Why You Should Consider Physical Therapy

After an injury, getting back to normal can feel like a feat years in the making. Regaining your full range of motion in your joints can feel impossible, and it isn’t uncommon for your limitations to take a mental toll. Watching the world continue on playing sports and being active, there you sit, stuck in recovery.

You have options, but they aren’t always the best solution. Medications, surgeries, and rest all offer some relief but consider the wait time and possible side effects. Why not consider taking a more holistic and natural approach to recovery?

Physical therapy can help you take your life back. Learn more here about what a physical therapist does and why it might be the best choice for your recovery.

Your Physical Therapist Will Help You Set Goals

During your first appointment with your physical therapist, you will undergo an evaluation in which the therapist will ask you about your lifestyle and health history, and test your balance and mobility. Then, the physical therapist will help you set short-term and long-term goals.

As you progress through therapy (which may include gentle stretching, ultrasound, electric stimulation, etc.) you will be able to see your progress and how it relates to each goal.

These Goals May Include Avoiding Surgery or Medications

Do you want to avoid costly surgeries or risky medications? Those are common goals among patients in physical therapy, and the results are often positive.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention even recommends that you try out physical therapy before asking a doctor for medication. They say:

“The contextual evidence review found that many nonpharmacologic therapies, including physical therapy…and certain interventional procedures can ameliorate chronic pain.”

On the other hand, medications — especially opioids — often come with a high risk of addiction.

Physical therapy can help you alleviate pain after surgery or from certain conditions and avoid the need for medication. (Your trip to the therapist can also help to reduce medical costs.)

Physical Therapy Can Help Address Other Conditions

Don’t limit your idea of physical therapy to injury recovery. There are many reasons why people visit a physical therapist, including:

• Chronic pain or fatigue
• Recent surgery
• Recent stroke
• Pre- or post-partum needs
• Arthritis relief
• Sprains, strains, or broken bones
• Bowel issues
• Weight loss or fitness education
• Desire to improve athletic abilities or recover from a sports injury

If any of these issues affect your life, you have even more reasons to consider seeing a physical therapist for treatment.

Physical Therapy Can Improve Your Lifestyle

Patients don’t have to visit the office every day to get the benefits of physical therapy. One alternative method of treatment is, after an initial visit, the therapist can customize a set of exercises the patient can complete in the office and at home.

Every time they complete the exercises given by the therapist, they can continue to experience the benefits from their previous appointment.

Regular exercise is good for the body and the mind. Even gentle physical activity can help to release “happy chemicals” in the brain, relieve tension in the muscles, and reduce pain.

Other benefits of physical therapy include:

• More mobility and flexibility
• Sturdier balance
• Less pain
• Faster recovery from surgery or injury
• Regained strength

All of these can greatly benefit your ability to complete everyday activities and get back into the hobbies that you love.

Ready for Physical Therapy?

Ready to start getting back to your version of normal? Tired of watching the rest of the world live life? Do any of these options sound like they might be the right path for you?

Reach out to a local physical therapist for more information on consultations, treatments, and how you can improve your life with therapy.

About the Author:

Dr. Singer has been a practicing chiropractor for more than 20 years, and USA Health & Therapy has been around since 2004. Over the course of his career, Singer has helped tens of thousands of people with all kinds of issues by using a wide variety of treatment strategies. He has extensive knowledge of chiropractic modalities, including Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson Drop Table, and Activator, and in 1997 he earned a special adjunctive Chiropractic Certification in Spinal Trauma (CCST) to better provide care for car crash victims. Dr. Singer is licensed to practice chiropractic medicine in both Florida and New York.