PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU WIN SSD BENEFITS

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOUR SSD CASE

If you have a severe physical injury or chronic medical condition, then your doctor may recommend physical therapy (PT). Physical therapy can improve your strength, movement, and balance. It can also help you manage your pain. It can also provide valuable medical evidence when you file an application for Social Security Disability benefits. You can file for SSD benefits using Social Security’s website. If you can’t do it on your own, then we can help you.

At first, physical therapy may seem like simply another part of your medical treatment. However, your physical therapist carefully records how your condition impacts your ability lift, sit, stand and walk. These limitations are important to your SSD claim, because they prove how your condition prevents you from working. Therefore, if your doctor states you should go to physical therapy, do so. Not only are the records helpful to your claim, the therapy may improve your pain and your ability to do common activities.

WHAT IS PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Physical therapy is treatment that helps you improve movement and physical function. A physical therapist works with you to address problems caused by an injury, illness, surgery, or any long term medical condition that bothers you. Depending on your needs, treatment may include exercise, strength training, balance work, and movement.

Your treating doctor may recommend physical therapy for many different conditions. For example, you may need therapy because of back pain, a knee injury, a shoulder problem, or nerve damage. You may also need physical therapy after surgery or because a medical condition causes weakness or problems with balance.

The goal of physical therapy is usually to help you function better. Your therapist may work with you to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and movement. In addition, your therapist may teach you ways to move that cause less pain and put less stress on your body. When you do physical therapy, you usually go once a week. At the visit, the therapist will give you exercise to do at home every day.

WHY DOES YOUR DOCTOR RECOMMEND PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Your doctor recommends physical therapy because your condition affects the way you move and function. Physical therapy can include many types of treatment. Your therapist may have you stretch, walk, lift weights, work on balance, or use exercise machines.

For example, if you have severe back pain then you may have trouble sitting, standing, walking, or bending. Physical therapy improves your ability to sit, stand, and walk. Likewise, you may have weakness that makes daily activities much harder. For example, if you can’t move your knee after a knee replacement surgery, then therapy can improve use of the joint.

Physical therapy can sometimes help you regain abilities you have lost. For example, therapy may help strengthen your legs after an injury or surgery. As a result, you may find that walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of a chair becomes easier. Physical therapy can help you build strength. You can work on dressing yourself, getting out of a chair, or walking through a store. Physical therapy can improve problems with all of these normal activities.

However, physical therapy does not work always help everyone. Some people improve significantly after treatment, while others continue to have serious problems. Therefore, your physical therapist can document that you can only stand for a short time before your pain gets worse. Or, they may document that you have problems with pain and weakness and you can’t bend your knee to climb stairs. Therefore, what happens during your treatment can help the SSA understand your limits.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP YOU PHYSICALLY?

Physical therapy can help your body in several important ways. It can improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. It can also help you manage pain and make daily activities easier. For example, weakness in your legs can make standing and walking difficult. Physical therapy may strengthen your legs and improve your ability to move.

Physical therapy can also improve your range of motion. A painful or stiff joint may make it difficult to bend your knee or move your shoulder. Therapy may help you regain some movement. For example, a shoulder pain may make it difficult to reach above your head or hold your arms in a typing position. You may struggle to put dishes away, reach into a cabinet, or put on a shirt. Your therapist can work on your shoulder movement while recording how far you can move your arm.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN REDUCE PAIN

Pain is one of the most common reasons people receive physical therapy. When pain makes movement difficult, you may avoid activities that make your symptoms worse. Over time, if you avoid movement, then that can lead to weakness and less flexibility.

Physical therapy reduces helps improve movement and strengthens the muscles that support your body. Your therapist may use exercise, massage, dry needing, or other treatments based on your condition. For example, someone with chronic back pain may perform exercise that strengthen the muscles around the spine. Someone with knee pain may work on exercise that supports the knee and improves movement. These treatments reduce pain and make daily activities easier.

However, physical therapy does not always eliminate pain. You may attend your appointments and follow the instructions but still have significant pain. Your physical therapy records can document your ongoing symptoms and show whether treatment improves your condition. This information is important to your SSD claim. Your records should show that you follow your treatment plan, but continue to experience pain that limits your ability to work.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN IMPROVE YOUR RANGE OF MOTION

Your range of motion describes how far you can move a joint or part of your body. A medical condition can limit your ability to bend, reach, twist, squat, or move your arms and legs. For example, neck pain may make it difficult to turn your head while driving. Limited hip movement may make it hard to get into a car or put on your shoes. Problems with your wrist or fingers may make it difficult to grip objects, open containers, or use a keyboard.

Limited ankle movement can also affect how you walk and climb stairs. An elbow problem may make it difficult to straighten your arm or carry an object. These limitations can affect both your daily activities and your ability to perform certain jobs.

Physical therapy may help improve your range of motion. Over time, therapy may reduce stiffness and help you regain some movement. However, treatment does not always restore your full range of motion. You may continue to have pain or difficulty moving a particular joint. Your therapist can document these problems during your visits. Therefore, your physical therapy records will provide useful evidence for your SSD claim.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH WALKING

Many medical conditions can affect your ability to walk. Nerve problems, muscle weakness, injuries, and balance disorders can make walking difficult. You may also develop pain or weakness that gets worse after you walk for several minutes.

