Can Everyone Benefit from Physical Therapy?

What is physical therapy?

The main goals of physical therapy (PT) are to provide pain management, improve mobility, maximize functionality, implement injury recovery, and prevent future damage. A physical therapist evaluates the person and condition to treat illnesses and injuries related to the musculoskeletal (bones and muscles), neurological (brain), cardiopulmonary (heart and lungs) and integumentary (skin) systems.

Physical therapy, also referred to as physiotherapy, is often used as a standard treatment for chronic pain or pain related to an injury. However, many health conditions respond well to physical therapy, including back pain, headaches, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.

Who can benefit from physical therapy?

Almost everyone can benefit from physical therapy. This is especially true for those with pain conditions. The reasons for physical therapy are countless. Physical therapy can reduce pain, improve function, and shorten the recovery time following surgery or injury. Symptoms of certain conditions, injuries, and chronic health issues can be reduced by physical therapy. It can also decrease swelling and strengthen muscles.

What does physical therapy help with?

Physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Specific conditions that may benefit from visiting a physical therapist include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Arthritis
• Low back pain
• Neurological conditions, such as a stroke, muscular sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease
• Spinal cord injury
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Urinary incontinence
• Cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Surgery recovery

Additional benefits of physical therapy

Physical therapy also has benefits that are not limited to a particular injury or condition. For example, it can help with improving balance, preventing falls, increasing flexibility and movement patterns, and reducing the risk of future injuries. It can help with learning proper posture to prevent neck or back pain. Physical therapists can also teach proper workout techniques, which can both prevent injury and contribute to overall health and wellbeing.

Conclusion

Physical therapy is beneficial to a variety of individuals. The treatments are highly personalized and can be tailored towards needs, limitations and health. The range of treatment varies from someone with severely limited mobility to an athlete. It is also beneficial for any age group. Pediatric physical therapy can help treat developmental delays, muscle diseases, or childhood injuries. For older adults, physical therapy can help with fall prevention and management of age-related medical problems.

Additional source: Medical News Today