Physical Therapy: How Can it Help You?

Physical therapy is usually prescribed for patients with orthopedic conditions or those recovering from certain orthopedic injuries or surgeries. It is found to be highly effective for any individual with a medical condition that restricts his/her ability to move around and function normally.

A physical therapy plan customized according to the patient’s specific needs can allow them to return to the activities and lifestyle they had prior to an injury or surgery. It also improves their overall well-being and health. Physical therapy may be used alongside other treatments or as a standalone cure for a medical condition.

If you are wondering what makes physical therapy so beneficial, here are seven ways it allows those suffering from chronic pain to live more comfortably:

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Physical therapy makes use of manual techniques such as soft tissue and joint mobilization and treatments like electrical stimulation. They reduce pain and improve the functionality of joints and muscles to prevent pain from reoccurring. It can be instrumental in managing pain after undergoing a major injury or surgery. Post-surgery pain is often managed using pain medications. However, regular physical therapy can allow the patient to heal while reducing their dependence on drugs to alleviate their pain.

IMPROVES MOBILITY

Regardless of your age, if you find it difficult to move, walk, or stand due to a medical reason, physical therapy can help improve your mobility. There are various strengthening and stretching exercises that are designed to suit individuals who need the assistance of crutches, cane, or other similar devices to help them move. A physical therapist can identify the most effective exercises for you to ensure maximum mobility and performance.

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HELPS RECOVER FROM A STROKE

A large number of people experience loss of partial movement of body parts following a cardiac stroke. Physical therapy helps strengthen the parts of the body that have weakened as a result of a stroke. It improves the organs’ functionality while allowing the patient to continue performing their routine tasks independently.

ASSISTS WITH MANAGING DIABETES

Physical therapy includes a range of weight strengthening and aerobic exercises, which can keep your blood sugar levels in check. Moreover, many diabetic patients experience a loss of sensation in legs and feet as a result of the disease. Physical therapists can tell patients about appropriate care for these areas of their body to avoid the worsening of this problem.

ELIMINATES THE NEED TO UNDERGO SURGERY

There are certain cases where surgery is necessary, but in some situations, physical therapy can serve as an alternative treatment to surgery. Since there are no side effects to physical therapy, doctors often consider it a preferred first treatment option. If there is a noticeable improvement in the patient’s strength and mobility as a result of physical therapy, the doctor may decide to delay surgery or avoid it altogether. It helps reduce healthcare costs for the patient and prevent the complications that could result from the surgery. 

Even if the patient does require surgery at some point later in life, the pre-surgery physical therapy ensures the patient goes into surgery stronger and healthier—it helps them recover a lot faster.

TREATMENT FOR FEMALE HEALTH PROBLEMS

Women experience a range of health problems as a result of pregnancy and giving birth. Physical therapy is a useful way of addressing several of these problems. According to research, 50-70 percent of women suffer from severe back pain as a result of the additional weight they put on during pregnancy and the decline in their posture.

A customized physical therapy plan can be used to provide relief to pregnant women suffering from back pain. It can also ensure your body is in the best shape for a smooth pregnancy and delivery.

TREATS AGE-RELATED MEDICAL PROBLEMS

A significant number of people suffer from ailments such as arthritis or osteoporosis as they enter their senior years. Not only do such diseases limit a person’s mobility and their ability to go about their everyday lives, but they also cause long-term pain. Physical therapy can be used to treat such age-related medical problems and reduce the need for joint replacement surgeries.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The benefits of physical therapy for people suffering from a range of medical conditions or injuries have been proven time and time again. From improved mobility to effective pain management, there are several ways in which physical therapy can improve a patient’s quality of life. It allows them to go about their lives independently, instead of having to rely on someone for their day-to-day tasks.

If you are someone who has been dealing with chronic pain for some time, it is time you look into physical therapy as a treatment. It could end up changing your life for the better, the way it has for countless other people all over the world.