If you think physical therapy is just for people recovering from an orthopedic injury, think again. While it is true that physical therapy is often prescribed to those who are recovering from injuries and need help in reducing pain and restoring mobility, it can offer significant benefits for a wide range of patients with muscle or joint conditions.
What Is Physical Therapy and Who Does It Help?
Typically, physical therapy consists of a combination of exercises to relieve pain and boost coordination, strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion. Physical therapists (PTs) are highly trained movement experts whose goal is to improve the quality of life of their patients through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and education.
PTs treat affected areas with a wide range of techniques, including heat or cold therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, soft tissue massage, or even aquatic therapy in a swimming pool. In addition, PTs often oversee the activities of patients during stretching routines and provide them with exercises they can perform at home in order to heal better, faster, and safely.
Physical therapy can benefit anyone who:
- Is coping with pain. PTs collaborate with doctors to help patients with problems related primarily to their musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. They can determine the various components of your pain and prescribe exercises to provide relief and make you stronger without enduring additional pain while doing them.
- Has sustained a sports injury. PTs specializing in sports medicine can work with a wide range of amateur and professional athletes of all ages. Whether treating a minor or major injury, a PT can help you get back on the field of play as soon as possible. They can also help healthy athletes improve their performance and show them how to play safely in their sport despite an injury.
- Has balance or other issues related to aging. Physical therapy can play a significant role in improving the fitness of elderly adults using strengthening, balancing, and cardiovascular exercises.
- Needs surgery for a muscle or joint problem. In some cases, physical therapy can safely delay or eliminate the need for surgery for musculoskeletal issues by decreasing pain and improving function. However, if you do need surgery, physical therapy can be necessary in recovery. Appropriate exercises can help you heal and get back to normal strength and range of motion much faster.
- Has suffered a stroke or other neurological problem that affects their ability to move. Physical therapy can help some patients regain their normal function and quality of life after a stroke or other neurological problem that is progressive in nature. In this case, PTs can employ different strengthening or movement techniques, teach the patient better gait patterns for walking, or help them manage and reduce the severity of symptoms that affect how they move.
Physical Therapy in Birmingham, Alabama
At Iron Standard Physical Therapy, it is our mission to bring high-quality physical rehabilitation care to patients. We offer a wide range of PT services in and around Birmingham, Alabama. To find out how we can help relieve your pain or other symptoms, call us at (770) 789-8380. You can also simply request an appointment<link> online.
