When you think about physical therapy, you might envision someone who is recovering from an injury suffered in a car accident or surgery, but there are many other reasons to start looking into Mountain Top Physical Therapy or to make an appointment with an experienced physical therapist in your area. You’ll find them working in various facilities across the country, with nearly a quarter-million working in the U.S. today.
These are just a few of the circumstances in which you should consider looking into physical therapy.
You Want to Avoid Surgery
For many people suffering from a condition where surgery may be a consideration or a necessity, the thought can be overwhelming due to everything from the cost to the inconveniences, especially when it requires an extended recovery period. But early intervention from a physical therapist is often a great alternative that can eliminate the need for surgery. While not every surgery can be avoided through physical therapy, it can be a highly effective option for the long-term management of back pain, for example.Using a combination of high-tech equipment and developed skills can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, stretch the muscles and tendons, and improve mobility.
Physical therapists are also trained to treat minor injuries like sprains through non-surgical means.
You Want to Help an Elderly Loved One
If you have an elderly parent or another loved one who has a condition that’s affecting their mobility or other physical functions like osteoporosis, arthritis, or Alzheimer’s disease, physical therapy can be a great option. It can improve their overall health too and even allow them to retain independence. There are exercises that can be prescribed to improve balance, strength and coordination which lessens the chance of falls, a common occurrence in those who are older. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the most common injury among those 65 and older and the leading cause for both non-fatal and fatal injuries.
You Want to Improve Your Athletic Performance
Want to run a marathon, or beat or your best time? Or maybe you’re looking to improve your game, whether it’s kicking a field goal, stealing bases, or even playing golf? Golfers can benefit from physical therapy by achieving proper body movement and biomechanics, eliminate pain from an existing injury, or improve the consistency of their golf swing. Whatever it is, physical therapy is a great way to boost athletic performance by working on strength, balance, flexibility, and more. Therapists often use a whole-body approach while providing guidance for maximum efficiency no matter what the sport.
You’re Diabetic
If you have diabetes, physical therapy can be an important part of the plan to manage it. Why it might not be something you’ve considered, regular exercise is a great way to control blood sugar. If you haven’t been very active throughout much of your life, a physical therapist can design an appropriate exercise program along with education that can help keep blood sugar levels balanced, improve functioning, relieve pain, and more.
You’ve Had a Stroke
Physical therapy can be one of the best ways to improve movement and functioning following a stroke. It can help strengthen weakened areas and recover equilibrium. For advanced stroke patients, a physical therapist can help improve independence, allowing one to perform day-to-day tasks like bathing and dressing.
