Injury, surgery and certain health conditions can make it difficult to move your body the way you want. Whether you need a few sessions to help heal an injury or long-term support managing a chronic condition, physical therapy can be the answer.
Often, PT is more effective than surgery, plus it’s noninvasive. Understanding the benefits of PT can help you determine if it is right for you. Visit https://www.onpointphysio.com/ to learn more.
Whether due to an injury, surgery or chronic medical condition, many people experience pain and limited mobility. A physical therapist can help improve this. They will create a personalized exercise plan to strengthen and loosen the muscles around the injured area, helping relieve pain. They can also assist with the fitting of mobility aids, such as walkers or canes, and provide training on how to use them correctly.
In addition to improving mobility, physical therapy has been shown to decrease the need for opioid medication, which can have serious side effects. It is a much safer and more effective long-term treatment method.
Movement is the key to good health, but many injuries and medical conditions can interfere with this. In fact, injury or limited mobility can lead to depression, which can worsen the condition and impact overall quality of life. With the right guidance and support, patients can get back on track.
In many cases, physical therapy can help patients avoid surgery, which is expensive and comes with risks. In some instances, it can even help patients with herniated discs or other severe injuries reduce pain and improve mobility to the point that they no longer need surgery.
The most obvious benefit of physical therapy is the improvement in movement, which can reduce pain and improve mental health. For many people, just knowing that they can move better is enough to boost confidence and improve quality of life. The exercises taught in PT are also easy to do at home and can continue to help improve mobility after the patient leaves their clinic.
Physical therapy can also help prevent falls, which are very common in older adults and can have devastating consequences. Over 25% of seniors over age 65 will fall this year, and the risk increases with each additional fall. A physical therapist can evaluate the individual needs of each patient and develop a personalized plan to improve strength, balance, and mobility to prevent falls and reduce the risk of future injuries. In the long run, this can significantly improve quality of life.
Prevention of Future Injuries
Whether you’re an athlete looking to improve your performance or someone recovering from surgery, physical therapy is the best way to prevent future injuries and increase mobility. Physical therapists focus on fixing faulty movement patterns, which can cause pain and limit your range of motion. They teach you exercises that will help improve flexibility and strength, making it less likely you’ll suffer from an injury in the future.
The exercises you learn in physical therapy aren’t just beneficial for injuries, they can also be used to prevent heart disease and vascular issues. They can even be helpful in the fight against diabetes, as they improve circulation and reduce blood sugar levels.
Studies have shown that people who have attended physical therapy are often less likely to develop a chronic condition. This is because the regular workouts strengthen muscles, joints and other tissues. It’s also important to know that physical therapy is an effective alternative to surgical procedures, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Depending on your specific condition, you might attend physical therapy in a hospital or healthcare facility, at a private clinic or in the comfort of your own home. Your physical therapist will work closely with you and your referring physician to create an individualized treatment plan that’s unique to your needs and goals.
If you’re struggling with an injury or are dealing with a chronic condition, schedule an appointment with a Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group orthopedic physician or primary care physician to see if physical therapy is right for you. We can recommend a trusted physical therapist who will provide you with the quality care you need to get back in the game. Our physical therapists are highly trained and educated in the latest rehabilitation techniques. They combine their knowledge of surgical procedures and treatment methods with what they identify about your body to offer the ultimate customized experience. This means that you’ll receive the best results and a faster, fuller recovery. Our goal is to restore your function, mobility and movement, so you can live your life to its fullest.
Reduced Pain
Regardless of whether you suffer from an acute injury, post-surgery recovery or a chronic condition that impacts your movement and range of motion, physical therapy may be able to help. It’s not just about alleviating current pain, though – physical therapy also prevents future injuries and helps you feel healthier throughout your life.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends physical therapy as an effective alternative to opioids for pain management. Physical therapy can include massages, treatments that use heat or cold, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and other techniques designed to reduce acute and chronic pain.
A major goal of physical therapy is to teach patients new ways of moving. Many people think they know how to move properly, but PT can often find areas of weakness and misalignment that create problems in the long run. PT can then address these issues and fix them, which can lead to reduced pain, increased strength and improved flexibility.
If you suffer from a chronic health condition that causes pain, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, a physical therapist can create a treatment plan to manage it. These treatments can be more natural and less costly than prescription medications or surgery. Moreover, they can increase the self-efficacy of a patient by helping them believe they are capable of managing their pain and improving their quality of life.
Physical therapy is a safe, effective way to reduce pain and improve your quality of life, especially when used in conjunction with other treatment methods like pain medications and surgery. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor or physical therapist about your pain and symptoms before starting any type of therapy.
It’s also important to get the recommended amount of daily exercise, which can be difficult for those suffering from pain or limited mobility. Luckily, physical therapy can help by teaching you new exercises and modalities that will allow you to exercise without increasing your pain or discomfort. This can even include aquatic therapy, which uses water to help reduce pressure on painful joints. Getting regular exercise will also keep your muscles and joints strong, which can further help to prevent future injuries.
Increased Confidence
Living with pain, injuries and chronic conditions can be very stressful. Physical therapy can help reduce the stress that comes with these conditions. By taking a holistic approach to treatment, physical therapists can help patients achieve a greater sense of wellbeing and peace of mind. This is especially important for those suffering from conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Physical therapists often work in a one-on-one setting. This allows them to provide hands-on treatment and give their full attention to each patient. This is also an opportunity to build trust and make a connection with each individual patient. This helps to ensure that the patient is comfortable and confident in their therapists.
A big part of physical therapy involves learning exercises to improve mobility, coordination and muscle strength. However, these exercises will only work if the patient regularly performs them outside of their physical therapy sessions. This is why the best therapists will encourage patients to stick with their treatment plan, even after their session has ended.
In many cases, physical therapy can be used to reduce pain and symptoms and prevent surgery from being needed. This can be an incredible confidence booster for those who are worried about the risks and recovery time associated with surgical procedures.
Increasing patient confidence is a great way to increase the number of physical therapy sessions at your clinic. It will also allow you to develop raving fans who will happily recommend your services to their friends and family members.
As a physical therapist, it is important to stay up-to-date on all the latest clinical research. However, you should never get so wrapped up in this that you lose sight of the goal of building a successful relationship with each and every patient.
By staying focused on your goals and remaining confident in your abilities, you will be able to help patients in a more effective manner. This will not only boost your own self-esteem but it will also give your patients the motivation they need to continue with their treatments. You can then enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a real difference in your patients’ lives.