When Should I See A Physical Therapist?
Okay, so you’re probably very familiar with the term “physical therapist”. Maybe there are several Falls Church, VA physical therapy clinics near you. But do you know when it’s a good time to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist? Even more importantly, are you sure you know what physical therapists do? Well, for starters, people who are very active or who suffer from restricted movement should be first in line to see a physical therapist (also known as physiotherapists).
What Do Physical Therapists Do?
PTs are licensed musculoskeletal doctors. Having a Doctorate of Physical Therapy or a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, the work of PTs includes the following:
- Assessing your body and its functionality as a whole
- Evaluate your movement capability
- Developing a personalized exercise plan to improve your mobility
- Providing stretch strategies that targets your specific ailments
- Educate you on ways to increase your health and stay healthy
- Performing wound care
- Providing heat and cold therapy
- Treating you in the emergency room or intensive care unit of a hospital
- Educate you on posture improvement
As you can see physiotherapists focus on your entire body and the pain you are experiencing (e.g., neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain)–not just one piece of the puzzle. Due to their wide range of training, they can treat you if you’re weakened by:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Stroke, and more
However, physiotherapists are versatile. They can treat you if you’ve been injured in an accident or are recovering from urgent or elective surgery. In other words, they can help you with a lot of bodily issues, and they’re far cheaper than expensive surgeons. In fact, many people choose to see a physical therapist and save money than go a more expensive route. Many people seek out physical therapists because they’ve been known to relieve pain and improve health and mobility if their clients follow their advice.
When Should I See A Physical Therapist?
Okay, so you’re all caught up on who physical therapists are and what they can do. Now, it’s time to learn when you should set an appointment to see one, such as the reputable therapists at AmeriWell Clinics. If you’re suffering from what feels like an emergency, you should go to a hospital or call 911 immediately. However, if you have persistent pain or decreasing mobility, it’s time to see a physical therapist. If you’re athletic or planning to become athletic, it’s also a great time to set an appointment with a physical therapist near you.
Seeing a physical therapist allows you to learn helpful stretches and exercises that will reduce the likelihood of injury. Suppose you’d like to join a local Baseball team. Following your PTs regimen before you join can improve your results, such as your speed and swing. Remember, if you have limited mobility, how well you can lift your knees to run or twist your back and extend your arms to swing are negatively impacted.
It’s also a good idea to see a physical therapist if you’re pursuing a personal injury case against someone, and you need proof of injury. A PT can evaluate the severity of your restricted movements and, by outlining how many sessions you’ll need to recover (and at-home equipment you may need to buy for the exercise plan), help provide an estimate of your monetary damages.