How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapy is a treatment that helps people with injuries or disabilities. The treatment may also be beneficial for patients who have recently undergone surgery or are experiencing pain. However, there is no standard treatment plan. That’s why the therapists at Movement 101 physio evaluate each situation and develop an individualized treatment plan to restore function, prevent disability, and ease pain caused by movement.
Manage chronic pain
Physical therapy can help reduce or eliminate pain. It does this by strengthening the muscles around the area that is hurting. Physical therapists also teach patients how to use their bodies to reduce stress on painful areas. Doing so can ease pain and make everyday tasks more manageable.
Physical therapy can also help reduce or eliminate pain by addressing the root cause of the problem. For example, if you have neck pain, your therapist may work on correcting your posture. This helps relieve pain in the neck and in other places, such as the shoulders and back.
Improve mobility
Physical therapy can also help patients improve their mobility. The therapists will work on flexibility and balance, which are important factors in being mobile. In fact, athletes often see Sydney sports physiotherapists to help recover mobility and movement after a sporting injury. They may have you do exercises that require you to move your arms or legs in different ways so that they can identify where there is a problem with the movement. Then they develop specific goals to help you improve your range of motion.
Once the goals are met, they may have you perform activities that require increased movement to test how far you can go and whether there is any pain. This gives them a better idea of how much more work needs to be done to reach their functional goal for mobility improvement.
Avoid surgery
In some cases, physical therapy can help you avoid surgery. For example, if you have a rotator cuff tear, your therapist may be able to correct the problem without surgery. This is done by strengthening and stretching the muscles around the shoulder joint.
If there is already damage that requires surgery, physical therapy can still help prepare you for surgery and help you recover from it. For example, after a total knee replacement surgery, physical therapists can work on restoring mobility and strength to improve your chances of walking again without a limp. They may also teach you some exercises that will strengthen the muscles in your leg so that they do not atrophy while you are recovering from surgery.
Get better after a stroke
If you have had a stroke, physical therapy can help you recover. The therapists will work on improving your mobility and strength. They may also teach you some exercises that will improve your balance and coordination. This type of therapy has been effective in helping people regain their independence after a stroke.
Physical therapy is an important part of the rehabilitation process after a stroke. It can help you improve your quality of life and regain some abilities that you have lost. If you have difficulty walking or experiencing pain, speak to your doctor about whether physical therapy would be a good option.
Control diabetes and vascular disease
Physical therapy can also help manage diabetes and vascular conditions. For example, physical therapists can teach patients how to exercise to improve blood sugar control properly. They can also improve balance and coordination, which are important factors in managing these conditions.
If you have a vascular condition, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), your therapist may prescribe exercises that are designed to improve blood flow through the legs. This can help prevent you from having any serious health problems resulting from reduced circulation in your lower body.
Physical therapists can also work with patients who have diabetes by teaching them some exercises they can do while monitoring their glucose levels so that they stay within a healthy range. They may also recommend certain modifications to your diet in order to help control blood sugar levels.
Manage age-related issues
As we age, our bodies change, and we may experience issues such as poor balance, reduced mobility, and pain. Physical therapy can help manage these changes by working on improving balance and coordination, strength and flexibility, and mobility. This type of therapy can help seniors stay active and independent for longer.
If you are experiencing any age-related issues, speak to your doctor about whether physical therapy would be a good option for you. Physical therapists can help you manage these changes and improve your quality of life.