Nearly half of all Americans over the age of 18 will develop a musculoskeletal injury that lasts longer than three months. That’s more than 100 million people who could benefit from physical therapy (PT). So why do so few people, relatively speaking, take advantage of outpatient PT services in their area?
It seems to be an unfortunate well-kept secret: PT is remarkably effective at helping people of all ages recover from injuries and illnesses that restrict their ability to move and function. Better yet, PT does not involve invasive procedures, like addictive painkilling drugs or risky neck or back surgeries.
Here are just a few of the benefits PT provides for those willing to participate:
- Reduces pain. Exercises and manual PT techniques or treatments like ultrasound or electrical stimulation can relieve pain and restore muscle and joint function and can prevent pain from returning.
- Maximizes movement. Physical therapists identify, diagnose and treat movement problems. If you have difficulty standing, walking or moving, regardless of your age, PT can help.
- Boosts your physical activity. A regular exercise regimen as recommended by your physical therapist will benefit not only your physical but your mental and social health. It can prevent or enhance numerous chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, depression, obesity and even some cancers.
- Improves your balance and averts falls. If you’re at high risk for falling, your PT staff can provide exercises to help improve your coordination. They can also perform special techniques to curb symptoms that lead to dizziness and vertigo.
- Helps you manage age-related issues. Experienced PT professionals regularly help patients recover from hip or knee replacement procedures and help seniors manage arthritic or osteoporotic conditions without prescription medications.
- Managing Sports Injuries. PT professionals understand the kind of demands that various sports place on your legs, arms, knees, elbows and feet. They can design the right recovery/prevention exercise programs to help you safely return to your sport.
- Assists those with pulmonary issues. PT can improve the quality of life for those with pulmonary problems through conditioning and breathing exercises and with suggestions that help them clear fluid in their lungs.
- Avoids Surgery. Research shows that PT is often as effective as surgery when it comes to meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, degenerative disk disease and more. In short, before you have surgery, try PT!
There are many options to consider for those recovering from accidents and falls, as a professional, like a physical therapy specialist in Capitol Heights, Maryland from a treatment center such as AmeriWell Clinics, can explain.