10 Reasons Why Physical Therapy is Beneficial
People of all ages and with a variety of medical conditions, illnesses, and injuries are helped through physical therapy.
Having a personalized physical therapy program can improve your mobility, increase flexibility, and enable you to engage in regular daily activities more freely. Physical Therapy can also reduce your pain level and increase your quality of life. Many people wonder, can you go to physical therapy without a referral? While many doctors refer patients to physical therapy for rehabilitation or surgery prevention, there are a number of other benefits and many practices accept patients without a referral.
Here are 10 Reasons why Physical Therapy is beneficial:
1. Recover from/Prevent a sports injury – Physical Therapists understand the impact and risks different types of sports can have on your body. Runners are more prone to have stress fractures, example. Having a customized physical therapists who is focused on your particular sport/injury is a tremendous benefit to your recovery and longevity in the sport.
2. Eliminate/reduce Pain – Whether you live an active or sedentary lifestyle, chronic pain can be a serious issue that affects many aspects of your life. Over 80% of the country suffers from low back pain and the increasing sedentary lifestyle many lead isn’t helping that statistic. Therapeutic exercises and manual techniques including joint & tissue mobilization and treatments like taping, ultrasound, and electric stimulation can play a significant role in reducing pain and preventing its return.
3. Improving your balance – Foundational stability is too often overlooked in physical training and sports. As a result, many people have increased injuries, trips, and falls. Physical Therapists understand the importance of building a strong foundation that is created by a balanced body before adding bulk and strength training. When the balance problem is caused by a problem in one’s vestibular system, a physical therapist can perform manuevers that can help with vertigo, dizziness and more. Learn more from our balance service page.
4. Managing age-related issues – Arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint replacement are common challenges that face many people as they get older. Physical therapy is a great way to manage these conditions, delay the need for joint replacement, and improve recovery time.
5. Avoid surgery – A personalized physical therapy program can eliminate pain or help you recover from an injury thereby making the surgery unecessary. While this isn’t the case 100% of the time, having pre-surgical physical therapy can improve the results from the surgery and reduce recovery time.
6. Manage diabetes and vascular conditions – Patients with diabetes often have problems with sensation in their feet. A physical therapist can show them techniques for proper foot care that prevent conditions further down the road. As part of a complete management program, exercise can help control blood sugar levels. So, physical therapy is an effective part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
7. Recover from a stroke – Physical therapy can help strengthen weakened parts of the body, improve gait and regain balance following a stroke. Strengthening a patient and increasing their mobility and ability to transfer allows them to be more independent at home reducing the burden on family members or friends for bathing and basic toileting, dressing, and basic daily activities.
8. Manage women’s health – Women have specific health needs that a physical therapist can help treat successfully including pregancy and post-partum care. In addition issues like pelvic pain, breast cancer, and fibromyalgia can be improved with physical therapy.
9. Improve mobility – Regardless of your age, proper mobility is critical. Without it, you can have problems with simple, every day tasks like standing, walking, or even sitting for extended periods of time. A physical therapist can improve mobility and flexibilty through a personalized program as well as any additional equipment (canes, crutches, etc) that may be needed to ensure you stay mobile.
10. Manage heart and lung disease – While patients may complete cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack or procedure, you may also receive physical therapy if your daily functionoing is affected.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these conditions or issues, please contact us for information on how we can help you create a better quality of life. Learn more about our services and what we treat for physical therapy with or without a doctor’s referral.
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