What Is Physical Therapy? Plus 3 Signs You Should Book an Appointment
Are you experiencing pain that you what like to get fixed?
As we age, or get injured, or have surgery, the need for physical therapy increases. You may notice that you can’t extend your arm as you once could, or doing a certain action causes a sharp pain.
These are clear signs that you are in need of physical therapy, and your doctor is likely to recommend it.
Yet, what is physical therapy, and how can you know if it’s right for you?
Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a treatment that helps to ease pain and help you regain your function back, usually after an injury or illness.
The different uses of physical therapy include:
- Relieve pain
- Improve mobility
- Prevent sports injury
- Avoid surgery
- Manage chronic illnesses
- Control bowels or bladder
- Rehab after stroke
Physical therapy is an excellent way to prevent an injury from becoming worse. It can be a helpful aid in many different aspects, helping you avoid surgery or medication.
Now, let’s explore a few signs that you may need to visit a physical therapist.
1. You Have a Repetitive Injury
If you have a job that requires you to sit in the same position and do the same things all day, every day, you may suffer from a repetitive injury. Even standing and moving your body around in the same way can cause a repetitive injury.
Carpal tunnel and tennis elbow are the most common, and they can disrupt your daily life by causing you chronic pain.
A physical therapy aide can show you exercises to help ease your discomfort and demonstrate various ways that you can still perform your tasks without developing these injuries again.
2. You Can No Longer Do Activities That You Enjoy
Perhaps you don’t have a specific injury, but if you cannot participate in activities that you enjoy without feeling pain, you should consider visiting a physical therapy clinic.
General wear and tear on your bones or the development of arthritis should be addressed. A physical therapist can help determine the exact cause of your discomfort so you can begin getting treatment.
3. You Are Experiencing Side Effects From an Operation
Even minor surgeries will affect your body, and if you’ve had a more significant one, the recovery time may require that you spend some time at physical therapy.
This will help keep your muscles and joints flexible as you heal, reducing the amount of scar tissue that forms.
If you feel you’re ready to take the leap with physical therapy, visit Performaxphysicaltherapyandwellness.com.
Visit a Physical Therapist’s Office Today!
Now that you know the answer to “what is physical therapy?†you’ve explored the benefits, and you know some warning signs, you can begin to decide if physical therapy might be for you.
Focus on your body and what it’s telling you. If you feel pain where you know you shouldn’t, consult with your doctor to see if you should consider this treatment plan.
In the meantime, why not browse through more of our articles? We have tons of lifestyle articles just like this one that are waiting for you!