If you have recently been in an accident, you probably know the pain and suffering that can linger. It can also seriously limit your mobility. However, you do not need to suffer forever. Getting help from a licensed physical therapist may be just what the doctor ordered.
But how can physical therapy help you recover after you were injured in an accident? PT helps physically and emotionally after an injury. There are a bunch of benefits that come with receiving physical therapy that you may not realize.
Regardless of what caused your injuries, physical therapy services are helpful to get you back to your original self. Knowing the benefits of having a therapist will help put your mind at ease.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy treats an injury, deformity, or disease using physical practices like exercise, stretches, massage, and heat treatment. The goal of physical therapy is to relieve pain in your body and restore function. Physical therapy targets and strengthens weakened muscle groups, allowing you a better range of motion.
Do I Need to Be Injured to Go for Physical Therapy?
No, you do not need to be injured to seek assistance from a physical therapist, although this tends to be the situation in most cases. Primary care doctors are often proactive with patients displaying signs of a problem. Physical therapy focuses on the mechanics of your body. You may benefit from working with a physical therapist to help you return to optimal function even if you have not suffered an injury.
Can Physical Therapy Be Bad for Me?
Physical therapy treatments are designed with your recovery as the main factor. With that said, there are situations where physical therapy can be bad for your recovery. This is when you are having improper therapy sessions or are not doing the correct exercises designed to treat your injuries.
In most cases, given proper training, therapy is safe and beneficial to your body’s recovery process. If you are in pain due to the exercises you are doing, you may be overworking yourself. Consult with your physical therapist to determine what routine is best for you.
Common Reasons to Go for Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is used for various reasons and helps people of all ages. Whether you have an illness or medical condition or have suffered an injury that limits your natural bodily function, a physical therapy program tailored to you can help heal you now and avoid being injured in the future. Physical therapy is also a great way to enhance your overall health and well-being.
Some of the most common reasons to go for physical therapy are:
- Chronic weakness and fatigue
- To avoid having surgery
- To reduce or eliminate pain
- To help with bowel or bladder incontinence
- To relieve arthritis in your joints
- Issues with your mobility or balance
- Recovery from cancer treatment
- Manage diabetes and cardiovascular conditions
- Women’s health
- Prepartum and postpartum programs
What Benefits Does Physical Therapy Serve After an Injury?
- Manage your pain
- Improve your mobility
- Improve balance and protects against falling
- Faster recovery time
- Chronic pain issues
- Prevent future injuries from occurring
- Improve your strength and conditioning
- Avoids the need for surgery in some cases
- Treat other conditions
- Slow the process of aging
- Improve your long-term health
If you recently suffered an injury, you have nothing to lose but recovery time. Make it a point to look into physical therapy. This therapy comes with many benefits and the ability to relieve your current pains, which can lead to you becoming the best version of yourself.
If you are still on the ropes about whether physical therapy may be right for you, click here to read more. We can help with any questions or concerns and guide you toward a new healthier you.