LAKESIDE SPORTS CHIRO CORNELIUS NC | 10 SIGNS YOU NEED TO SEE A PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Is your neck or back constantly hurting? Do you have trouble sleeping at night because of joint pain? If so, you may need to see a physical therapist. Contrary to popular belief, physical therapists are not just for injured athletes—they can help people of all ages and activity levels recover from a wide variety of injuries and conditions. Here are ten signs you should make an appointment with a physical therapist.
1. YOU’RE IN CONSTANT PAIN
If you’re living with chronic pain, physical therapy may be able to help. A physical therapist will work with you to develop a treatment plan to help lessen your pain and improve your quality of life.
There are many different types of physical therapy, so it’s important to find a therapist who is experienced in treating chronic pain. Your doctor can help you find a physical therapist in your area.
Your physical therapist will likely start by doing a thorough evaluation. This will include taking a medical history and doing a physical examination. They will also ask you about your pain, how it affects your daily life, and what you hope to achieve with physical therapy.
2. YOU’VE RECENTLY BEEN INJURED
Whether you’ve strained a muscle or suffered a more severe injury, physical therapy can help you heal and get back to your normal activities. A physical therapist will create a customized treatment plan to address your specific needs.
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy if you’re dealing with pain, have suffered an injury, or are recovering from surgery. Physical therapy can also help if you have a chronic condition such as arthritis or osteoporosis.
Benefits of physical therapy include:
-Reduced pain
-Improved mobility
-Increased strength
-Greater independence
If you’re considering physical therapy, ask your doctor for a referral to a licensed therapist. You can also search for a therapist near you on the American Physical Therapy Association’s website. Once you’ve found a few therapists, schedule a consultation to start your recovery journey.
3. YOU HAVE A CHRONIC CONDITION
If you have a chronic condition such as arthritis, diabetes, or fibromyalgia, physical therapy can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. A physical therapist will work with you to develop an exercise and activity plan that can help you better manage your condition. The therapist can also help you learn how to use assistive devices, such as canes or walkers if needed.
If you have a chronic condition, staying as active as possible is important. Exercise can help you maintain your strength and flexibility and can also help to improve your overall well-being. Physical therapy can help you develop an exercise program that is right for you and your condition.
4. YOU’RE RECOVERING FROM SURGERY
Physical therapy can help you recover from surgery by helping you regain strength and range of motion. A physical therapist will create a customized rehabilitation program that includes exercises and other activities to help you recover from surgery and prevent future injuries.
Your physical therapist may also use modalities such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound to help reduce pain and swelling. They will also teach you how to properly use any assistive devices you may need, such as canes or walkers.
5. YOU WANT TO PREVENT INJURIES
If you’re looking to avoid injuries, a physical therapist can help. They can perform a movement analysis to identify areas of weakness or imbalance and then create a customized exercise program to help you prevent injuries.
Additionally, they can guide how to warm up properly and cool down before and after physical activity and advise you on the best footwear and equipment to use to minimize your risk of injury. Regular visits to a physical therapist can help keep you safe and active for years to come.
6. YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE
If you’re an athlete looking to improve your performance, physical therapy can help. A physical therapist can assess your strength, flexibility, and range of motion and then develop a training program to help you maximize your performance while minimizing your risk of injury.
If you’re a weekend warrior who wants to stay active and avoid injuries, physical therapy can help you, too. A physical therapist can assess your current activity level and help you find ways to increase your activity without risking injury safely. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a casual exerciser, physical therapy can help you reach your fitness goals.
7. YOU HAVE BALANCE PROBLEMS
If you have trouble maintaining your balance, a physical therapist can help. They will assess your risk of falling and create a customized treatment plan that includes exercises and other activities to improve your balance and reduce your risk of losing.
8. YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MOBILITY
If you have difficulty moving around, whether it’s due to pain or weakness, physical therapy can help. A physical therapist will work with you to develop an exercise and activity plan that can help improve your mobility and reduce your pain.
If you have difficulty moving around, whether it’s due to pain or weakness, physical therapy can help. A physical therapist will work with you to develop an exercise and activity plan that can help improve your mobility and reduce your pain. Physical therapy aims to help you improve your strength and flexibility to move more efficiently and with less pain.
Physical therapy can help you if you have any of the following conditions:
Arthritis
Back pain
Bone fractures
Joint replacement surgery
Muscle strains or sprains
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis
Sports injuries
Work-related injuries
Physical therapy can help you improve your mobility and reduce pain if you have any of these conditions. A physical therapist will develop an exercise and activity plan tailored to your individual needs.
9. YOU’RE DEALING WITH STRESS INCONTINENCE
You may be dealing with stress incontinence if you leak urine when you cough, laugh or sneeze. This is a common problem, especially for women, but it can be treated with physical therapy. A physical therapist will work with you to perform exercises and other activities designed to strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and prevent incontinence. These exercises may include kegel exercises, which involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that control urine flow.
The physical therapist may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine or losing weight, to help reduce stress incontinence. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the problem. If you think you may be dealing with stress incontinence, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist to find out what treatment options are available.
Stress incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence. It occurs when the muscles that support the bladder are weak or when there is damage to the nerves that control these muscles. This can cause urine leakage when there is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure
10. YOU HAVE JAW PAIN
If you suffer from the temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), also known as jaw pain, physical therapy can help. A physical therapist will work with you to perform exercises and other activities designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the jaw and relieve pain. In addition, a physical therapist can teach you how to properly use your jaw and help you avoid activities that may aggravate your condition. If you are experiencing jaw pain, contact a physical therapist today to learn how they can help you find relief.