8 Reasons Why Physical Therapy Is Beneficial

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An individually tailored physical therapy program can help people of all ages recover their normal level of functioning. Physical therapy can also help promote activities and changes in lifestyle, preventing further damage and improving overall well-being.

Keep reading to discover eight reasons why undergoing physical therapy may be beneficial for you.

1. Prevent or alleviate pain

Therapeutic exercises and hands-on techniques like joint manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, and traction can help reduce pain and improve muscle and joint strength and flexibility. And procedures like ultrasound, NMES, and strapping can also help relieve pain and prevent it from returning. 

2. Prevent surgical treatment

Physical therapy can help you relieve pain or recover from an injury. This can help reduce your risk of requiring surgery. And even if surgery is necessary, it may be beneficial to undergo pre-surgery physical therapy. Prehab can help improve the odds of successful surgical treatment and reduce the recovery period. Plus, by preventing surgery, you can reduce your health care costs.

3. Increase mobility

If you have difficulty moving, walking, or standing, regardless of your age, physical therapy can be beneficial to you. Carefully tailored exercise programs can help you strengthen and stretch your muscles. And physical therapy specialists can supply you with an assistive device and foot orthoses prescription if necessary. With an individually customized treatment plan, any activity that is necessary for your life can be practiced and adapted to enhance performance and prevent injury.

4. Post-stroke rehabilitation

Stroke patients typically experience muscle weakness and loss of function. Therapeutic exercises can help you straighten weakened muscles and enhance balance and coordination. Physical therapy specialists can also help enhance stroke patients’ ability to move around in the bed, making them more independent and reducing difficulties with daily activities. 

5. Prevent or treat a sports injury

Various sports can put you at risk of injury, which in severe cases may cause permanent disability. Sports injury doctors can develop proper rehabilitation or prevention exercise plans to help you return to your sport.

6. Manage diabetes and vascular problems

Therapeutic exercises are perfect to control blood sugar, which can help you manage diabetes. Plus, diabetes patients often experience loss of sensation in their feet and legs due to peripheral neuropathy. If you’re having peripheral neuropathy, a physical therapy specialist can teach you proper foot care to help prevent additional symptoms in the future.

7. Prevent and manage women’s health conditions 

 Women can experience certain health problems during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. A physical therapist can address specific spinal and pelvic dysfunctions and provide exercises aimed at strengthening muscles and improving balance in pregnant women. Plus, physical therapy can be beneficial for the treatment of fecal incontinence, breast cancer, constipation, fibromyalgia, lymphatic edema, pelvic and uterine pain.

8. Manage elderly health issues 

Aging puts you at risk of experiencing arthritis or osteoarthritis. Sometimes these conditions may require joint replacement surgery. A physical therapist can help you recover from joint replacement and reduce joint pain and stiffness. Plus, physical therapy exercises help conservatively manage arthritis and osteoarthritis.

The bottom line

Consider undergoing physical therapy if you’re suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions. Physical therapy is highly beneficial to improve mobility and reduce pain caused by sports injuries or age-related issues. Physical therapy can also help avoid surgery. And if surgery is required, pre-operative physical therapy can help increase your chances of a fast recovery. Physical therapy is also beneficial to improve mobility and coordination of stroke patients. If you’re suffering from peripheral neuropathy or diabetes, physical therapy specialist can help you control blood pressure and prevent further symptoms.