactive, integrative healthcare approach that benefits the patient by saving time and money.

Physical therapist today obtain a doctoral degree. This deeper education allows therapists to understand pathologies and red flags for non-musculoskeletal injuries. Our knowledge allows us to recognize when someone’s injury, symptoms, or impairments are beyond our scope of practice. At that point, we refer our patient to a physician or specialist.

Integrative Healthcare has a Focus on functionality

Physical therapy is focused on body functionality: how it works, why there is pain, and what are the underlying structural challenges. We are skilled experts in re-training our patients’ bodies to allow for proper function and movement.

Let’s be a team – the Integrated Healthcare approach.

Medical professionals are beginning to move toward becoming integrated healthcare professionals. They’re seeking to understand each other’s respective expertise and scope of work. The more this happens, the more integrated healthcare teams will be able to deliver the best possible care for the patient.

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