Your physical therapist may evaluate how you walk during treatment. The therapist will look at your balance, speed, strength, and gait. In addition, the therapist may decide you need a cane, walker, or another assistive device.

For example, you may have trouble walking across a room without holding onto furniture. You may need to stop and rest after walking a short distance. You may also have difficulty walking on uneven ground, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair. Balance problems can make walking even harder. You may feel unsteady when you stand, turn, or change direction. You may also have a history of falling or feel afraid that you will fall.

If your therapist documents that you have difficulty walking, then that information becomes part of your medical record. Therefore, it can help the SSA understand how your condition affects your ability to function.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Your first physical therapy appointment usually includes an evaluation. Your therapist may ask about your symptoms, medical history, and pain. They will also ask what daily activities you are struggling with. The therapist may also examine your strength, movement, balance, flexibility, and ability to walk and use your hands.

After the evaluation, your therapist develops a treatment plan. That plan is based on your medical condition and the problems you are experiencing. Your treatment may include exercise,  strength training, and balance work. If you have problems with your hands, for example, the therapist may give you a band, ball, or other tool to work with at home.

As treatment continues, your therapist tracks your progress. Your therapist will record whether your symptoms improve, stay the same, or get worse. They may also document how long you can walk, stand, sit, lift, reach, or use your hands. In addition, your therapist may record problems with balance, strength, or movement. Obviously, the goal is to improve your physical stamina and recover your health. But if that doesn’t happen, then the record will prove it.

A DIAGNOSIS ALONE MAY NOT EXPLAIN YOUR LIMITATIONS

A medical diagnosis does not automatically qualify you for SSD benefits. Instead, the SSA must look at how your condition affects your ability to function. For that reason, medical records should show not only your diagnosis, but also the specific problems you experience.

For example, two people can have the same back condition. One person may have mild pain and few limits, while another may have severe pain, weakness, and trouble moving. As a result, the same diagnosis can affect two people in very different ways.

Physical therapy records can help explain those differences. Your physical therapist may document how far you can walk, how long you can stand, and how well you can move. In addition, your therapist may document what happens when you perform certain activities. You may be able to walk for 10 minutes, but then need to sit because of pain. You may also have trouble lifting, bending, or using your hands. This impacts your ability to type, write, lift, and manipulate small objects, like coins. Most seated jobs require the good use of both hands. If you cannot use your hands on a repetitive basis, then you may not be able to work.

As you can see, physical therapy records are important in an SSD claim. They help show what you can and cannot do on a regular basis. Therefore, go to physical therapy and follow your treatment plan.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN DOCUMENT YOUR PAIN

Pain can be difficult to prove because there is no simple test that measures exactly how much pain you feel. Pain is often difficult to measure.  However, your physical therapist can record what you report and what happens when you move or exercise. These observations are useful information about how pain affects your ability to work.

For example, bending forward may cause sharp or severe pain in your back. Your therapist can document your response and note how the pain affects your movement. The therapist may also record whether you need to stop, change positions, or rest because of your symptoms. Your therapist can also track how your body responds during and after treatment. You may develop increased pain, weakness, or fatigue after certain types of exercise.

When these problems continue during treatment, the records can show how physical activity affects your ability to work. If you need to rest during a physical therapy session, then chances are good that you will need multiple breaks during the course of a work day. It is not likely that an employer will give you more than standard breaks. Therefore, this is just one more piece of evidence that proves your case.

WHAT IF PHYSICAL THERAPY DOES NOT HELP?

Many people worry that physical therapy will hurt their SSD claim if they do not improve. However, a lack of improvement does not automatically hurt your claim.

For example, you may attend physical therapy for several months. You may follow instructions and complete exercise at home. Even so, you may continue to have pain, weakness, poor balance, or limited movement. Your therapist may document these problems during your treatment. The records may show that your symptoms continue despite regular therapy. They may also show that you cannot complete certain activities because of pain or other symptoms.

In some cases, therapy may provide only temporary relief. You may feel better immediately after treatment but have your symptoms return later. Your records can show this pattern and explain how long any improvement lasts. Physical therapy can also reveal that certain activities make your symptoms worse. For example, standing, walking, bending, or lifting may increase your pain. Your therapist documents these problems when they occur during treatment.

Therefore, unsuccessful physical therapy does not mean you have failed. Instead, the records can show that you made a reasonable effort to improve your condition. They can also show that your limitations continue despite treatment.

DOES GOING TO PT MEAN YOU CAN WORK?

No, going to physical therapy does not mean you can work. Physical therapy is medical treatment that does not prove you can work on a regular basis. The SSA must consider the evidence about what you can actually do despite your medical condition.

For example, you may be able to attend a one hour physical therapy appointment. However, that does not mean you can stand, walk, lift, bend, or use your hands for eight hours each workday. In addition, physical therapy often takes place under controlled conditions. You may perform an exercise for a few minutes and then rest. Your therapist may also adjust an exercise when your symptoms increase. Work, however, may require you to perform certain activities repeatedly throughout the day.

