My name is Tyler Pyles, and I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). Having strong ties to the area, I am excited to tell you about a new outpatient based Physical Therapy clinic in Winnfield, LA, that opened for practice in February 2023. At Winnfield Physical Therapy, my partner and I, along with our amazing staff, have a goal to serve the citizens of Winn Parish and surrounding areas by providing a more convenient, local option to help save people both time and money. Winnfield PT is located at 6252 US-167 Suite D, Winnfield, LA 71483. Our phone number is (318) 648-7482, and you can reach us Monday-Friday 8-5 p.m.
Now to the question at hand. What is it? What is Physical Therapy? As I have come to understand throughout my years practicing as a Physical Therapist (PT), the majority of the general public has little knowledge of what Physical Therapy is or when to see a PT. I have been asked questions like, “Do you have to go to college to be a PT?” “So you just stretch people for a living?” It’s deeper than that.
In the medical field, PTs have been deemed the “movement experts” who help improve individuals through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. PTs play an integral role in the health and wellbeing of individuals. We function as part of an interdisciplinary team or as a primary provider for physical related injuries and/or setbacks. Many PTs are employed at hospitals, where we often help make the final decision on a patient’s next level of care. But PTs are also essential members of the medical teams that support college and professional athletes. Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs recently proclaimed, “Julie (his PT) WAS the reason I was the guy I was on the field today! It takes everyone, but she lead the charge…” during their recent Super Bowl run.
To become a Physical Therapist, I first completed four years of college at Northwestern (Go Demons!). After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, I then attended three years of Physical Therapy school obtaining a Doctorate of Physical Therapy or DPT. NO, physical therapists are not Medical Doctors, nor do we claim to be. The designation is a Professional Doctorate indicating we have earned the highest level of education in our respective field. Other examples include a Pharmacist (Doctor of Pharmacy or PharmD), a Lawyer (Doctor of Jurisprudence or JD), and an Optometrist (Doctor of Optometry or OD) just to name a few. Upon graduating PT school, PTs must pass a national board exam in order to practice, take a certain number of continuing education hours every two years for our license to stay in good standing, and can choose to further specialize in areas such as Cardiopulmonary, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Neurology, Wound Care, Women’s Health, Orthopedics, and/or Sports through a residency or self study.
When should I see a Physical Therapist? Over the past 3 decades the body of evidence to support the utilization of PT in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction has increased exponentially. So much so that in 2015 all 50 states had granted “Direct Access” to physical therapy services. This means you can be evaluated and treated by a PT without having to be seen by your Physician to obtain a Referral. Imagine this scenario: You see your Primary Care Physician (PCP) because you tweaked your back when picking up something heavy, or you stepped off a curb and sprained your ankle. Once you get in to see your PCP 2-3 days later, you will likely be prescribed medication to help decrease your symptoms and be referred to a Physician who specializes in Orthopedics for further evaluation. According to a recent survey taken by Merritt Hawkins’ in 2022 on average this will take >16 days. They will likely order some type of imaging which could take another couple weeks. So after 4-6 weeks from your initial injury, taking drugs to help mask your symptoms, and seeing 2-3 Physicians, you finally leave the doctor with a referral to see a Physical Therapist. In that 4-6 week timeframe, you could have seen a PT first, carried out a plan of care, and been back to living your life at your prior level of function saving you time and money. All of this is to say that if you “tweak your back” or “roll your ankle”, you don’t need a referral from your Physician to see a Physical Therapist. PTs are highly trained in the evaluation, diagnosis, management, and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, so much so that PTs have actually played a major role in the fight against the opioid epidemic in recent years. If we, however, determine your pain is being caused by something that does not fall within the scope of Physical Therapy practice, we will refer you to the proper provider to get you the help you need.
It should be noted that as the patient, you have the right to choose where you receive Physical Therapy services, and here at Winnfield Physical Therapy we seek to bring you high quality, evidence based PT care to best fit your needs. We offer pre-operative and post-operative rehab, evaluation and treatment for non-operative ailments, return to sport testing, dry needling, cupping, hot, cold, and electrotherapy, and joint manipulation of the neck, back, and extremities. Call us today or stop by to schedule an appointment so you can get back to doing the things you love!
