Physical Therapy in Santo Domingo

What you need to know about Physical Therapy in Santo Domingo

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 Santo Domingo?

Most of the time, you may be allowed to leave Santo Domingo 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 Santo Domingo

About Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and is the most modern and largest metropolis in the Caribbean. The city is the cultural, political, financial, industrial, and commercial center of the Dominican Republic. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, Santo Domingo is the oldest styled European City in the Americas. The city has everything that will make any visit worthwhile, from large shopping malls, historical architecture, seaside resorts, to a vibrant nightlife.

Over the last several years, medical tourism in Santo Domingo has been growing steadily. The city contributed to the Dominican Republic’s medical tourism average income of US$265.0 million in 2018. The most popular procedures in Santo Domingo are cosmetic and plastic surgery, dental surgery, cardiology, and heart surgery. Santo Domingo has everything a medical tourist could ask for, including:

• Hospitals and wellness centers governed by international standards.
• The doctors and paramedical staff are well-qualified and studied in the best medical schools from the U.S. and Europe.
• Cost-effective medical treatments with modern technology.
• A wide range of medical treatments to choose from.
• Fast, immediate care without waiting lists.
• The ideal climate and environment for recovery.

Popular Areas in Santo Domingo

Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Santo Domingo has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The Colonial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will amaze tourists with its beautiful architecture and rich history. The neighborhood consists of colonial buildings turned into shops, hotels, museums, and cafés. History fans can enjoy the oldest standing cathedral in the Western hemisphere: Catedral Primada de América.

Mercado Modelo is shopping heaven on Avenida Mella on the outskirts of Colonial City. Tourists will find an indoor maze of small shops offering local crafts, treats, and specialties.

Tourists who want to indulge in nature can go to Jardín Botánico Nacional de Santo Domingo as the gardens are filled with native plants and offer an excellent insight into the natural flora of Santo Domingo, the largest botanical gardens in the Caribbean. The botanical gardens are also home to hundreds of different kinds of orchids.

Santo Domingo has many wonderful beaches since the city’s waterside stretches along the Caribbean Sea. Tourists can go to Playa Najayo or Playa Juan Dolio for picturesque views or enjoy the sparkling blue water. The sunsets are particularly breathtaking.

Weather and Climate in Santo Domingo

The city enjoys a tropical climate that sees warm and humid weather all year long. The wet season (rainy season) starts from May to November, the average temperature on the wet season is around 22 - 31°C with the humidity slightly higher.

December to April is the best time to visit Santo Domingo since it is the dry season. The average temperature ranges between 19°C to 29°C. Showers may occur but they usually do not last long. Tourists should avoid traveling to Santo Domingo during Hurricane Season which runs from August to October.

Getting Around in Santo Domingo

There are two airports in Santo Domingo. The main airport is Las Américas International Airport (also known as Santo Domingo Airport), located Punta Caucedo and Boca Chica, 32km east of the city. This airport has international connections from North America, South America, and Central America to Europe. The airport serves many major airlines such as Delta, Emirates, and American Airlines. Las Américas International Airport also serves budget airlines such as JetBlue. La Isabela International Airport primarily serves domestic flights and some international flights to other Caribbean Islands. The airport is the major hub for Dominican airlines that operates small aircraft.

To get into the city from the airports, tourists can choose taxi, airport shuttle, public bus, shared van, or car rental. Traveling by taxi can get a bit more expensive although it is a good transportation option. The cost to Colonial City from Las Américas International Airport is around US$40. The cheaper option is to ride the public bus (Guagua), the buses depart to Parque Enriquillo in the city center and to Boca Chica.

Getting around in Santo Domingo is fairly easy. To get the most of Colonial City, walking is the best way since they offer plenty of pedestrian attractions, but walking along streets outside Colonial City can be quite challenging.

Taxis in Santo Domingo don’t use meters, tourists have to agree on the fare in advance. The standard fare is around RD$250. It is best not to take any unmarked taxi because it could be dangerous. Tourists usually need to call a dispatcher to have a taxi sent to their location, most businesses and hotels will gladly call a taxi for tourists and this is the safest option.

Tourists can take Públicos, minivans that follow a predetermined route but stops wherever someone flags them down. The fare usual fare is RD$25. Tourists can also take the Santo Domingo Metro, rides cost around RD$15, a contactless card can be purchased to use the metro.

Buses are also available from 6.30 am to 9.30 pm and cost around RD$25, the bus stops are marked with a sign and a word parade which means stop, the routes tend to follow major streets.

Tourists Visas in Santo Domingo

Dominic Republic exempts nationals from 107 countries including the US, Canada, most South American countries, the European Union, and several other countries from Asia and Africa from obtaining a tourist visa. A passport valid for at least six months is required to enter the country.

Visitors need to apply for a tourist card that can be obtained at the Dominican Consulates or directly upon arrival at the airports in the Dominican Republic. The tourist card costs US$10 and is valid for 30 days. Tourists who want to extend their visit will have to go to the offices of Direccion General de Migracion and pay for an extension.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The local currency in Santo Domingo is the Dominican Peso (RD$). US$ 1 is equivalent to RD$47. The notes are printed in a variety of colors although some colors are very similar to each other.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found across Santo Domingo. The best and safest way to obtain Dominican pesos is by ATMs. Credit and debit cards (mostly Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in cities, but some business adds a surcharge for credit card purchases. Tipping is generally not expected as 10% to 20% is mostly added to the total bill. Tourists should tip tour guides.
3. Local Language: The Dominican Republic is a Multilanguage nation. However, Spanish is the official language. Other commonly spoken languages in Santo Domingo are Dominican Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Samana English. English is not widely spoken but there are English speaking staff and guides within the tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Roman Catholic Christianity is the major religion in Santo Domingo. Other religions including Protestant Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism are also freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: Santo Domingo celebrates Christian holidays such as Good Friday and Christmas Day. The city hosts a carnival at the end of February and the beginning of March, the international book fair is in April, as well as a merengue festival in July.