If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition that means your condition may improve if you see a physical therapist, the SSA should be told that you have sought treatment in an effort to improve your condition.
This can only help your claim. The physical therapist can document the symptoms you are experiencing from your medical condition and this can support your eligibility for a disability benefit if your movement prevents you from going to work.
Medical Conditions That Benefit from Physical Therapists
The outcomes of many painful medical conditions can improve with treatment from a physical therapist. Some of these are carpal tunnel syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions, pediatric conditions and cardiopulmonary diseases.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
An exercise program is one treatment option in which a physical therapist can direct specific exercises that may help reduce pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. This is one of the more severe symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Symptoms may be improved by musculoskeletal physiotherapy which helps the patient heal faster from their illness and avoid the development of secondary problems.
Neurological Conditions
These can be improved by physical therapy because the sufferer may have problems with their movement. Depending on the type of neurological condition movement problems can get worse as the disease progress such as with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ALS.
Pediatric Conditions
These can be helped by a pediatric physiotherapist such as problems with balance, posture, coordination and gross motor skills.
Cardiopulmonary Diseases
These can be helped by a cardiopulmonary physiotherapist who uses manual techniques to help clear infected mucus from a person's chest, or use noninvasive ventilation to help a person breathe, or prescribe exercises to improve a patient's functional exercise capacity.
Your Physical Therapist Can Provide Medical Evidence
When you apply for disability benefits, the claims examiner reviewing your file will want to see sufficient medical evidence of your condition. If you don’t see a physical therapist when needed this will likely hurt your chances of getting benefits.
A physical therapist can often show the limitations you are experiencing from your medical condition with examples of how your movement is limited by it. A physical therapist can provide a written statement or opinion to help support your application for disability benefits.
This will help to ensure you get the financial support you need when you are suffering from a medical condition that prevents you from going to work.
Get A Free Case Evaluation
When you apply for disability benefits you are far more likely to be approved if your medical evidence proves you are unable to work for at least 12 months. A physical therapist can provide the much needed medical evidence that proves that your medical condition is severe enough to stop you from working. It is never easy to win a disability benefits claim but there is always help available.
Additional Resources
- Understanding the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Form
- What is an RFC (Residual Functional Capacity)?
- What Spinal Disorders Qualify For Disability?
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