Physical therapy is an effective way to get relief from pain and improve your overall well-being. It’s especially useful for people who have chronic pain.
Physical therapists use manual therapies like soft tissue massage, ultrasound and electric stimulation to help reduce pain and restore joint and muscle function. These techniques also help prevent pain from coming back.
Improved Mobility
Whether you’ve had an injury or are recovering from a major surgery, physical therapy can help you increase your mobility. A therapist can use manual techniques, exercises, modalities and patient education to improve your mobility and prevent future injuries.
PTs can also help you maintain your mobility after treatment by teaching you how to perform simple self-care activities and exercises. These can help you stay mobile and reduce pain in the long term.
Increasing mobility can help you avoid surgery and prescription drugs, maximize your strength and function, and improve your quality of life. For example, physical therapy can help you get in and out of your car or shower safely and independently. It can also assist you with daily activities, such as dressing and cooking.
Reduced Pain
Physical therapists can help reduce pain by targeting the area of your body that is causing you to feel pain. This can be accomplished through targeted stretches and exercises or even a combination of modalities that are unique to you.
Your PT will begin with an evaluation to identify the source of your pain. Your PT will then design a personalized treatment plan for you.
Physical therapy, such as that offered by La Clinica Physical Therapy can improve well-being by reducing pain and how to relieve muscle soreness through targeted exercises, stretches and techniques tailored to your individual needs.
They will use different types of techniques to help reduce your pain, including heat and cold, ultrasound therapy and dry needling. The therapist may also use kinesiology tape to strengthen your joints and muscles.
A recent study reveals that early exposure to physical therapy is associated with lower odds of opioid prescriptions. This could lead to lower costs for patients and reduce reliance on opioids, which carry their own risks.
Increased Strength
Physical therapy can increase your strength and improve your overall well-being. This can help you avoid re-injury, maintain healthy bones and joints, and prevent conditions like osteoporosis from worsening.
Your therapist will prescribe exercises for you to do at home to build muscle and enhance your strength. These may include isometric exercises, resistance training, stretching, and agility training.
A therapist can also recommend pain relief exercises to target the places where you are hurting, which can reduce pain and make it easier for you to move your body.
Often, these exercises can even be combined with low-impact aerobic workouts to rev your heart rate while taking it easy on your joints. Your therapist can also work with you on improving your balance, coordination, and overall fitness.
Better Sleep
Physical Therapy can help you get better sleep, a very important aspect of being healthy. A lack of sleep can cause a variety of negative effects including increased stress, decreased concentration, and difficulty remembering.
A good therapist will be able to create a treatment plan that is personalized to your specific needs and goals. They will also teach you some simple changes that can be made throughout the day to help you improve your sleep.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. This condition is linked to a wide range of illnesses and disorders, including injuries, mental health issues, and increased health care costs.
Increase Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability for joints (where two or more bones meet) to move through their full and healthy range of motion.
If you’re not flexible, it can make your everyday life more difficult and increase your risk of injury. This is especially true for older adults, as flexibility naturally declines over time.
A physical therapist can provide you with the guidance and instruction you need to improve your flexibility. They will work with you to perform specific stretches that will help you achieve maximum flexibility and range of motion.
The flexibility of your muscles and joints is also a factor in your overall health. If you have tight muscles, they can pull on surrounding tissues and reduce mobility in your joints.
This can cause a variety of problems including pain, muscle weakness and overuse injuries. Keeping your muscles flexible can prevent these issues and keep you active.
Stay Active
Keeping active is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But it can be difficult to get started, especially if you’re suffering from chronic pain.
Physical therapy can help you stay active by addressing your individual needs. A therapist can customize a treatment plan to improve mobility, strengthen muscles, reduce or remove pain, prevent injuries and address other health issues.
Studies show that people who are physically active have lower levels of depression and have a longer lifespan. A more active lifestyle is also linked to a lower risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
