Physical therapy is important to people of all ages particularly those with illnesses, injuries or medical conditions which limit their normal ability to function or move. Customised physical therapy programs can aid people get back to the past level of functioning and foster lifestyle changes key to preventing future injury while improving their overall health and well-being. Most primary care doctors usually refer patients to physical therapy during the onset of a problem, because it is revered by many as a conservative approach to dealing with problems. In case you may not be conversant with physical therapy and its importance, below are some reasons why physical therapy is beneficial.
Physical therapy is a great way to reduce or eliminate pain. Through Treatments such as electrical stimulation, taping and ultrasound, manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises like joint and soft tissue mobilisation, muscle and joint functionality can be restored to significantly reduce pain.
Physical therapy is a very effective way of avoiding surgery. If your pain gets completely eliminated or injury completely healed through physical therapy, then surgery may not be necessary at all. Even during instances where surgery is necessary, a patient may reap the benefits of pre-surgery physical therapy. People that go into surgery stronger often recover much faster afterwards.
Physical therapy is important in improving mobility. Regardless of your age, if you experience trouble standing, moving or working, physical therapy can be of great assistance. Through stretching and strengthening exercises, the ability to move gets restored. Physical therapists can appropriately fit patients with assistive devices such as crutches or canes or a system for orthotic prescription. Through a customised individual care plan, any activity important to a patient’s life can be adapted and practiced to maximise performance and safety.
Through physical therapy sports related injuries can be recovered from or greatly prevented. Physical therapists are aware of how various sports can expose athletes to specific kinds of injuries. Physical therapists can create recovery or prevention exercise programs suited to the needs of individual athletes to ensure they safely return to their respective sports.
After suffering a stroke, most people often lose some functionality and ability to move. Weakened body parts can be strengthened while improving gait and balance through physical therapy. Physical therapists are also able to improve the ability of stroke patients to transfer to ensure they are more independent in their homes, introduce the huge burden of care for daily activities such as toileting, dressing and bathing.
Aged people especially have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, arthritis or requiring a joint replacement. Physical therapists can aid patients to conservatively manage conditions like osteoporosis or arthritis and recover from joint replacement.