Is physiotherapy right for you?
Physical therapy is beneficial for patients of any age who are suffering from medical ailments, diseases, or injuries that restrict their normal capacity to move and operate.
Individuals may be able to return to their previous level of functioning with the assistance of a specialized physical therapy program, which may also encourage the participation in activities and changes in lifestyle that may reduce the risk of further injury and improve overall health and well-being.
Physical therapy is often recommended by primary care physicians to their patients at the first indication of a problem since it is seen as a more conservative approach to the management of disorders. Are you curious about the factors that contribute to the significance of physical therapy? In this blog we’ve listed five potential advantages of the practice for you to consider.
#1 REDUCE OR ELIMINATE PAIN
It is possible to alleviate pain and improve muscle and joint function with the use of therapeutic exercises and manual therapy methods such as joint and soft tissue mobilization, as well as treatments such as ultrasound, taping, and electrical stimulation. These kinds of treatments may help stop the discomfort from coming back.
#2 Avoid Surgery
If you are able to get rid of the pain or recover from an injury with the aid of physical therapy, you may not need surgery. You may benefit from pre-operative physical therapy even if surgery is necessary to treat your condition. In many instances, you will recuperate more quickly following surgery if you are already in better physical form and stronger before you go in for it. A second benefit of postponing surgical intervention is a reduction in overall medical expenses.
#3 Improve Mobility
It doesn’t matter how old you are; if you’re experiencing problems standing, walking, or moving about, physical therapy may assist. Exercises that focus on stretching and strengthening help recover your ability to move freely. Individuals may be fitted with a cane, crutches, or any other assistive device in the correct manner by physical therapists, and they can also be evaluated for orthotic prescription. Through the creation of a personalized care plan, a person may practice and modify any activity that has significance in their life in order to achieve their highest possible level of performance while minimizing risk.
#4 Recover After A Stroke
Following a stroke, it is not uncommon for patients to have a loss of function and mobility of some kind. The benefits of physical therapy include improved walking and balance, as well as the strengthening of weakest portions of the body. A stroke patient’s ability to move around in bed and transfer from one location to another can be improved by a physical therapist, allowing the patient to become more independent around the house and reducing the burden of care they require for activities such as toileting, bathing, dressing, and other activities of daily living.
#5 Recover From A Sports Injury Or Take Precautions To Avoid Getting One
Physical therapists are aware of the ways in which certain sports might raise the patient’s likelihood of experiencing certain ailments such as stress fractures for distance runners. They are able to develop for you proper exercise regimens for rehabilitation or prevention, which will guarantee a safe return to your sport.
Additional Advantages Of Participating In Physiotherapy
While those are the top 5 reasons to get physiotherapy, there are many other additional ones as well. Here are some of the most evident ones:
- Work On Your Balance To Reduce The Risk Of Falling
You will have a screening for your potential risk of falling once you begin physical therapy. If you are at a high risk for falling, your therapists will give you exercises that safely and thoroughly test your balance in order to simulate the kinds of scenarios you would encounter in real life. Exercises designed to enhance coordination and assistance gadgets that may make walking more secure are both provided by therapists to patients. Physical therapists are able to conduct particular exercises that may rapidly restore appropriate vestibular functioning and minimize or eliminate sensations of dizziness or vertigo when the issue with a patient’s balance is caused by a malfunction in the patient’s vestibular system.
- Take Care Of Your Diabetes And Your Cardiovascular Issues
Exercising regularly as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy for diabetes may assist in more efficiently controlling blood sugar levels. In addition, those who have diabetes are more likely to have issues with the feeling in their feet and legs. These patients may benefit from having their physical therapists assist in the provision of an education on appropriate foot care in order to avoid more complications down the line.
- Take Care Of Problems Associated With Aging
As people become older, they increase their risk of developing osteoporosis and arthritis, as well as the possibility of requiring a joint replacement. Physical therapists are trained professionals who assist patients in recovering after joint replacement surgery and in the conservative management of arthritic or osteoporotic disorders.
