For example, if you already saw your primary doctor or an orthopedic surgeon, you may wonder why you need another assessment from a physical therapist. Here is why. A physician or surgeon usually gives a diagnosis for an area of pain. Your physical therapist can evaluate and test for specific painful joint movements and identify affected muscle groups(s) and possibly adjacent joints, muscles, and nerves also involved but not immediately felt by you. For example, they will also analyze the history of movements and identify a comprehensive movement pattern involved. In this way, you can have the complete picture and clarity to design a proper course of treatment, so you can avoid cookie-cutter therapies that don’t work. So, an evaluation is needed to guarantee a successful outcome.
