Is Physical Therapy effective for recovering from injury?

I have been lucky over the years; I've almost entirely avoided running-related injury. Once, I had a spell of plantar fasciaitis, a painful inflammation of the big bundle of tendons on the sole of the foot. A few years later, a peroneal tendon got ouchy, but that's pretty much my inventory.

Our family feets doc, Dr. Gene, prescribed physical therapy for the peroneal thing, but I can't recall that it did very much to help. So, I was interested to read Gina Kolata's January 6 Personal Best column in the New York Times. She writes about a doctor friend was surprised both that his health insurance didn't cover PT for a torn hamstring, and that the PT didn't really seem to speed his recovery. Her insurance does cover PT, as does my own, but she observes, "When I’ve gone to physical therapy, the treatments I’ve had — ice and heat, massage, ultrasound — always seemed like a waste of time. I usually went once or twice before stopping."

In the course of learning whether therapy helps people recover from common injuries, she discovered that there isn't much evidence to support the use of physical therapy, partly because the studies are flawed. The article suggests that the best approach might be to go to a competent therapist for evaluation, and to take away appropriate stretching and strength routines to do on one's own at home or gym.

What's your experience with physical therapy for sports-related injuries? Is it helpful? Is it covered? Is time and rest the only really effective way to heal?

The Countdown to Tom King 1/2 Marathon March 13

Days until TK	Miles logged today	Comments
65	3	treadmill - it's icy outside!