6 Benefits of Physical Therapy
You may be able to benefit from physical therapy if you have problems with mobility or lack of motor function due to an illness or injury. Physical therapy involves exercises and other non-surgical modalities designed to reduce pain and improve range of motion, balance, flexibility, and endurance. It can be an important part of rehabilitation after surgery or it can be part of a conservative treatment plan to avoid surgery altogether. Physical therapy offers many potential benefits.
1. You Can Receive Physical Therapy Where It Is Most Convenient
Physical therapists practice everywhere, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, fitness facilities, and nursing homes. It may even be possible for a physical therapist to come to your home and work with you there. In many cases, you can choose where to receive your physical therapy.
2. You Are an Active Participant in Your Care
Physical therapy requires cooperation between you and your therapist. Your therapist will assess your condition, teach you exercises to do, and set goals and tasks for you. Your improvement depends on carrying out your therapist’s instructions. This empowers you to take an active role and track your own progress.
3. You Can Manage Pain Without Opioids
Opioid pain medications are appropriate in certain situations. However, they do nothing to help the underlying cause of the pain and they have the potential for overdose and addiction. It is best to avoid taking prescription opioids if possible, and physical therapy is a much safer method of managing pain. Negative side effects from physical therapy are rare, mild, and temporary, and the long-term effects are almost always positive.
4. You May Be Able To Avoid Surgery
Doctors often recommend a course of conservative treatment, including physical therapy, before performing surgery. For some conditions, such as spinal stenosis, rotator cuff tears, and knee osteoarthritis, physical therapy can be as effective at resolving symptoms as surgery. Even if you do eventually need to have an operation, physical therapy can help you prepare for it and recover afterward.
5. You Receive a Personalized Treatment Plan
Because no two patients are in exactly the same situation, no two physical therapy treatment plans are identical. Your physical therapist will develop strategies for you based on your specific challenges and needs.
6. You Can Increase Motion and Physical Activity
Physical therapy increases your physical activity. You may continue the exercises even after your symptoms resolve. Regular activity may prevent chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, and can help improve mental and social health as well. Physical therapy provided by an ankle sprain doctor, like one from Austin Physical Therapy, helps you to maximize your range of motion and restore function.
Contact our office for an appointment to see how physical therapy may benefit you.