Some health complications require more than prescribed medicine. If you’re dealing with mobility issues, you may need more guided movement and hands-on treatment. This practice is called physical therapy—and it can do wonders for your health in the long term.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy (PT) is a scientific treatment for patients with joint pains, spine problems, and other mobility-related challenges. This non-invasive technique can help with pain management and improve body function. It is often practiced alongside sessions with specialized doctors and other health professionals.
What are the Benefits of Physical Therapy?
People with chronic pain and injuries can discover the benefits of physical therapy. Here’s how it can improve your body.
Pain Management and Reduction
Many people seek physical therapy because it relieves pain from injury or chronic diseases. It deals with specific problems in the body, such as neck pains, leg movement, back pain, and the like. During a session, you may encounter a variety of techniques, including guided exercises and massages.
You might even encounter electrical stimulation in physical therapy. In this painless method, you will undergo mild electrical pulsations to target nerves. Other times, a physical therapist will employ ultrasound treatments and different kinds of technologies. Although these kinds vary according to need, they can help alleviate the issue permanently.
Better Mobility and Movement
Issues with movement and mobility can accompany an injury. You may have complications doing mundane tasks, from carrying a light load to walking. Thankfully, this is one of the issues PT aims to improve.
A physical therapist can use the same technologies mentioned above to solve movement issues. If your circumstance is more severe than others, you’ll need assistive tools—such as crutches—until the affected part gets better. You might also find more exercises in your program, each type varying in difficulty.
Balance Improvement
PT can correct certain practices in your life. If you’re training for specific activities, physical therapy is a tremendous foundation. The points and exercises you learn in your sessions can help you walk and balance properly.
With the correct physical therapy program, you’ll also be able to reverse learned habits that are typically disadvantageous. For example, the benefits of physical therapy for back pain include better posture, as well as improving your overall alignment.
Coping with Age-Related Challenges
There are tons of benefits of physical surgery for seniors. Patients of older ages are often prescribed exercises to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, they have more requirements for bone, joint, and muscle health. Physical therapy helps them prevent the deterioration of body systems and functions.
Of course, their tolerance for movement may differ from most people’s, so their programs are specifically tailored for their bodies and age. They may also enjoy the benefits of massage in physical therapy.
Recovery from Stroke, Paralysis, and Other Neurological Diseases
Neurological diseases can affect one’s mobility. Combined with the prescriptions of a specialist, physical therapy can be a significant part of one’s treatment. The benefits of physical therapy for cerebral palsy, stroke, paralysis, seizures and other disorders go beyond convenience. They can improve one’s quality of life by helping regulate movement and mobility.
Note that these can happen to anyone of any age. Even toddlers can have neurological challenges, but they can still enjoy the benefits of pediatric physical therapy.
Recovery from Sports-Related Injuries
The benefits of physical therapy for athletes are plenty. Since they deal with intense and competitive environments, they are prone to bodily injury. These include ankle and wrist sprains, fractures, splints, and more.
PT helps them avoid any life-changing injuries or chronic pains. Of course, you don’t have to be a professional athlete to seek physical therapy for sports injuries. If you find yourself in the middle of a physically demanding situation—or worse, a sports-related accident—consult a physical therapist when you can.
Avoidance of Surgery Risks
Some severe issues need surgery, but a doctor may be able to prescribe non-invasive alternatives like physical therapy. If your injury is mild enough or the disease was caught early on, you have better chances of foregoing a surgical procedure. Additionally, you save a great deal of money and time in recovery.
However, note that physical therapy cannot always replace surgical treatment. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your options.
Concerns About Physical Therapy
Don’t let your qualms stop you from seeking the treatment you need. Here are answers to some of your questions on PT.
How Does PT Work?
Your first session will consist of a diagnosis. Once the pain points are discovered, the therapist will help you with a personalized program consisting of guided exercises and massages. Sometimes, techniques like electrical stimulation and ultrasound are employed.
How Long Does PT Take Before Benefits Are Observed?
There is no single answer for how long PT can take effect. Sometimes it takes a few weeks; other times, it will take months. The answer depends on your circumstances: the affected body part, how bad the condition is, and the like.
Who Benefits From PT?
People of all ages and conditions can seek treatment to help improve their physical condition.
Who Are Qualified to Do PT?
Seek only certified physical therapists. Remember, this treatment can have long-term effects on your body, so ensure that you consult legitimate professionals.
What Kind of PT Should I Get?
There are different PT types you can seek. For example, there’s aquatic physical therapy, which is done in the water, and there’s telehealth physical therapy, which is done virtually. The benefits of aquatic physical therapy differ from the benefits of telehealth physical therapy.
Ask your physical therapy clinical instructor about the kind of treatment you need to pursue.
How to Find a Good PT with Coury & Buehler
Need direct access to physical therapy? Let us know! Our expert roster of physical therapists can help you improve your quality of life through high-quality PT services.
