Physical therapy is one of the best decisions you can make if you suffer from chronic pain or have undergone an injury. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, a physical therapist is a trained and licensed medical professional who improves their patients’ quality of life through directed exercise, hands-on care and patient education. Many physical therapy patients have injuries, disabilities or other health conditions, while others want to be healthier or limit future health problems.

Depending on the reason for treatment, physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits that can assist with your recovery and sometimes prove to be as effective as other treatment options. Read on to learn more about some of the many benefits of physical therapy. 

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP IMPROVE BALANCE AND MOBILITY ISSUES

Physical therapy can help improve many different balance and mobility issues. Gait abnormality is an unusual problem with walking, while balance issues can occur whether you are walking, standing or sitting. Balance problems may cause you to feel dizzy, as if the room is spinning, unsteady or lightheaded. These conditions generally occur due to a physical ailment or a condition related to the vestibular-cochlear system (which controls balance during stance, walking and is related to hearing).

After identifying the cause of your balance or mobility problems, a physical therapist will improve these issues by safely implementing individualized programs, exercises and education to improve your coordination and reduce the risk of falls. Treatments a physical therapist may suggest include strength and movement-building exercises, neuromuscular re-education techniques, postural education, manual therapy techniques and a comprehensive home exercise program suited to your specific needs. 

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP TREAT AND PREVENT SPORTS INJURIES

Physical therapy helps treat common sports injuries like an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear, rotator cuff tear, tennis elbow and so forth. Physical therapists create suitable treatment and prevention plans to help you successfully heal and return to sports as soon as possible. For example, tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a painful irritation or inflammation of the elbow. Tennis players, racquetball players and baseball players are all prone to this condition. If you have tennis elbow, physical therapy’s goal will be to increase your flexibility, strength and endurance. A physical therapist may place a brace on your forearm to reduce muscular tension, and you might receive ultrasound therapy, an ice massage or electric stimulation to help improve your symptoms.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP MANAGE CHRONIC PAIN

Chronic pain can occur in nearly any part of the body and lasts for at least 12 weeks. Chronic pain may feel sharp or dull and cause a burning or aching sensation in the affected areas. This pain is often the result of postsurgical pain, lower-back pain, arthritis pain, neurogenic pain, post-trauma pain, among other reasons. 

In certain instances and when dosed appropriately, prescription medications can be an appropriate short-term solution to chronic pain management. However, the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages health care providers to prescribe non-opioid medications and use non-pharmacological therapies, like physical therapy, for treatment instead. Physical therapy includes various exercises and manual therapy techniques to ease pain and restore muscle movement and function.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP MANAGE AGE-RELATED ISSUES 

Physical therapy can help older patients manage age-related issues like arthritis, joint pains and osteoporosis. For example, arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. The most common form of arthritis is called osteoarthritis, which is considered a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the result of an infection to the joint, age or trauma to a joint, and it causes a person to experience impaired functional ability. The most commonly affected sites of osteoarthritis are the hands, knees and hips. Physical therapy treatment may include heat or cold packs, therapeutic exercises, strengthening exercises, electric stimulation, body mechanics and passive/active range of motion.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH RECOVERY AFTER ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

If you recently have undergone surgery from an orthopedic condition, physical therapy can help you regain your mobility and strength and return to your normal activities. Common surgeries that usually require physical therapy are total joint replacements, knee surgeries, rotator cuff repairs/shoulder surgeries, foot and ankle surgeries and neck or back surgeries. Physical therapy management commonly includes assistance with specific exercises, manual therapy, education, manipulation and other techniques. A physical therapist will examine and develop an individual treatment plan based on your deficits with flexibility, strength, range of motion, endurance, coordination or balance. They will also work to reduce your pain and swelling if you are experiencing any following surgery. A physical therapist may also issue you a home exercise program to help you overcome your issues quickly. 

Not only will your physical therapist help you overcome your concerns after surgery, but they will also help to educate you on how to avoid a repeat injury. Your physical therapist will work with you to regain your independence and help you return to all the activities that you previously enjoyed before surgery.

NEED A PHYSICAL THERAPIST? CONTACT THE ORTHOPEDIC GROUP

If you are looking for a physical therapist, our team at The Orthopedic Group is here to help! Our physical therapists located at our office in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, are here to help you restore motion, alleviate pain and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible. If you would like to request information about our physical therapy services or make an appointment with one of our physical therapists, use the link provided here or give us a call at 724-379-5802. We look forward to hearing from you!