Health & nutrition insights.

Physical therapy is a proven treatment method that helps people recover from injuries, pain, and other health conditions. There are so many benefits to physical therapy that one might not realize all the reasons to give it a try. Exercise is a main component of physical therapy, but treatment may also include stress-relief, soft tissue work, posture, balance, and coordination. Here are six reasons to see a physical therapist:

Reduce pain

Pain is often the primary reason one might see a physical therapist. Physical therapy is a conservative way to help reduce pain. Therapeutic exercises and manual therapy can help restore proper muscle and joint function, assisting in proper movement patterns. This may help reduce or eliminate the use of opioids for pain relief.

Avoid Surgery

If physical therapy helps you manage pain or recover from an injury, then surgery may not be needed! For back pain specifically, physical therapy can be the first line of defense. In fact, RESEARCH has shown it to be successful, that often insurance companies would prefer a patient to have physical therapy before getting expensive imaging done.

Even if you end up needing a surgery, there is still plenty of benefit from pre-surgery therapy. In general, the fitter you are before surgery, the quicker you are to get back to your daily activities. It may even help reduce complications and decrease hospital stay. Prehab should begin at a minimum of 6 weeks prior to orthopedic surgery.

Mobility Improvement

Stretching and strengthening exercises help restore your ability move for any age. Flexibility is the ability of your soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) ability to stretch. Mobility, on the other hand, is the joints ability to move through a full range of motion. Issues such as post-surgery, arthritis, injury, or age-related health concerns are things that may cause reduced mobility.

Sports Injury or Injury Prevention

Injury and prevention are reasons to see a physical therapist. Sports related injuries are one of the leading causes of injury in children. It’s also a primary reason to see a physical therapist. Besides rehabbing from an injury, physical therapy can help prevent injury by fixing imbalances in the body that may lead to injury. For tips on prevention on common sports injuries, check out our blog here.

Fall Prevention

Falling down is one of the leading causes of injury in older adults. The risk of falling only increases with age and can even be fatal. Physical therapy helps improve coordination and balance, therefore, reducing the risk of falls. A physical therapist may also make recommendations on assistive devices such as a walker or cane to promote longer independence.

Health Condition Management

In addition to acute injuries, physical therapists can help manage chronic health conditions. It is beneficial for those suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, bowel/bladder issues, complications from breast cancer, and many more!