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Stanford Health Care

Techniques

Our Approach to Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for a broad range of orthopaedic conditions, sports-related injuries, and other muscle, bone, and joint conditions. At Stanford Health Care, our orthopaedic physical therapists are leaders in their field and use evidence-based practices to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient’s unique needs.

Our physical therapists follow a patient-centered approach and use the latest technologies and equipment to enhance your healing and prevent re-injury.

We offer our expert orthopaedics physical therapy at Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR ORTHOPAEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICAL THERAPY

  • Leading expertise in orthopaedics with physical therapists who have advanced certifications in orthopaedics, sports medicine, geriatrics, and many other certifications 
  • One-to-one treatment sessions, providing you with dedicated time and focus to maximize recovery
  • Active partnership with Stanford’s orthopaedic surgeons to ensure each patient is provided with an individualized treatment plan
  • Education and empowerment to give you the tools you need to continue your recovery at home
Make An Appointment

To make an appointment with one of our physical therapists, call 650-725-5106.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy Techniques

Our physical therapists may use multiple techniques as part of your care plan. Your therapist will design a treatment plan specific to your goals and may use techniques, such as:

Neuromuscular and Movement Retraining

Our physical therapists are experts in movement analysis and help identify faulty movement patterns that lead to muscle weaknesses, imbalance, or pain. Through movement and neuromuscular retraining, we can correct these patterns to optimize precise motion to relieve pain. Many patients compensate for weakness or pain after an injury or surgery. As movement experts, we work to facilitate ideal movement by improving timing and activation of the correct muscles, while inhibiting overly compensating muscles.

Exercise Programs

Exercise is an important treatment to help patients maintain or regain balance, coordination, endurance, mobility, range of motion, and strength. Our physical therapists will work with you to develop a structured exercise program, which progress throughout your therapy sessions.

Manual Therapy

This hands-on technique is performed by your therapist to help relieve pain, increase range of motion, and reduce inflammation or pain in muscles, soft-tissue or joints. Manual therapy is often used as a complement to exercise and neuromuscular retraining.

Sports Performance

For people just starting a new sport to professional athletes, our physical therapists use sports-specific exercises and techniques to help you learn proper movement and enhance your sports performance. We help all athletes in all sports, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, running, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. 

Prehabilitation

If you require surgery such as a joint replacement, a physical therapist will contact you a few weeks prior to surgery to meet. During this educational session, the therapist will help orient you to the care plan, where to go, and what to expect before and after surgery. Depending on your condition, you may be given exercises to help you prepare for your surgery, which will help enhance your recovery and reduce your time in the hospital.

Patient Education

We provide education to patients and caregivers to help with your return to function and manage symptoms through movement and pattern modification. Knowing the right exercises aids in your recovery and will give you the tools you need to continue your recovery after your discharge from physical therapy.

What to Expect

Learn more about what to expect with physical therapy, including how to become a patient, ongoing therapy, and after discharge.

  • Before

  • During

  • After

Before Starting Therapy

Getting Started with Physical Therapy

We recommend you search for a physical therapist that is experienced in your condition or injury. Finding an expert will make treatment more effective and may enhance your recovery.

Find an orthopaedic physical therapist »

Doctor Referral

Although direct access is available in California, you will need a referral from your surgeon or primary care doctor to be seen by a physical therapist. We work with doctors from all over the bay area. Please call 650-725-5106 and one of our team members can help answer any related questions.

Patient Forms

To expedite your first visit, please complete the following forms and bring them to your first therapy appointment.

Prepare for Your First Appointment

During Therapy Sessions

First Appointment

You can prepare for your first therapy session by wearing loose fitting clothing, such as athletic apparel, or a t-shirt and shorts. Try wearing clothes that make your area of the body that requires treatment easily accessible. We also recommend wearing comfortable, supportive shoes such as running or walking shoes. 

Your first session with your therapist will last 60 minutes. Plan to arrive for your first appointment 15-20 minutes prior to the scheduled time. This will allow you to complete any required forms and start your therapy on time.

The first appointment will begin with an evaluation by your physical therapist. During this initial assessment, your therapist will ask questions about your health, condition or injury, goals, and home environment. The goal is to identify the causes of pain, imbalance, movement or related issues that are contributing to weakness or injury. Your responses will help your physical therapist create an optimal care plan.

