10 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You
1. REDUCE OR ELIMINATE PAIN. Exercises and techniques such as joint and soft tissue mobilization or treatments like ultrasound, taping or electrical stimulation can help relieve pain and restore muscle and joint function to reduce pain. 2. AVOID SURGERY. If physical therapy helps eliminate pain or heal from an injury, surgery may not be needed - avoiding surgery and health care costs. But if surgery is required, pre-surgery physical therapy helps you go into surgery stronger and in better shape, making recovery faster. 3. IMPROVE MOBILITY. If you are experiencing trouble standing, walking or moving, regardless of age, stretching and strengthening exercises help restore your ability to move. Physical therapists can properly fit canes, crutches, orthotic prescriptions and other assistive devices. 4. RECOVER FROM A STROKE. Loss of some degree of function and movement after stroke is common. Physical therapy helps strengthen weakened parts of the body and improve gait and balance. Working with a PT can also improve stroke patients’ ability to transfer and move around in bed so that they can be more independent around the home and reduce their burden of care for the activities of daily living. 5. RECOVER FROM OR PREVENT A SPORTS INJURY. Sports can increase your risk for specific types of injuries, such as stress fractures for distance runners. PT’s can design appropriate recovery or prevention exercise programs to ensure a safe return to your sport. 6. IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE AND PREVENT FALLS. Each patient is screened for fall risk. High risk patients will be provided exercises that safely and carefully challenge their balance as a way to mimic real-life situations. Our PT’s provide exercises to improve coordination and assistive devices to help with safer walking. If the balance problem is caused by one’s vestibular system, Physical Therapists can perform specific maneuvers that quickly restore proper vestibular functioning and reduce symptoms of dizziness or vertigo. 7. MANAGE DIABETES AND VASCULAR CONDITIONS. As part of an overall diabetes management plan, exercise can help effectively control blood sugar. Additionally, people with diabetes may have problems with sensation in their feet and legs. Physical therapy can provide education on proper foot care for these patients. 8. MANAGE AGE-RELATED ISSUES. As individuals age, they may develop arthritis or osteoporosis or need a joint replacement. Physical therapy can help patients recover from joint replacement and manage arthritic or osteoporotic conditions conservatively. 9. MANAGE HEART AND LUNG DISEASE. While patients may complete cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack or procedure, you also may receive physical therapy if your daily functioning is affected. For pulmonary problems,
physical therapy can improve quality of life through strengthening, conditioning and breathing exercises, and help patients clear fluid in the lungs. 10. MANAGE WOMEN’S/MEN’S HEALTH AND OTHER CONDITIONS . Women have specific health concerns, such as with pregnancy and post- partum care. Physical therapy can provide specialized management of issues related to women’s health. Additionally, PT can provide specialized treatment for bowel incontinence, breast cancer, constipation, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, male pelvic health, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence.
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