Your treatment records may help show this difference. Additionally, the records can also document what happens after physical activity. You may experience increased pain, weakness, or fatigue after treatment. If these symptoms affect you for hours after therapy, then that may explain why you cannot sustain similar activity throughout a workday.

Therefore, the fact that you participate in physical therapy should not be viewed in isolation. The SSA must consider your entire medical record and your ability to function over time. Most importantly, being able to do something for a short period does not mean you can do it consistently at work.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN SUPPORT YOUR RFC

Your residual functional capacity (RFC) is a key part at step four of the SSA review process. The RFC describes what you can still do despite your medical conditions. It focuses on your ability to perform physical and mental activities on a regular, ongoing basis.

For a physical condition, the RFC can address many different abilities. These include sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. It can also include your ability to reach, use your hands, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.

Physical therapy records can provide specific information about these abilities. Your therapist may measure your strength, range of motion, balance, walking ability, and stamina. Your therapist may also document weakness or reduced movement in your arms, legs, back, or hands. These findings can help explain why certain work activities are difficult for you. In some cases, the records may show that you cannot repeat an activity without increased pain or fatigue.

This distinction is important because the SSA looks at your ability to perform activities on a regular, ongoing basis. Being able to complete an activity once does not necessarily mean you can repeat it throughout a workday. Your therapy records may help show the difference between your ability to perform an activity briefly and your ability to sustain it. To work, you must be able to sustain work for 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.

FOLLOW YOUR TREATMENT PLAN

If your doctor recommends physical therapy, then you should follow the treatment plan. Regular treatment shows you are taking reasonable steps to improve your condition. It can also create additional medical records about your symptoms. However, sometimes you cannot attend every appointment. You may have transportation problems, financial problems, or symptoms that make treatment difficult. If you miss appointments, make sure your medical providers know why.

Your medical records should accurately explain your treatment history. That way, the SSA can understand why you did or did not receive certain treatment. Most importantly, you should always be honest with your doctors about what you can and cannot do. Your therapist sees you during your appointments. However, your therapist does not see everything that happens after you leave the office. Therefore, you need to explain how your condition affects you at home and throughout the day.

Tell your therapist if walking causes increased your pain. Explain if you need to rest after simple activities or if you struggle with stairs. Also tell your therapist if you have trouble standing, sitting, bending, lifting, or performing household chores. This information gives your therapist a better understanding of your condition. It can also help your treatment records become complete.

TELL YOUR SSD LAWYER ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY

If you are filing for SSD benefits, then make sure your lawyer knows about your physical therapy. Tell your lawyer where and when you receive treatment. Your lawyer can then determine whether those records are important to your claim. Your lawyer can also request a copy of your records and submit them to the SSA.

Physical therapy records can contain information that does not appear in your other medical records. Your therapist may document your strength, walking ability, balance, range of motion, and response to exercise. Those details support the limitations described elsewhere in your medical records. They also support your testimony about the activities you can and cannot perform.

Your lawyer can also look at how your physical therapy fits into your entire medical history. The goal is not simply to show that you attend therapy. Instead, the goal is to show how your condition affects your ability to work.

PT RECORDS ARE ONLY ONE PART OF YOUR SSD CLAIM

Physical therapy can provide valuable evidence, but it is only one part of your claim. The SSA considers your medical records as a whole. This can include medical records, hospital records, imaging, testing, medications, and treatment records. Obviously, the medical opinion of your treating doctors that you cannot work is helpful. But the SSA doesn’t have to give that opinion any special weight. They consider the opinion of your treating doctor to be just as important as the opinion of one of their doctors. This is true even if you only attend a free SSA doctor appointment one time.

The reason the SSA gives equal weight to various medical opinions is because they wrote the law that way. They wrote the law to make it difficult for you to win SSD benefits. Additionally, the SSA must consider many factors. For example, they also consider your work history, age, education, to determine if you can work. Therefore, they will look at your entire claim rather than relying on one type of evidence.

A strong SSD claim tells a clear and consistent story. Your medical evidence should explain what is wrong and how it limits you. Physical therapy records can prove what you can and can’t do. Sometimes, that is the most important type of medical evidence in an SSD case.

HIRE THE BEST SSD LAW FIRM TO WIN YOUR BENEFITS

Our SSD law firm understands how important medical evidence can be in an SSD claim. We look beyond your diagnosis and consider how your medical conditions affect your ability to function. We also look at the treatment you receive and your physical therapy records.

Physical therapy records can provide valuable information about your physical abilities. They document your pain, strength, balance, walking, and range of motion. They may also show whether you improve with treatment or continue to have serious limitations. Going to physical therapy does not automatically qualify you for SSD benefits. However, the records created during your treatment provide important evidence for your claim.

If you are filing for SSD benefits, do not overlook your physical therapy records. They may help show the SSA how your condition affects your ability to work. If you need help with your SSD claim, then contact us. We can help you understand your rights and your options.