People get physical therapy as part of their treatment plan after an injury, or to manage a long-term condition like arthritis. It can also help prevent future problems or improve the quality of life.
PT sessions include at-home exercises, stretches and treatments using heat, cold or electrical currents. The therapist checks your progress throughout the session and makes adjustments as needed. Visit https://www.onpointphysio.com/ to learn more.
PTs work in a lot of different settings, from schools and sports teams to research hospitals and geriatric care facilities. They also travel to do home health visits and work with children in pediatric centers.
During your physical therapy sessions, the therapists will use their knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to determine what’s wrong with you, and they’ll create a plan to fix it. This could include exercises and stretches, massage, or treatments that rely on physical stimuli (like heat, cold, electrical currents or ultrasound). The goal is to get your muscles moving, reduce pain, and help you strengthen your body.
Most therapists believe in the concept that “movement is medicine,” so they’re likely to prescribe therapeutic exercise rather than relying on medications to treat your pain or injury. They’ll also teach you how to manage your condition and give you tips on preventing future injuries or problems.
A therapist can do a lot of different things to help you, and they’ll also try to make your experience comfortable. They’ll often take the time to listen and ask you questions, and they’ll always respect your decisions. They’ll also encourage you and push you, but they won’t let you do anything that you can’t handle.
You’ll usually meet with the same therapist for your entire course of treatment, but you might have different therapists in larger offices. Don’t worry if this happens, because they should all have the same understanding of your medical history and treatment goals.
After your physical therapist gets you better, they’ll set you up with an ongoing plan to keep you on track. They’ll follow up with you regularly to see how you’re doing, and they’ll adjust your treatment as needed. They’ll even show you how to do certain exercises at home, so you can keep up your progress in between visits.
It’s worth noting that a physical therapist can work pretty much anywhere, as long as they have a license and insurance. There are programs that help you become licensed in other countries, and some PTs have taken their skills to remote places like Alaska!
It Helps You Feel Better
Some people work with physical therapists for short periods of time while recovering from injury or surgery, while others seek treatment to help manage long-term pain and chronic health conditions. No matter your situation, physical therapy offers numerous health benefits that can improve overall quality of life.
When you first start physical therapy, your therapist will assess how well you move and where the pain is coming from. They will use various tests to measure strength and range of motion, either for the whole body or for the muscles and joints that are causing you problems. After that, they will prescribe a plan of movement exercises and stretches, depending on your specific condition. They might also use a hands-on technique called manual therapy, which includes passive stretching and joint mobilization. In addition, they may also recommend modalities like ultrasound, electrical stimulation and dry needling (a form of acupuncture).
The exercises your therapist gives you can help relieve the pain in many ways, including by helping your body increase serotonin, the feel-good chemical in your brain. This can help you cope with the stress of living with an illness or injury, as well as sleep better at night and reduce your anxiety levels.
Moreover, a great therapist can teach you about your condition and how to prevent it in the future. This can empower you to take a more active role in your recovery and improve your understanding of how your body works. This can also help you avoid the need for more serious treatments in the future, such as invasive surgeries.
When you meet with your therapist, they will also likely ask about your diet, lifestyle and other factors that could be contributing to your symptoms. This helps them develop a more holistic treatment approach that will be more effective in the long run. This is a critical part of the process, and it’s important to be honest with your therapist so that they can provide you with the best care. They can also give you tips on how to improve your daily habits so that you can manage your pain and prevent future injuries.
It Helps You Move Better
Whether you’re in pain from an injury or just want to prevent future problems, physical therapy can help. The key is to find a physical therapist who specializes in your condition. Generally, health insurance providers (including Medicare) will cover at least part of your treatment.
During the first appointment, your physical therapist will take a full medical history and perform a thorough examination. This will include tests to measure your strength, range of motion, balance, flexibility and posture. Your therapist will also use the information gathered to devise an effective plan of treatment. Depending on your situation, this may include cold therapy, hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation or “dry needling” a technique that uses low-voltage needles to ease pain.
Your therapist will guide you through exercise and stretching that will gradually stretch or strengthen the injured area. While the process may cause some discomfort, your therapist will help you push through it to get the most out of your therapy. Ultimately, this approach will lead to better long-term results. Remember, if the pain is too much, talk to your therapist right away and don’t try to go beyond your limits.
The goal of physical therapy is to help you regain the ability to move without pain, which will allow you to enjoy your life again. In many cases, PT can help you avoid surgery and rely on prescription or over-the-counter medications for pain relief. This can help you avoid side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, constipation or sleep disturbances.
PT can also help you improve your overall well-being, preventing future injuries by building muscle tone and helping to manage your pain. It can even reduce the risk of falls, which is a common cause of serious injury for people over the age of 60. By improving balance and posture, strengthening muscles and reducing the likelihood of injuries from impact or falls, you can keep living life to its fullest.
It Helps You Avoid Injuries
When you understand how to prevent injuries, it allows you to participate in activities without worrying about a setback. It also helps you feel confident that your body can handle the physical demands of your favorite activities and sports – which leads to a happier, more vibrant life.
Physical therapists are experts in recognizing early signs of overuse and stress on your body. They are trained to intervene at the first sign of trouble, which is why they can help you stay injury-free and healthy.
Whether you’re an athlete or just looking to maintain good posture and balance, your physical therapist will work with you to improve your form and technique to avoid injuries. Especially in athletes, poor body mechanics and a lack of strength can lead to overuse or sport-specific injuries.
Your therapist will teach you exercises and techniques to strengthen specific muscles and ligaments that are prone to weakness or imbalance. By improving these weak muscles, your joints and other areas are exposed to less stress, which reduces the risk of injury.
They’ll also look for tightness in muscles and other soft tissues that can lead to overuse or injury. They’ll use tools like massage, ultrasound therapy and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to loosen these areas.
In addition to strengthening, your PT will work with you on strategies to avoid injuries by staying well hydrated and eating a nutritious diet that fuels your body properly. Lastly, they’ll teach you to listen to your body and take breaks when needed.
Many of the injuries that physical therapists treat are preventable. By following their advice on proper body mechanics, strength training, hydration and rest, you’ll be able to protect your body from injury and enjoy the things you love.
