Physical therapists are licensed medical professionals who are trained in diagnosing and treating various physical injuries and illness that affect mobility, cause pain, or both. Therapists develop customized treatment programs for their patients that aim to improve physical function and reduce pain through a variety of modalities.
Through physical therapy, patients can regain a normal level of physical functioning and improve their overall well-being. PT can benefit people of all ages, from children to the elderly, and can help to ease the side effects of various medical ailments.
Are you wondering if physical therapy can benefit you? Here’s a look at 10 benefits physical therapists can provide.
Pain Management
Pain management is probably one of the best-known benefits of physical therapy. Through a combination of therapeutic techniques, such as massage, ultrasound therapy, joint mobilization, or electronic nerve stimulation, and strengthening exercises, physical therapists can help to ease pain or completely eliminate it. PT has proven to be a beneficial form of pain management for a variety of conditions, including fibromyalgia, scoliosis, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, sports-related injuries, car accidents, arthritis, and so many other ailments.
Increased Mobility
Patients who have difficulty with moving can find the help that they need to improve their mobility through physical therapy. There are so many medical conditions that can impact a person’s ability to move, such as stroke, cancer, knee replacement surgery, ALS, and arthritis. Whether reduced mobility is the result of pain, due to a loss in flexibility, or weakness, physical therapists can help patients restore their ability to move through exercises that aim to increase flexibility, restore strength, improve balance, and reduce pain.
Surgery Prevention
The intervention of physical therapy during the early stages of certain health conditions can help patients avoid the need for surgery. For example, someone who is suffering from arthritis can avoid having joint replacement surgery, as the therapeutic exercises practiced during PT can help to strengthen the joints, preventing the need for future surgery.
Recovery from Surgery
Physical therapy can help to improve the rate of recovery for patients who have undergone surgery for certain medical conditions. For instance, PT can aid in the recovery of surgery for a torn meniscus. A patient can learn techniques that will ease the pain that they may experience post-surgery and strengthen the affected area, thereby reducing the amount of time it would normally take to recover from such a procedure.
Improved Recovery from Sports-Related Injuries
From pee-wee baseball to professional basketball, anyone who sustains a sports-related injury can benefit from physical therapy. Various techniques can be used to reduce complications that occur with such injuries, such as swelling, torn ligaments, and broken bones. Through PT, patients can recover from injuries that are sustained as a result of playing sports at a much quicker rate. Moreover, therapy can help patients avoid being affected by future injuries.
Stroke Recovery
It’s not uncommon for individuals who suffer a stroke to experience some loss of function and mobility. With physical therapy, stroke patients can strengthen the parts of their body that have been weakened by this medical condition. They can also improve their gait and balance. With the help of a physical therapist, stroke victims can increase their independence and enjoy a greater sense of normalcy.
Management of Diabetes
Managing diabetes requires more than just insulin; it requires daily exercise, which helps to control blood sugar more effectively. During physical therapy, diabetics can learn a variety of exercises that they can use in their everyday lives, thereby allowing them to better manage their blood sugar levels. Furthermore, patients who experience diabetic neuropathy (numbing and tingling sensations in the extremities) can learn strategies and techniques that will help them avoid more serious issues in the future.
Improve Cardiovascular Health
Regular exercise is vital for the health of the heart and cardiovascular system. Physical therapy exercises can be implemented that target the lungs and the heart, helping patients who suffer from or may be prone to developing cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and pulmonary edema.
Enhanced Balance
There are several conditions that can impact a person’s balance and coordination, such as chronic vertigo and vestibular neurosis. These conditions can make it difficult to execute even the simplest movements, such as walking, which can increase the risk of falls that can lead to a variety of serious injuries. A physical therapist can develop a customized treatment plan that is specifically designed to improve balance and coordination, helping patients move with greater ease and avoid falls.
Pregnancy-Related Physical Limitations
Pregnancy can cause significant physical pain and impact an expectant mother’s ability to move. Increased hormone levels that prepare a woman’s body for childbirth and the added weight of the baby can cause conditions that can be particularly painful and severely limit mobility, such as pelvic displacement. Physical therapy can help soon-to-be moms reduce their pain and help them walk with greater ease. Strength building exercises practiced during PT can even prove to be beneficial for labor and delivery.
These are just 10 ways that physical therapy can be beneficial. If you are experiencing issues with pain or mobility and believe that PT would benefit you, don’t hesitate to give us a call! Our licensed physical therapists will perform a thorough evaluation of your condition and design a program that is customized to your specific needs. Don’t let pain or not being able to move as freely as you would like to impact your life! Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced physical therapists.