Today, we’ll be discussing physical therapy as a whole and breaking down what it is, how it benefits people, and why it’s important. Elements of the practice can be traced back to ancient times, when the Greek physician Hippocrates began using massage and manual therapy techniques to treat his patients. Physical therapy as we know it today was developed as a profession in the early 1900s, as therapists helped polio patients recover, as well as assist soldiers returning from the first World War. By the 1950s and 60s, it began to become a more mainstream treatment. If you are interested in learning more about physical therapy and its importance, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.
Understanding the Fundamentals: What is Physical Therapy and How it Works
Also known as physiotherapy, physical therapy or PT is the treatment of injury, disease, or deformity by physical methods such as exercise or massage therapy. It is one of the allied health professionals, performed by physical therapists who aim to promote, maintain, or restore health through physical activity. A physical therapist is a licensed medical professional and can be a specialist in a variety of areas, including orthopedics, musculoskeletal, sports medicine, pediatrics, and more. Your primary care doctor may suggest physical therapy as treatment if you’ve been injured or have an illness that makes it difficult to perform daily tasks. Physical therapy is a natural and non-invasive treatment for many conditions, and is a great alternative to pain medication or surgery. Below are circumstances where it may be beneficial:
- Relieving pain
- Preventing surgery
- Improving balance to prevent falls
- Recovery from a sports-related injury
- Recovery after giving birth
- Managing a chronic illness, such as arthritis
- Recovery after a stroke
- Learning to use assistive devices, such as canes or walkers
In most cases, you can visit a physical therapist without a referral, but sometimes your doctor may prescribe physical therapy as treatment. While it cannot take the place of your primary care physicians, but a therapist can work with your doctors to facilitate the best treatment plan for you.
The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Rehabilitation and Wellness
As mentioned above, physical therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of issues, from recovery after an injury or stroke to managing a chronic illness, and everything in between. The main focus is to improve or restore mobility, strength, range of motion, movement, overall functioning, and quality of life. Additionally, physical therapy aims to decrease pain and prevent injuries or illnesses from worsening. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits offered.
Decreases pain
One of the main goals of physical therapy is to decrease pain. Some types of pain can benefit from physical therapy and exercise, such as chronic pain, which lasts more than 3 months and is typically caused by an injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates for pain management without the use of opioids, recommending physical therapy as an alternative. One of the reasons why it is so great for decreasing pain is because it aims to stop pain over time and for the long term, rather than masking the pain or making it go away temporarily. To decrease acute and chronic pain, a therapist may recommend stretching, exercises, cold and heat therapy, or massage.
Provides support for neurological conditions
For people with neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other issues related to the spinal cord, physical therapy can be extremely beneficial. Many times with these conditions, patients experience weakness, lack of coordination, fatigue, and can be at an increased risk for falling. The good news is that physical therapy can help improve all of these things! Physical therapy helps people improve movement, so that they can more easily do the things they want to do, including everyday tasks and activities. A physical therapist works directly with the patient to create a treatment plan with goals tailored to their unique situation. Depending on the person’s goals, a physical therapist can help a person practice with balance and strengthening, among other things. Exercises and stretches facilitated by a physical therapist can help retrain the muscles and brain to work together, thus improving symptoms associated with neurological conditions.
Manages age-related problems
Sometimes, painful issues do not arise from injury, but rather they come with age. As we get older, our bodies change, and this makes us more likely to develop painful conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis. A physical therapist can create a custom treatment plan that will help strengthen your bones over weeks and months, helping manage and reduce pain associated with age-related issues. Regular exercise is a key part of keeping your bones strong and healthy. A 2019 review found that people with moderate to high risk of a fracture or with functional limitations could benefit from seeing a physical therapist.
As you can see, people from all ages and walks of life can benefit from seeing a physical therapist! It can be beneficial for a variety of conditions, including arthritis, sports-related injuries, and more. We hope you found this article informative, and we thank you for reading. If you have further questions, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our knowledgeable staff would be happy to assist you! Here at Rise Above Physical Therapy, we use our skills and tools to promote healing and decrease pain as well as restore functional mobility. Schedule a free consultation with us today!