Physical Therapy

Overcome limitations on your everyday activities caused by pain and lack of strength and mobility

Physical Therapy 2022 Banner

You may have a disability or physical limitation for many reasons, including:

  • Injury
  • Overuse
  • Disease
  • Stroke
  • Chronic pain
  • Surgery

IU Health Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation can help. We help you restore your strength and endurance. And we help you regain the confidence you need to achieve your highest potential.

Stiffness and pain from injury can limit your movement and ability to function. Physical therapy helps you reset and recalibrate with exercises and other tools to regain strength, endurance, posture and movement.

Physical therapy will help you recover from injuries and muscle overuse so you can successfully return to the activities of your daily life.

Our Approach to Physical Therapy

We help patients of all ages from premature infants to seniors. Whatever your age, we want to help you return to your independent, active lifestyle. We have multiple physical therapy locations across Indiana. Our licensed therapists have the experience to treat many conditions.

IU Health Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation offers complete inpatient and outpatient services. Our goal is to help you maximize your treatment and recovery.

We focus on treating the whole patient—mind, body and spirit—not just the injury. We design our treatment for your needs. For your injury, illness or disease, we'll address the following:

  • Prevention
  • Evaluation
  • Treatment
  • Rehabilitation

    Your Physical Therapy Treatment Plan

    Physical therapy involves a variety of techniques to address your pain or mobility problems. Your treatment plan will be customized for your needs. You’ll also learn exercises you can do at home to help you recover faster.

    With physical therapy, we restore function lost due to many illnesses and injuries, some including:

    • Sports injury
    • Congenital disorders
    • Neurological trauma
    • Repetitive motion
    • Joint deterioration

        Physical therapy helps you reduce pain. It also helps you improve your strength, endurance and movement. We'll do this with exercises and other treatments. That way you can get back to your activities of everyday life.

        Depending on your unique treatment plan, your physical therapy may include:

        What to Expect with Physical Therapy

        Stiffness and pain from injury can limit your movement and ability to function. Physical therapy helps you reset and recalibrate with exercises and other tools to regain strength, endurance, posture and movement.

        Physical therapy will help you recover from injuries and muscle overuse so you can successfully return to the activities of your daily life.

        Our Approach to Physical Therapy

        We help patients of all ages from premature infants to seniors. Whatever your age, we want to help you return to your independent, active lifestyle. We have multiple physical therapy locations across Indiana. Our licensed therapists have the experience to treat many conditions.

        IU Health Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation offers complete inpatient and outpatient services. Our goal is to help you maximize your treatment and recovery.

        We focus on treating the whole patient—mind, body and spirit—not just the injury. We design our treatment for your needs. For your injury, illness or disease, we'll address the following:

        • Prevention
        • Evaluation
        • Treatment
        • Rehabilitation

          Your Physical Therapy Treatment Plan

          Physical therapy involves a variety of techniques to address your pain or mobility problems. Your treatment plan will be customized for your needs. You’ll also learn exercises you can do at home to help you recover faster.

          With physical therapy, we restore function lost due to many illnesses and injuries, some including:

          • Sports injury
          • Congenital disorders
          • Neurological trauma
          • Repetitive motion
          • Joint deterioration

              Physical therapy helps you reduce pain. It also helps you improve your strength, endurance and movement. We'll do this with exercises and other treatments. That way you can get back to your activities of everyday life.

              Depending on your unique treatment plan, your physical therapy may include:

              A typical therapy session combines individualized exercise with hands-on techniques and technology to help improve your mobility and reduce pain. You’ll work one-on-one with a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant throughout your appointment.

              Before Your First Physical Therapy Appointment

              Make a List of Your Symptoms

              Note if the pain is better or worse with certain movements, at certain times of day or on a certain part of your body.

              Be Prepared with Your Medical History

              Provide your physical therapist with as much information on your medical history as you can. Include any:

              • Injuries or surgeries you’ve had
              • Medication you take (prescription or over the counter, including supplements)
              • Other information that affects your health

              In case your referring provider is not an IU Health provider, please:

              • Have your provider send medical records to us before your scheduled visit or bring the information with you during your visit. These may be sent via fax or through the mail.
              • If you've had any imaging procedures such as X-ray, CT or MRI, be sure to bring reports or films with you. You may also have them sent to us by your provider.

              During Your Appointment

              Your therapist will perform an examination to check strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, posture and the mobility of your joints, muscles and other tissues. Your gait (how you walk), functional ability (such as getting up from a chair) or ability to bend and lift may also be checked.

              • Wear comfortable clothes that you can move and exercise in.
              • Be prepared to follow your therapist’s instructions and complete all recommended exercises to recover fully.

              Preparing for a Physical Therapy Appointment

              A typical therapy session combines individualized exercise with hands-on techniques and technology to help improve your mobility and reduce pain. You’ll work one-on-one with a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant throughout your appointment.

              Before Your First Physical Therapy Appointment

              Make a List of Your Symptoms

              Note if the pain is better or worse with certain movements, at certain times of day or on a certain part of your body.

