PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR YOUR NOGGIN Get HelpWith Vertigo, Dizziness, Headaches, and More! Picture a physical therapist in your mind’s eye. What are they doing? You probably imagined them stretching a patient’s arm, helping someone through leg exercises, or massaging away back pain. Are we right on the money? You’re also much more likely to fall and hurt yourself if you’re dizzy, which is dangerous because more than 32,000 older adults die due to falls every year.
Fortunately, PT can help you avoid that worst-case scenario. Depending on the cause of your dizziness, your PT may provide exercises to improve your balance, strength, and flexibility. Certain therapies can even target the network of nerves between your inner ear and eyes that keeps your vision steady. These will make turning your head less disorienting. RECOVER YOUR BALANCE AFTER A CONCUSSION. If you’ve been in a car crash, experienced a sports injury, or hit your head another way, a concussion might be causing your headaches, dizziness, or vertigo. These symptoms can often persist long after you see a doctor, but a PT can give you guidance on safe activities, working with you to restore your balance, strength, and endurance through a customized exercise program. Your therapist might also use manual therapy, massage, and electrical stimulation to reduce your symptoms. Not every physical therapist specializes in treating head injuries and conditions like a neurological physical therapist or vestibular physical therapist does. But even if your PT doesn’t offer these treatments, they can certainly recommend someone in the field! To learn more about the benefits of PT for your noggin, ask about them on your next PT or doctor’s visit.
All of these things are vital parts of the physical therapist’s toolbox, but they don’t give the whole picture. What most people don’t realize is that physical therapy isn’t just for body aches from the neck down. It can also treat head injury and ailments, neurological problems, and more! In many cases, the same techniques that ease your sore muscles and mobilize your joints can also help with headaches, dizziness, vertigo and even concussions. EASE HEADACHES WITHOUT MEDICATION. Physical therapy techniques like manual therapy and exercise have been proven to decrease the intensity, frequency, and duration of headaches. In some cases, PT can eliminate headache symptoms altogether! Your therapist will start by identifying the type of headache you have, then use targeted exercises (including eye exercises!) and other treatments to improve your mobility, reduce your pain, and help you kick medication to the curb. STOP DIZZINESS AND VERTIGO IN THEIR TRACKS. Dizziness and vertigo are terrible symptoms to live with. They can come with nausea, vomiting, anxiety, exhaustion, and even depression. These symptoms make it difficult to walk and do everyday tasks.
3 Major Benefits of Core Exercises
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES BECOME EASIER. Nearly every physical activity becomes easier with stronger core muscles. Swinging a golf club, grabbing something from a high shelf, and bending over to touch your toes will be much simpler with stronger core muscles. Weak core muscles wreak havoc on a number of daily activities. Athletes will be more prone to injuries and fatigue if their core muscles are not strong enough. Poor posture and lower back pain also plague people with a weak core, and these issues could haunt you for years to come. SAVE MONEY AT THE GYM. People go to gyms because they usually offer a selection of weights and equipment not available in their homes. Most core exercises do not require any type of equipment or even a gym membership. They can be executed in your own house! Doing core exercises like sit-ups, bridges, and crunches are possible for anyone and are great if you don’t have the time or money for a gym membership.
Anyone who has tried to build muscle, lose weight, or develop a well-rounded exercise routine is probably familiar with core exercises. Sit-ups, planks, crunches, and leg raises are great ways to develop a picturesque six-pack, but many more benefits come with improving your core. Here are three of the best you can gain with core exercises. ENJOY BETTER BALANCE AND STABILITY. While people most often associate core exercises with their abdomen, they also strengthen the pelvis, lower back, and hips. Working these specific muscles is one of the best ways to improve overall balance and stability. Better balance helps with everyday activities like climbing stairs and also improves performance in various sports. A good exercise to improve your core and balance is to elbow plank on an exercise ball. This exercise requires no machinery besides an exercise ball, so it’s an option for many people.
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