Do you know someone who is in or has been thru Physical Therapy? Chances are the answer is yes to this question for a lot of people. This YES is an attestation to the fact we all know someone who has experienced shoulder, knee, elbow, hip, or neck pain.
Physical Therapy is a branch of rehabilitative care that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities. Individuals that can benefit from PT can range from infants to adults and the conditions they can suffer from yields a spectrum from musculoskeletal birth defects to post-stroke and concussion patients.
There are more than 300, 000 total hip replacements performed each year in the United States according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. IF you thought that was high, approx. 700,000 knee replacements performed annually in the United States with projections to increase to 3.48 million by 2030. Those numbers indicate a lot of individuals who will be in need of rehabilitation that can help propel them forward in their recovery.
Would you be able to devote 6-8 wks out of your life if it would help you get back to the things you love to do most?
Does Physical Therapy Hurt?
Physical therapy should not hurt, however this often gets confused with the soreness that may present itself when muscles are being strengthened that have never been activated before. When you have strong muscles and ligaments you may be able to prevent a lot of injuries due to being more stable. Think about it like a rubber band eventually if you continue to stretch it the elasticity thins and then POP! Same concept when you think about your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Benefits of Physical Therapy:
- Pain management with reduced need for opiods
- Avoiding surgery
- Improved mobility
- Recovery from injury or trauma
- Recovery from stroke or paralysis
- Fall prevention
- Improved balance
- Management of age-related medical problems
6 Types of Physical Therapy:
- Orthopedic Physical Therapy – treats musculoskeletal injuries, involving the muscles, bones, ligaments, fascias, and tendons. It is suitable for medical conditions such as fractures, sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, chronic medical problems, and rehabilitation or recovery from orthopedic surgery. Treatments may include joint mobilization, manual therapy, strength training, mobility training, and other modalities
- Geriatric Physical Therapy – treatment specifically specialized to focus on conditions that can affect older adults. These conditions can include arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, incontinence, etc.
- Vestibular Rehabilitation – specialized form of therapy by a specialty-trained therapist to help alleviate both primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It is an exercise based program primary designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, gaze instability, and/or imbalance and falls.
- Neurological Physical Therapy – specialized physical therapist who evaluates and treats individuals with movement problems due to disease or injury of the nervous system.
- Pediatric Physical Therapy – therapy for babies, toddlers, childer, teenagers, and young adults who are affected with conditions related to genetic, neurological, and orthopedic disorders
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Therapy – therapy that helps individuals who have experienced cardiac events or diagnosed with lung disease or disorders.
Physical therapy can help improve and strengthen the quality of life in individuals that have experienced unfortunate circumstances in regards to their health. Having an individual whose sole passion is restoring YOU back to YOU by providing knowledge, education, and support is a game changer for improved quality of life.
So to answer the question, Why Physical Therapy? Because without it we all would be living in a revolving door of injury and pain with poor quality of life.
ANPPT Keller