              Be Prepared with Your Medical History

              Provide your physical therapist with as much information on your medical history as you can. Include any:

              • Injuries or surgeries you’ve had
              • Medication you take (prescription or over the counter, including supplements)
              • Other information that affects your health

              In case your referring provider is not an IU Health provider, please:

              • Have your provider send medical records to us before your scheduled visit or bring the information with you during your visit. These may be sent via fax or through the mail.
              • If you've had any imaging procedures such as X-ray, CT or MRI, be sure to bring reports or films with you. You may also have them sent to us by your provider.

              During Your Appointment

              Your therapist will perform an examination to check strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, posture and the mobility of your joints, muscles and other tissues. Your gait (how you walk), functional ability (such as getting up from a chair) or ability to bend and lift may also be checked.

              • Wear comfortable clothes that you can move and exercise in.
              • Be prepared to follow your therapist’s instructions and complete all recommended exercises to recover fully.

              Our specialists will help guide you to recovery. We provide treatment for a wide range of diagnoses, pathologies and disabilities.

              IU Health has dozens of locations located throughout Indiana. We use the latest technology, research and staff training. That allows us to provide innovative and cost-effective approaches for you.

              Why IU Health for Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

              Our specialists will help guide you to recovery. We provide treatment for a wide range of diagnoses, pathologies and disabilities.

              IU Health has dozens of locations located throughout Indiana. We use the latest technology, research and staff training. That allows us to provide innovative and cost-effective approaches for you.

              • How long can I expect treatment to last?
              • Will my PT be painful?
              • Are there exercises I can do at home?
              • Do I need to avoid any activities while I’m recovering?
              • Are there things I need to avoid so my pain doesn’t become worse?
              • How can I prevent my pain from coming back?
              • What do I wear to physical therapy?

              Questions to Ask Your Physical Therapist

              • How long can I expect treatment to last?
              • Will my PT be painful?
              • Are there exercises I can do at home?
              • Do I need to avoid any activities while I’m recovering?
              • Are there things I need to avoid so my pain doesn’t become worse?
              • How can I prevent my pain from coming back?
              • What do I wear to physical therapy?

              Jan 16

              From a wheelchair to a 5K

              As Debra Long, secretary for Rehabilitation Services at IU Health White Memorial in Monticello, bounces around her office assisting patients, answering phones and managing schedules, it is hard to believe a few short months ago she was in a wheelchair. Full of energy, she also helps in the Emergency department, the hospital front desk and in the medical-surgical unit as needed. “Debra is a bright spot in our department,” shares Sara Phelps, supervisor of the Rehabilitation department. “One of her gifts is getting to know others and helping them to feel seen and acknowledged. She is quick to share her personal experiences with others who may have similar concerns in order to encourage them to continue to push forward and improve. She demonstrates what's possible with hard work and a positive attitude.” “I figure there are many ways I can help, so I try my best,” shares Long. The fall that lead to the wheelchair In February, Long fell in a parking lot. Her ankle hurt but she figured it was a sprain that would eventually heal. The rehabilitation team continually encouraged her to go to the doctor. After a few weeks in pain, she finally relented. An MRI showed

              From a wheelchair to a 5K image.

              Patient Stories for Physical Therapy

              Jan 16

              From a wheelchair to a 5K

              As Debra Long, secretary for Rehabilitation Services at IU Health White Memorial in Monticello, bounces around her office assisting patients, answering phones and managing schedules, it is hard to believe a few short months ago she was in a wheelchair. Full of energy, she also helps in the Emergency department, the hospital front desk and in the medical-surgical unit as needed. “Debra is a bright spot in our department,” shares Sara Phelps, supervisor of the Rehabilitation department. “One of her gifts is getting to know others and helping them to feel seen and acknowledged. She is quick to share her personal experiences with others who may have similar concerns in order to encourage them to continue to push forward and improve. She demonstrates what's possible with hard work and a positive attitude.” “I figure there are many ways I can help, so I try my best,” shares Long. The fall that lead to the wheelchair In February, Long fell in a parking lot. Her ankle hurt but she figured it was a sprain that would eventually heal. The rehabilitation team continually encouraged her to go to the doctor. After a few weeks in pain, she finally relented. An MRI showed

              From a wheelchair to a 5K image.

              Medline Plus

              This site explains how physical medicine and rehabilitation can help you recover after a medical condition or injury.

              ASTYM

              ASTYM, a regenerative soft tissue therapy rebuilds and heals the soft tissues of the body.

              Choose PT

              Choose PT is the official consumer information website of the American Physical Therapy Association providing a variety of physical therapy resources. Learn more about symptoms and conditions, access patient resources and more.

              Resources

              Medline Plus

              This site explains how physical medicine and rehabilitation can help you recover after a medical condition or injury.

              ASTYM

              ASTYM, a regenerative soft tissue therapy rebuilds and heals the soft tissues of the body.

              Choose PT

              Choose PT is the official consumer information website of the American Physical Therapy Association providing a variety of physical therapy resources. Learn more about symptoms and conditions, access patient resources and more.