Physical Therapy

Physical therapy has been practiced for centuries, beginning with early Roman and Chinese societies that utilized treatments like water therapy, massage, heat, and movement to improve and restore movement and function.

Castle’s physical therapists are valuable members of your health care team. They have graduated from an accredited university with either a master’s or a bachelor’s degree, and have taken their licensure examinations in the state of Hawai‘i to practice therapy. Castle hires only the most qualified, dynamic therapists to provide services to our patients.

Physical therapists (PTs) provide a method of investigating and solving problems for each patient’s condition. They begin with a thorough evaluation. This evaluation may include tests of the range of motion of your joints and the strength of your muscles, palpation of soft tissues (manual inspection of skin, joints and other tissue), a neurological assessment to ensure that your nervous system is functioning correctly, a pain assessment, and an evaluation of your daily activities and how they are affected by your injury.

After the evaluation is completed, the therapist will look at all the data he or she has collected, and provide you and your doctor with a recommended plan of care. You, as the patient, are consulted in setting goals of treatment, as most of the responsibility for recovery lies with the patient. Once the plan has been agreed upon, treatment begins.

Treatment in physical therapy consists of three main types:

• Modalities: These consist of treatments that are passively provided to the patient to work on pain, tightness, swelling, and other symptoms. Examples are hot packs, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound. These treatments alone are only marginally effective in treating an injury, and are most successfully used in conjunction with more active procedures.
• Procedures: Procedures are active treatments that require the patient’s participation or a therapist’s manual skills to promote healing and improved mobility. Examples of procedures are exercise programs, joint mobilization, and gait training.
• Education: Education and training of the patient and his or her family are among the most significant interventions that a physical therapist can offer. Often the patient’s body mechanics or posture is contributing to an injury or pain, and working with the physical therapist to correct and change that positioning or habit can eliminate many problems.

The physical therapist is a skilled member of your health care team. He or she is trained in thorough evaluation and problem solving techniques. The PT will ask for your assistance in setting goals of your treatment, and, on an ongoing basis, ask you to rate your improvement and your progress towards your goals.

Physical therapy services are provided to patients at Castle Medical Center, through Home Care services, and in the outpatient Performance and Rehabilitation Centers in Kailua and Kāne‘ohe. Ask your doctor if physical therapy would benefit you. If you’d like to ask us questions or schedule an appointment, we can be reached at: