Many people first experience the benefits of physical therapy after an injury, but most are under the impression that they can only seek the help of these professionals for follow-up care, if they are seniors, or by order of a physician. The truth is, physical therapy can help people of all ages that are experiencing limitations when it comes to daily activities and can be sought by anyone looking to improve their well being. Here are some surprising ways that seeking the care of a physical therapist can improve your health.
Improve Your Mobility
No matter your age or the cause of the condition, physical therapists can help make moving, walking, and even standing easier. These professionals are trained to understand the dynamics of movement in relation to the human body. Physical therapists will often instruct you to use an assistive device like a brace in combination with strengthening exercisises to help you regain maximum mobility.
Help Reduce Aches and Pains
Stretches and exercises aren’t the only techniques used by physical therapists to get your body back in shape. Therapy professionals today are also trained in manual therapy techniques like taping, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, deep tissue massage, and joint mobilization. They can not only reduce the current level of pain but help keep it from returning as the healing process progresses
Potentially Avoid Surgery
In many cases, physical therapists may be able to help you strengthen or tone weak muscles, or help condition stiff or tender joints or muscles, reducing pain to the point that surgery may not even be necessary. In fact, a 2014 Finnish study published in the Bone and Joint Journal found physical therapy to be as effective as surgery when it came to reducing pain and improving function in non-traumatic rotator cuff tears in the shoulder. Also, getting physical therapy before some surgeries can actually reduce recovery time and more quickly improve your overall condition after the procedure.
Help Prevent Falls
As we age, our muscle mass and bone density levels naturally decrease, so it’s especially important for seniors to be proactive about adopting activities that build strength and help them maintain balance over time. A French study published in the British Medical Journal determined that “exercise programs [for seniors] reduced falls that caused injuries by 37%, falls leading to serious injuries by 43%, and broken bones by 61%.” Seeking the assistance of a physical therapist will not only get you screened for fall risk, you’ll also be provided with exercises to improve coordination and reduce or eliminate symptoms of dizziness or vertigo.
Keep You In the Game
Countless injuries happen annually to athletes that are not properly conditioned for the impact of sports like running or for the torque of something like a golf swing. Physical therapists understand how the body works in relation to different biomechanical movements and can design an appropriate injury prevention or recovery exercise program to keep you in the game and off the couch.
Learn to Manage Women’s Health Issues
When it comes to women’s health, there can be pretty specific physical concerns, including things like maintaining strength during pregnancy, post-partum recovery, urinary or bowel incontinence, breast cancer recovery, pelvic floor health or pain, and fibromyalgia or lymphedema. Physical therapists will be able to help women learn to cope with these conditions and support other treatment modalities, and teach methods for maintaining health as they go through these life changes.
Looking to Improve Your Health?
Patients choose Synergy Health when looking for physical therapists in Naples because they know they will receive the support they need to find true wellness. Our team of experts allows us to create individualized care plans for every patient, and having such a professional collaboration makes this type of healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you!
