Do I need Physical Therapy?
Many of us go through our daily lives with aches and pains. It’s just part of life, but does it have to be? Seeking treatment early can often lead to quicker healing and getting back to being you again. Physical therapists can treat a variety of ailments, conditions and disorders. So ask yourself a few questions:
Do you have pain that limits your strength or mobility?
Do you have pain lasting several days in a row?
Do you have a chronic condition like Osteoarthritis?
Are you feeling clumsy or off balance?
If the answer is yes, then it’s time to see a physical therapist. So what can a PT do to help you get back on track? First, you’ll review your complete medical history with your physical therapist – including current medications, past surgical procedures, what your current limitations are, and your goals for physical therapy. Next, your PT will measure your pain response (if you have any), measure your strength and range of motion and possibly check for sensitivity to touch i.e. trigger points, muscle tension etc. Then, the PT will take all the info and data collected, determine a diagnosis then generate a plan of exercises, stretches and activities designed specifically for you to achieve goals in the short and long term. Lastly, your PT will give you homework – that’s right, there’s going to be a test later. The homework will consist of exercises and stretches to perform outside of your in-clinic visits to maintain the gains that you make at therapy to ensure the most effective and long-lasting recovery.