Whether you are dealing with NC Center For Physical Therapy an injury, recovering from surgery, or living with a chronic condition that affects your physical ability to move, physical therapy can be an effective treatment option.
Physical therapists offer a wide range of services to patients, and they can work with many other medical providers in order to create a comprehensive treatment plan that will help their patients achieve their goals. Here are 7 of the most common ways that physical therapists are used.
Relieves Pain
Physical therapists focus on improving your quality of life by treating the source of pain. Instead of covering it with a drug, they address the cause of pain and provide you with long-lasting pain relief through exercises and other treatments.
During your first appointment, your physical therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your body to determine what is causing you to experience pain. They will assess your range of motion, muscle strength, posture, balance and endurance.
Your therapist will also help you understand why you are experiencing pain and teach you how to reduce it. The best way to do this is by learning how to move your body properly.
Exercises in physical therapy can relieve your pain by increasing blood flow to your affected area, which decreases the amount of inflammatory substances that are present. Massage, heat and cold can all help improve circulation as well.
Strengthens Muscles
A physical therapist’s job is to help people recover from injuries and conditions by restoring mobility, flexibility, strength, and balance. This is done through exercises, hands-on care, and patient education.
If you are experiencing a range of symptoms such as poor flexibility, tension, and pain, it’s important to see your physical therapist to get treatment immediately. This will allow you to avoid surgery and reduce your risk of future injury.
Muscles lose their maximum strength within 24 to 48 hours of inactivity, so strengthening is an essential part of recovery. This is why physical therapy often includes strength training exercises, which use body weight, resistance, or light weights to improve muscle endurance and strength.
Strength training can be a powerful way to increase muscle mass, which increases your metabolic rate and can boost your healing process. This is especially important for patients recovering from an injury, but it can also be beneficial for anyone wanting to get fit and healthy.
Improves Balance
Balance is a critical aspect NC Center For PT of fitness for walking, jogging, and running, as well as lifting weights. Improving balance can help you improve agility, reaction time, and overall performance level quality, and reduce the risk of injury.
A person’s balance relies on their body recognizing and using signals to maintain their center of gravity. Losing your balance can cause you to trip, sway, or fall, and may result in serious injury.
Whether your problem is due to a sedentary lifestyle, muscle weakness, or issues with the inner ear, physical therapy can help you regain your sense of balance and improve your strength. Treatment options include balance exercises, posture retraining, eye-tracking and vestibular training, and more.
Your physical therapist will assess your balance and recommend an exercise program that is based on your needs. They will also teach you how to perform your exercises safely and effectively. Once your course of treatment is completed, your physical therapist may recommend that you transition to a community program, hosted by hospitals, senior centers, or volunteer groups, to continue your balance exercises and help you build a fall-proof home environment.
Prevents Future Injuries
Physical therapy is not only used to improve physical function, but also to help prevent future injuries. This is because a therapist will examine your lifestyle, medical history and other factors to come up with a plan that can make your body stronger and more mobile so you can enjoy the activities you love to do without fear of injury.
Your therapist will recommend a range of exercises that are designed to strengthen muscles in the area that was injured, which will help you avoid any future re-injuries. They also suggest ways to stay healthy like eating right and exercising regularly.
Conclusion
Another thing that your therapist will likely do is give you a massage to relax your sore muscles and help you sleep better at night. In addition, they may use treatments based on physical stimuli such as heat, cold Physical Therapy Clinic or electrical currents to relieve pain and encourage healing. This is a great way to get your body back to its full strength after an injury and can lead to less pain and faster recovery time than traditional treatments.
