Physical therapy is a form of treatment that helps people regain function and manage pain after an injury or illness. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments, such as medications and surgery. In addition to helping patients heal from physical injuries, therapists also work closely with neurologists and rheumatologists to treat neuromuscular ailments, such as stroke-related disabilities or multiple sclerosis. Here are four benefits of physical therapy you should know.
1. Helping Patients Recover From Injury
Physical therapists are good at helping patients recover from injuries. If you're recovering from surgery, physical therapy can help improve your ability to move around and perform daily tasks. Likewise, if you've recently suffered an injury or illness that affects your mobility, physical therapy can help you regain strength in affected areas.
2. Strengthening Muscles
If you suffer from chronic muscular issues, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or osteoarthritis of the knees, then you need a therapist who will teach you how to do exercises that strengthen muscles in weakened areas. A therapist program also includes a variety of other strength-building exercises, including the arm and legs workout.
3. Reducing Chronic Pain
If you suffer from chronic pain, physical therapy can be a great way to learn how to live with the pain. A professional therapist may design a program that will teach you about activity management techniques that are designed to help cope with chronic pain. This type of therapy is all about determining your pain triggers and formulating strategies for managing these triggers. For example, if you're in constant back pain due to an injury, a therapist will teach you trigger point release techniques that relieve muscle spasms and tension related to your injury. You may even be able to reduce your intake of medications such as anti-inflammatories.
4. Improving the Overall Quality of Life for a Person Who is Incapacitated
Physical therapy has been proven to improve the overall quality of life for people who are completely incapacitated due to chronic medical conditions. Whether your disability stems from arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, age-related loss in mobility, or another neuromuscular condition, physical therapy can improve your ability to move around and perform daily tasks. For patients whose mobility is greatly improved through physical therapy, it's also possible for them to live independently at home - which is something that would not be possible without an aggressive program of physical rehabilitation.
If you have any physical issue that requires physical rehabilitation, don't hesitate to contact a therapist near you.
For more information on physical therapy, contact a company like Attentive Home Health.