Physical therapy, commonly referred to as physiotherapy, may involve specific exercises, massages, and other treatments that are focused on physical stimulation. Physical therapy’s goals include pain relief, greater movement, and muscular strengthening for weak areas. The ability to demonstrate to patients what they can do to enhance their own health is a crucial objective.(1) Here are some benefits of physical therapy.
Restores proper movement patterns
Physical therapy can help you correct underlying problems impairing posture and other movement patterns. Moving incorrectly could put more tension on your wound after a strain, rip, or further damage. An evaluation of your injury by a physical therapist will help you learn which motions are normally safe and which could worsen the condition.
Lessens or eliminates pain
To relieve pain and restore muscle and joint function, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques like joint and soft tissue mobilization, or treatments like ultrasound, taping, or electrical stimulation may be used. These treatments can also stop the pain from coming back.
Boosts your balance and mobility
Physical therapy can be used as a type of preventive care, even though many people think of it as a post-trauma treatment. Physical therapy is frequently given to older adults to assist them to move around without the use of walkers or canes and to prevent falls, which can result in broken bones and other injuries.
Aids in enhancing athletic performance
Physical therapy can assist those who desire to improve their athletic performance in addition to helping them recover from injuries. A specialist will choose the best exercises and the muscles to target to increase your strength and flexibility and help you score more goals or set new personal records. Regular physical therapy sessions can lower your risk of injury by preparing your muscle groups for the repetitive movements of your sport.
Recuperates after a stroke
Following a stroke, some function and movement loss is typical. Gait and balance are enhanced as well as deficient body parts are strengthened through physical therapy. Physical therapists can also help stroke patients move more easily in bed, increase their independence about the house, and lessen the amount of care they need for daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and going to the bathroom.
Controls vascular and diabetic problems
Exercise can effectively regulate blood sugar when included in a comprehensive diabetes management plan. Additionally, people with diabetes may experience issues with their legs’ and feet’ sensation. Physical therapists can assist in providing and instructing these patients on proper foot care to avoid future issues.
Modern diabetes management includes Remote Patient Monitoring or RPM, allowing patients to send their health measurements to their healthcare providers from afar. This can reduce visits to clinics or hospitals, and increase adherence to treatment and lifestyle changes concerning physical activities and therapy.
Organizes age-related problems
As people get older, they could get osteoporosis, arthritis, or find themselves in need of joint replacement. Physical therapists are professionals at assisting patients in their recovery from joint replacement surgery and in the conservative management of arthritic or osteoporotic disorders.
Manages lung and heart disease
Patients who have had cardiac rehabilitation following a heart attack or operation may receive physical therapy if their everyday functioning is compromised. Physical therapy can help individuals with pulmonary issues improve their quality of life through strengthening, conditioning, and breathing exercises, as well as by clearing fluid from their lungs.
RPM can help provide better care for patients with lung and heart disease. Read more: Top 2 Ways to Reduce the Burden of COPD Through Remote Patient Monitoring, How Remote Physiologic Monitoring Help Patients with Chronic Heart Diseases?
Improves women’s health
Women have unique health issues, such as those related to pregnancy and postpartum care. Physical therapists are qualified to handle certain women’s health problems. Additionally, physical therapy can offer specialist care for the following conditions: fibromyalgia, lymphedema, breast cancer, constipation, male pelvic health, urine incontinence, and bowel incontinence.
Takeaway
Numerous advantages of physical therapy include less pain, greater function, expanded range of motion, correct alignment, and more. Although returning to activity and regaining function is, of course, the main objectives of physical therapy, these outcomes are frequently a result of the more extensive rehabilitation process, in which many patients discover an entirely new way of moving.
References
- Physical therapy – InformedHealth.org – NCBI Bookshelf. (2020, August 27). Physical Therapy – InformedHealth.Org – NCBI Bookshelf; Accessed July 21, 2022 at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561514/
