Five Reasons Physical Therapy Is So Vital

For those of you who have suffered an injury, orthopaedic surgery or even pain, the importance and benefits of physical therapy could be clear to you. If you're not acquainted with physical therapy, I'd like to share some information about why it is important and what you can gain from it.

Physical therapy is an exciting profession that relies on scientifically-based treatments to help restore and maintain the highest level of physical performance.

Here are 5 reasons you should choose physical therapy:

Reduce Pain

We can all admit that we don't want to be in discomfort. Sometimes, the reason for the pain isn't obvious. Anyone who has had pain or continues to suffer from pain is aware of the impact it has on well-being. But, assisted stretching therapy has been proven to be a successful method to treat pain that is chronic and acute. The use of therapeutic exercise as well as joints mobilization, soft tissue and other modalities in physical therapy have been proven to decrease or eliminate pain. It also teaches patients self-remedies to avoid future pain.

Prevent Surgery

Surgery is usually a choice for those who suffer from discomfort or impairment. Sometimes surgery is needed, but in most cases physical therapy can help patients avoid having to go under the surgical knife. Research suggests that physical therapy is the best alternative for injuries to the musculoskeletal system. It's worth giving it an attempt before going under the knife. In the instances that therapy is not able to hinder surgical procedures, there's strong evidence to suggest that shoulder pain therapy prior to surgery can improve the outcomes postoperatively!

Return to activity after injury

As a physical therapist I have known many of my colleagues to be avid fitness enthusiasts and athletes. Add that to a degree in physical rehabilitation and you'll have the perfect person to help you return to your favorite activities. A physical therapist will take into consideration both the healing process and physical demands involved in the exercise to develop a custom plan utilizing methodologies that are scientifically based to return you to the road as quickly as is possible.

Avoid Injuries

The majority of people seek out physical therapy to recover following injury or when in pain. Another aspect that is frequently overlooked is the significance of physical therapy for identifying and treating weak areas or mobility issues that can cause a patient to be more prone to injury. A physical therapist can identify these impairments and create an action plan to correct the issues. This could help reduce the chance of suffering an injury. All injuries can't be avoided, but it's better to be proactive to avoid injury than be ill!

Increase balance and prevent falling

It is well-known that falls among seniors are prevalent, dangerous and have the potential to severely impact their lives. Seniors over 65 are at the risk of falling 25 percent more frequently than those below. This percentage only gets greater with the advancing years! At least one person will fall each year. This can have serious effects. A physical therapist can assist to avoid falling by assessing your requirements and preparing an individual treatment plan that includes exercises designed to improve flexibility, strength and balance as well as coordination. They also provide information for patients and their families on methods to minimize the risk of falling at home.

The benefits of physical therapy in totality could be difficult to include into a short article However, I hope this is informative for people who might not have known the importance of manual therapy. As someone that has worked in the field and been a patient, I have experienced the benefits of physical therapy firsthand. It is possible to talk to your orthopedist or physician for any questions regarding physical therapy.