Your therapist may perform a series of initial tests to identify specific areas of the body that are contributing to your issue.

You and your therapist will discuss the treatment plan and how long you can expect to receive physical therapy. The length of rehabilitation is dependent on your condition, goals, and how well you progress in meeting those goals.

Ongoing Therapy

Regular therapy sessions are 30 - 45 minutes in length and will focus on your treatment plan. Please prepare to arrive 10 minutes early to ensure therapy can begin on time.

During these sessions, your therapist may use multiple techniques to reduce pain and inflammation. As you continue your therapy, you may work on developing strength, coordination, and range of motion. Your therapist will evaluate your progress and update your care plan as needed.

Discharge

Your therapist will discuss your discharge from rehabilitation once your goals are met, when you feel comfortable with transitioning to an independent home program, or when your therapist determines your progress with treatment has plateaued. Patients achieve the best outcomes when they consistently perform their home exercise program.

Your physical therapist will educate you and your caregiver on proper exercises, transfers, and making your home environment safe based on your condition.

At Home

Ongoing Success

Following instructions your physical therapist gives you is important, especially if you were given an exercise program to perform at home. This program is designed specifically for you to avoid further complications and re-injury. If you have questions about your therapy or exercise program, please contact your physical therapist or call the clinic directly.

Before

Before Starting Therapy

Getting Started with Physical Therapy

We recommend you search for a physical therapist that is experienced in your condition or injury. Finding an expert will make treatment more effective and may enhance your recovery.

Find an orthopaedic physical therapist »

Doctor Referral

Although direct access is available in California, you will need a referral from your surgeon or primary care doctor to be seen by a physical therapist. We work with doctors from all over the bay area. Please call 650-725-5106 and one of our team members can help answer any related questions.

Patient Forms

To expedite your first visit, please complete the following forms and bring them to your first therapy appointment.

Prepare for Your First Appointment


close Before
During

During Therapy Sessions

First Appointment

You can prepare for your first therapy session by wearing loose fitting clothing, such as athletic apparel, or a t-shirt and shorts. Try wearing clothes that make your area of the body that requires treatment easily accessible. We also recommend wearing comfortable, supportive shoes such as running or walking shoes. 

Your first session with your therapist will last 60 minutes. Plan to arrive for your first appointment 15-20 minutes prior to the scheduled time. This will allow you to complete any required forms and start your therapy on time.

The first appointment will begin with an evaluation by your physical therapist. During this initial assessment, your therapist will ask questions about your health, condition or injury, goals, and home environment. The goal is to identify the causes of pain, imbalance, movement or related issues that are contributing to weakness or injury. Your responses will help your physical therapist create an optimal care plan.

Your therapist may perform a series of initial tests to identify specific areas of the body that are contributing to your issue.

You and your therapist will discuss the treatment plan and how long you can expect to receive physical therapy. The length of rehabilitation is dependent on your condition, goals, and how well you progress in meeting those goals.

Ongoing Therapy

Regular therapy sessions are 30 - 45 minutes in length and will focus on your treatment plan. Please prepare to arrive 10 minutes early to ensure therapy can begin on time.

During these sessions, your therapist may use multiple techniques to reduce pain and inflammation. As you continue your therapy, you may work on developing strength, coordination, and range of motion. Your therapist will evaluate your progress and update your care plan as needed.

Discharge

Your therapist will discuss your discharge from rehabilitation once your goals are met, when you feel comfortable with transitioning to an independent home program, or when your therapist determines your progress with treatment has plateaued. Patients achieve the best outcomes when they consistently perform their home exercise program.

Your physical therapist will educate you and your caregiver on proper exercises, transfers, and making your home environment safe based on your condition.


close During
After

At Home

Ongoing Success

Following instructions your physical therapist gives you is important, especially if you were given an exercise program to perform at home. This program is designed specifically for you to avoid further complications and re-injury. If you have questions about your therapy or exercise program, please contact your physical therapist or call the clinic directly.


close After

Our Clinics

Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic

Our board-certified orthopaedic physical therapists create personalized treatment plans to improve your strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, and mobility. We combine evidence-based practice with leading treatments and technologies to help you recover from surgery, joint replacement or sports injury. 

Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic
450 Broadway Street
 Pavilion B31, 3rd Floor
 Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-725-5106 Getting Here
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