Treating Diseases Of The Heart And Lungs
Patients who have had a heart attack or surgery performed may be eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. However, if your everyday functioning has been impacted, you may also be eligible for physical therapy. Patients who suffer from pulmonary conditions may benefit from strengthening, conditioning, and breathing exercises during physical therapy. These activities may also assist patients in expelling fluid from their lungs.
- Take Care Of Women’s Health Issues In Addition To Other Illnesses
Women have unique health challenges, such as those pertaining to pregnancy and the care they need after giving birth. Physical therapists are trained to provide specialized care for a wide range of concerns pertaining to women’s health. In addition, physical therapy may provide specialist treatment for the following conditions and symptoms: urine incontinence, bowel incontinence, breast cancer, constipation, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, male pelvic health, and pelvic discomfort.
- Help With Recovering From Sports Injuries
Sportsmen and sportswomen, from weekend warriors to high level players, are known for their stoicism; nonetheless, injuries may put their careers in jeopardy. The recovery process may be sped up with the aid of physiotherapy, which in turn enables the individual to return to sports competition in a shorter amount of time.
- Help With The Recovery From Accidental Injury
Accidents involving motor vehicles or those that take place at work need the highest level of medical attention. Following up with a physiotherapist for an evaluation and therapy may often heal injuries with better long-term benefits. This is recommended after visiting a primary care physician or an emergency room physician.
Pregnancy
As we’ve previously mentioned it can help women who are pregnant. Changes in posture may be necessary during pregnancy because of the way in which weight is carried around the belly and how it shifts as the pregnancy progresses. A significant number of pregnant women suffer from poor posture. Taking prescription pills and other medicines while pregnant can put the unborn child at risk. If you are experiencing discomfort in your back, sacrum, or hip, you should see a physiotherapist as soon as possible.
- Help With Continuous Suffering
When treating chronic pain, medication is not the only option available. A physiotherapist may be able to help break the cycle of pain and assist in returning to activities. Although pain is caused by a complicated system, It has been shown that acupuncture is an effective method of reducing pain without the use of pharmaceuticals. In the majority of circumstances, research has shown that engaging in physical activity may bring beneficial long-term alleviation.
- Relief From Bone Conditions And Diseases
Conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of arthritis impact not just old people but even young folks. These diseases may respond well to the physiotherapy modalities and movement-based treatment that have been recommended by a physiotherapist.
- Weight Management
There are many of us who struggle with our weight and have concerns about our bodies as a result of the growth in the number of people who are overweight and obese as a direct result of the variables associated with lifestyle choices. Your program for losing weight might get off to a good start with the assistance of a physiotherapist.
- Care Both Before And After Surgical Procedures
The results of surgical procedures may be improved with the aid of physiotherapy. This is particularly important to keep in mind if you are contemplating getting a knee or hip replacement. Check in with your primary care physician or surgeon to find out whether or not you might benefit from doing physiotherapy either before or after surgery.
Help With Vertigo Or Dizziness
The severity of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and vertigo may range anywhere from moderate to severe. The duration of the symptoms might range anywhere from a few seconds to many months. They could go into remission, but then show up again after a number of months or years have passed. A vestibular physiotherapist has the education and experience to diagnose and treat disorders that may have an impact on the way your inner ear works. Regaining your freedom, decreasing dizziness, and improving your balance are all possible outcomes with this risk-free and medication-free treatment option.
Rehabilitative Activities Of A Physical Nature And Workouts
Even if you don’t have any aches or pains, it’s still a good idea to visit a physiotherapist once or twice a month for “pre-habilitation.” This is an investment in your health that will pay off in the long run. The musculoskeletal system may take a serious beating from sitting in front of a screen for long periods of time. In comparison to other types of therapy, physical rehabilitation programs simply take a far more comprehensive and integrative approach to the patient’s overall health and well-being. This is like getting a dental checkup and cleaning.
Invest In Your Health And Manage Your Conditions With Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy has an extensive amount of benefits that we’ve clearly listed above. While you may not believe that physiotherapy is needed for your condition, you would be surprised. Contact Dun-Dix Healthcare Clinic in Mississauga to find out how our team of physiotherapists can help you.