Has your doctor advised you to try physical therapy? It is a common recommendation after an accident or surgery. It may also be necessary if you’re experiencing an acute or chronic condition. There are a number of potential benefits of physical therapy. Let’s take a closer look at what you can gain.
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Physical Therapy Benefits
Whether you’re looking into physical therapy in Hamden, New York City, Miami or San Diego, there are a number of potential benefits.
1. Reduce or Eliminate Pain
Physical therapy for pain can help with both acute and chronic conditions. There are a number of techniques that can be used to help reduce pain, including therapeutic exercises and stretching. Massage, electrical stimulation, cold and heat therapy, and taping are other techniques used for pain management.
Many patients experience a big reduction in their pain. In some cases, pain may disappear completely.
2. Recover From Injuries
Accident-related and sports injuries don’t always require surgery. In some cases, therapy may be the best solution. Whether you’re recovering from a sprained ankle or a rotator cuff injury, therapy can help strengthen the affected area and increase your range of motion.
Some other benefits of physical therapy for those suffering from injuries include a reduction in pain and a lower likelihood of developing permanent damage from the injury. It can also help prevent re-injury from occurring.
Doing physical therapy helps ensure your injury heals as smoothly as possible and helps ensure you get back on your feet (in some cases, literally) again.
3. Shorten Post-Surgery Recovery
One of the most common reasons for physical therapy is post-surgery recovery. If you’ve recently been in an accident or if have fallen, you might need an operation for a broken hip or wrist. Certain sports-related injuries, such as a torn ACL or other long-term conditions, may also result in surgery, such as a knee or hip replacement.
Regardless of why you need surgery, doing therapy in the weeks or months following can help improve your recovery time. Therapy can help you regain normal functioning, prevent scar tissue from building up, restore range of motion, and help strengthen the affected areas. All of these benefits will help you recover as quickly and smoothly as possible.
4. Manage Neurological Conditions
Physical therapy is ideal for anyone who lives with neurological conditions, such as stroke, Parkin’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and multiple sclerosis (MS). It can also help aid in spinal cord injuries.
For those suffering from neurological conditions, physical therapy can help improve symptoms stemming from nervous system damage and increase mobility. It can help individuals preserve, restore, and increase their ability to function on a day-to-day basis.
5. Reduce Symptoms From Autoimmune Diseases
If you suffer from an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or lupus, the symptoms can be debilitating. Therapy can make you feel better by targeting the areas that might be stiff or sore. The intervention can help increase flexibility and improve your range of motion, in addition to reducing any pain you may be experiencing.
Physical therapy can be life-changing for those who need it. It can help ensure your body heals as it should after an injury or may help you preserve your ability to continue with everyday functions if you’re suffering from an acute or chronic health condition.
If your doctor has prescribed therapy, it’s important to take it seriously. Play an active role in your recovery by showing up to your sessions and doing any home exercises that your physical therapist recommends. Your body will thank you later.
