Physical Therapy in New York City

What you need to know about Physical Therapy in New York City

Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a non-invasive type of treatment that helps individuals restore, maintain, and develop body movement and physical function. It is usually suggested to people who have had an illness, injury, or disability that makes it hard for them to do daily tasks. The main goal of physical therapy is to ease pain and help patients function, move, and live better. Medical professionals who provide physical therapy are called physical therapists, or physiotherapists. They are trained and licensed to diagnose physical abnormalities, maintain physical function, restore physical function and mobility, and promote proper function and physical activity.

Physical therapists are qualified to treat a wide range of medical conditions, depending on their specialty. Some of the most common physical therapy specialties are:

• Orthopedic physical therapy treats musculoskeletal injuries. They typically treat fractures, tendonitis, sprains, and bursitis.
• Geriatric physical therapy helps older people with conditions that affect their physical function and mobility, such as hip and joint replacement, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, and arthritis.
• Neurological physical therapy help people with neurological disorder or disease, such as brain injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation help those affected by certain cardiopulmonary conditions and surgical procedures. 
• Pediatric physical therapy assists in the diagnosis, treat and manage conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents, such as developmental delays, spina bifida, and torticollis. 

Physical therapy can be different for everyone, depending on the patient’s illness or injury and personal goal. Physical therapy treatment may involve:

• Targeted exercises and stretches guided by the physical therapist
• Ultrasound to promote blood flow and healing.
• Massage, heat or cold therapy, or warm water therapy to relieve muscle pain or spasms.
• Phonophoresis to decrease inflammation.
• Electrical stimulation to increase functional capabilities and reduce pain.
• Light therapy to treat certain medical conditions.

How Long Should I Stay in New York City?

Most of the time, you may be allowed to leave New York City right after your physical therapy session. However, since a physical therapy program usually requires more than one session, you should stay until all of your sessions are finished. Most people will need six to twelve sessions, between six and eight weeks. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

It is generally recommended that you rest after a physical therapy session. Physical therapy helps you recover from an illness or an injury and there is usually no extra recovery time after you finish your physical therapy program.

What Aftercare is Required?

After a physical therapy session, you must drink plenty of water and take note of unusual pain. If your physical therapist gives you an exercise program to do at home, make sure to do it as directed. Your physical therapist will likely give you instructions to make recovery time quicker and avoid any further damage. 

What's the Success Rate?

Like many other medical treatments, physical therapy continues to advance. With the broad knowledge and experience of physical therapists, they can use evidence-based approaches to help you improve mobility, balance, and strength, as well as reduce scar tissue formation, relieve pain and swelling, improve flexibility, and reduce the development of any secondary issue. Physical therapy is safe, but there are some risks you will need to be aware of. It can cause discomfort, pain, and in some very rare cases, do more harm than good. 

Are there Alternatives?

Alternatives to physical therapy depend on your specific condition. For some diseases and injury, you may have no other choice than seeing a physical therapist. In many cases, you may be able to see massage therapists, acupuncturists, or chiropractors to relieve pain.

Physical Therapy in and around New York City

About New York

New York City, or simply New York (NY), is the most populous city in the United States with an estimated population of over 8 million. The city is labeled as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world. It is an important center of international diplomacy since it houses the headquarters of the United Nations. The city has been attracting tourists from all around the globe for its architectural beauty, dining spots, and arts. Fueled by its global popularity and superior healthcare, the city also welcomes patients from many other countries to undergo cosmetic surgeries and complex or rare procedures that are not available in the patient’s home country. The medical professionals are highly qualified, skilled, and experienced. The medical costs might not be the cheapest, but patients will get the best treatment in the world.

Popular Areas in New York

New York offers its visitors a myriad of attractions to see and things to do. Tourists can find world-famous sites in almost every corner. The following are the most popular places in the city.

• Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy. It was a gift from the French people to the people of the United States as a monument of international friendship during the American Revolution. This famous statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and the metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel. Tourists can access the pedestal and the crown. Although the climb to the top is strenuous, the view from Lady Liberty’s crown is breathtaking, making it one of the most rewarding experiences of your trip to NYC. To get to the statue, you need to take a ferry from Battery Park City or New Jersey. There is only one official ferry company that is allowed to take you to the islands, Statue Cruises.
• Staten Island Ferry offers a stunning landscape of New York City and the Statue of Liberty. The ferry runs frequently and is free. Tourists can enjoy the refreshing breeze while admiring Governors Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, lower Manhattan and Wall Street’s skyscrapers, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
• Empire State Building is perhaps the most iconic symbol of New York City. This magnificent landmark should not be missed by any visitors. The building was opened during the Great Depression in 1931 and tourists can see its Art Deco style in the architecture. The view from its 86th and 102nd floors is spectacular, especially around sunset time. 
• Central Park is 843 acres of open space and is a good place to escape from the concrete jungle of New York City. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and it was the first major landscaped public park in the United States. Tourists can wander around the park, enjoy a picnic, visit a memorial to John Lennon, or interact with animals in the Zoo.

Weather and Climate in New York

New York City has four seasons, each with its own perks, which makes the city a year-round destination.

• Spring starts in March and ends in April. The city enjoys a pleasant temperature during this season. It is one of the most beautiful times to visit since the city is filled with Cherry Blossoms and hosts a number of festivals. However, expect to experience seasonal storms.
• Summer is from June to August. The temperatures are mostly warm, with an average between 25 °C to 30 °C. The city is usually crowded and busy during this season, but tourists can enjoy several free summer concerts. 
• Autumn is a great time to visit New York City, which lasts from September to November. The summer heat will be replaced with a cooler temperature, and the city is overflowing with red and orange leaves. 
• Winter in the city can be freezing and sometimes snowy. The season starts in December and ends in February. The temperatures can drop as low as -25 °C. If you plan to visit during winter, make sure to dress properly.

Getting Around in New York

The primary international airport in New York City is the John F. Kennedy International Airport. More than ninety airlines operate from this airport, including several budget airlines such as JetBlue. Getting around the city is fairly easy and inexpensive, especially by public transportation. The city has 27 subway lines stopping at 472 stations and more than 5,000 buses. To ride the subway, you will need to purchase a MetroCard that cost $1. The fares are $2.75 per trip and you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.

The bus will take you to many places including the east or west portions of Manhattan. The bus fares are $2.75 per trip and the buses only accept MetroCard or exact fare in coins. If you do not want the hassle to figure out the public transportation system, the iconic yellow taxis are widely available. You can flag them down directly from the streets. The taxis are green in Brooklyn and Uber and Lyft are also available. 

Tourists Visas in New York

Citizens of Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda are given visa exemption access. Holders of passports issued by 38 countries including Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are selected for the Visa Waiver Program. Nationals from countries that are not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver program need to apply for a visa. All visitors may stay for a maximum of 90 days. It is advisable to learn more about the visa policy at your nearest United States Embassy.  

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: US dollar ($) is the official currency. Please check XE.com for the current exchange rate to your local currency.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found everywhere, and credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. Tipping is not optional. For restaurant servers and bartenders, 15% - 20% of the bill is acceptable.
3. Local Language: The main language in New York City is English. However, there are over 800 languages spoken in the city, such as Spanish and Chinese.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the major religion in New York City, followed by Judaism, Islam, Buddha, and Hindu. 
5. Public Holidays: New York City celebrates various holidays, including New Year, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.