A professional physical therapy program can help individuals return to their previous level of functioning, as well as encourage lifestyle changes and activities that can help avoid further injury and improve the overall health and well being of the person. Doctors often refer patients to physical therapy since it is considered a conservative approach to managing such problems. Here are some ways physical therapy is beneficial.
Reduce Or Eliminate Pain
Manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises like joint and soft tissue mobilization or treatments like taping, electrical stimulation or ultrasound can help relieve pain and restore joint and muscle function in order to reduce pain. There is also a chance that such therapies can prevent the pain from returning.
Avoid Surgery
If physical therapy can help you heal from an injury or reduce or eliminate pain, surgery may not be required. Even if surgery is needed, there is a good chance that you might benefit from pre-surgery physical therapy itself. Besides, if you go into a surgery stronger and better, the recovery will take much less time in most cases. Health care costs are reduced significantly by avoiding surgery.
Improve Mobility
If you have difficulty in walking, moving or standing irrespective of your age, physical therapy can help. Strengthening and stretching exercises can restore the body’s ability to move. Physical therapists can fit individuals with a cane, crutches or other assistive devices, or assess orthotic prescription. By the customization of an individual care plan, any activity which is essential to the life of an individual can be practised and adapted to make sure maximum performance and safety.
Recover From A Stroke
It is quite common to lose a certain degree of function and mobility after suffering from a stroke. Physical therapy can improve gait and balance as well as strengthen weakened parts of the body. Physical therapists can also better the ability of a patient to transfer their weight and move around in bed so that they can be independent around the house and reduce their burden of care for bathing, dressing, going to the toilet and other activities of daily living.
Recover From Or Prevent A Sports Injury
Physical therapists know how different sports can increase the risk for certain types of injuries like tendon tears for tennis players, stress fractures for distance runners etc. They can design appropriate prevention and recovery exercise programs so that you can have a safe return to your sport.
Improve Your Balance And Prevent Falls
Before starting with physical therapy, you will be screened for fall risk. If you are at high risk for falls, therapists provide exercises which can carefully and safely challenge the balance of the patient as a way to mimic real-life situations. Therapists also help with activities that can improve coordination and assistive devices which can help with safer walking.