Physical therapy is one of the best natural weapons one can use to recover from almost any ailment. It is important to differentiate between physical therapy and the normal massage. The advantages of physical therapy far outweigh those of any other regular massage. It is a science that when properly done can actually cure you.

A customized physical therapy from a professional can greatly assist individuals return to their normal lives and engage in activities that improves their health. Most primary care doctors normally refer patients to physical therapists (shortened as PTs) as a conservative approach to first solving a problem. PTs help a great deal by working with your doctors or nurses to guide their treatments so that you can recover quickly.

The main benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be done to people of all ages be it at a medical facility or even at home. Below are ways Physical therapy can have immense health benefits to you:

1. It helps reduce or totally eliminate pain

Therapeutic exercises and manual techniques of therapy such as joint and soft tissue mobilization can greatly restore your muscle or joint function and eliminate pain.

2. It can rule out the possibility of undergoing surgery

You can totally avoid surgery if physical therapy can help you heal from an injury or eliminate pain. In case you are still required to undergo surgery, pre-surgery physical therapy can help you to be strong and recover faster afterwards. You will greatly reduce your healthcare costs if physical therapy helps you avoid surgery.

3. It maximizes your movement

Engaging the services of a professional PT can help you go back to your pain-free movement you initially enjoyed. This allows you to live a quality life, earn a living and be independent. Exercises focusing on stretching and strengthening the joints and muscles can improve your mobility. PTs can fit you with a crutch or any other customized assistive device to help you practice walking on your own without fully depending on your care givers.

4. Helps you recover from a stroke

After an attack of stroke, it is easy to lose some degree of mobility. Physical therapy helps a great deal to strengthen the weakened muscles and joints to improve movement and stability. This assists stroke patients to be independent and move around thus reducing the burden of care for tasks such as bathing, dressing and toileting.

5. Recover from a sports injury

Physical therapists are trained to understand how different sports can increase your probability of getting injured. One of such injuries is the stress fracture normally experienced by long distance runners. PTs can design appropriate therapeutic exercises for athletes to prepare them for tournaments or recover after a strenuous competition.

6. Manage medical conditions such as diabetes and vascular conditions

Therapeutic exercises can effectively help to manage blood sugar for diabetic patients. Most diabetic patients complain of sensation in their feet. Physical therapy can assist with foot care to prevent further complications that might lead to immobility.

7. Therapy helps to manage lung and heart disease

While you may have undergone cardiac rehabilitation after suffering a heart attack, you may require some physical therapy if your mobility is affected. For patients having pulmonary problems, physical therapy can help restore their good quality of life through strengthening, conditioning and breathing routines. These exercises also help in clearing fluids from the lungs thus restoring normal breathing.

8. Manage problems related with aging

As people get older, they develop joint diseases such as arthritis and even osteoporosis. Physical therapy will help such individuals to manage arthritic and osteoporotic issues well without being heavily dependent on their care givers. Patients who undergo a joint replacement surgery also require physical therapy to recover quickly.

9. Manage health issues faced by women

Women normally face health challenges that come about due to pregnancy, post-partum care among others. Physical therapists can design specific exercises for pregnant mothers for them to deliver safely and also get back in good shape after delivery. PT can also help provide specialized treatment for conditions such as;

• Lymphedema
• Constipation
• Bowel incontinence
• Urinary incontinence
• Breast cancer

10. It helps to improve stability and prevents falls

Before beginning a physical therapy session, it is advisable to be screened to rule out fall risk. If you are at a risk of getting falls, therapists will customize exercises to improve your coordination. PTs also engage you in exercises that carefully challenge your balance as a way to model real life situations. If the balance problem is caused by a fault in your vestibular system, therapists can carry out particular maneuvers that will restore your vestibular system to its normalcy. This will in turn alleviate symptoms of vertigo and dizziness.

In conclusion;

Before taking that medication or undergoing a surgery, ask your doctor if there’s a less intrusive option like physical therapy that can help solve your health problems. Therapeutic exercises require patience and commitment in order to realize its full benefits.

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