A common misconception about physical therapy is that it is just for patients recovering from traumatic events, rehabilitation after surgery, or an athletic injury. As it turns out, physical therapy can help people of all ages and circumstances! A physical therapist can help you make improvements in your daily life and help you achieve your movement goals. If you are unsure whether physical therapy is right for you, here are five common signs that indicate you might need physical therapy:
1. You’re experiencing sharp pain
Back pain, neck pain, joint pain. We have all most likely experienced one of these at one point or another. This pain can stem from sitting at your desk for too long, from your training routine for that next marathon, or from certain movements in your everyday life. No matter the source, if this pain becomes consistent and sharp, you should consider reaching out to a physical therapist. A physical therapist can help you identify the culprit, help alleviate tension, and provide you with a movement plan that will promote strengthening and healing.
2. You are about to have surgery
Have an upcoming surgery? You don’t have to wait until after surgery to benefit from physical therapy treatment. Working with a physical therapist before surgery, referred to as pre-habilitation, is beneficial in preparing your body for the procedure you are about to endure. In fact, physical therapy has become a popular treatment option for patients who are hoping to avoid surgery altogether. Prehab has been shown to help increase surgical outcomes, shorten hospital stays, and avoid high risk side effects from surgery. It will help set you up for success and give you the best possible chance at a successful recovery.
We recently met with Dan, a patient in our Spooner North Mesa clinic. Dan presented with shoulder pain, advice from his doctor that surgery was his best option, and an inability to raise his left arm past shoulder height. After 6 weeks of physical therapy, Dan has regained 90% of his range of motion, is moving and feeling better and has successfully avoided an expensive and painful surgery that would have significantly extended his time to recovery.
3. You are struggling with past injuries or are experiencing frequent injuries
It seems as if you just can’t catch a break. Are you still struggling with a past injury and can’t quite seem to kick that all too familiar pain in your foot? Maybe you are experiencing all-to-frequent injuries to the point where you’re considering quitting the adult softball league. Did you suffer a fall and want to make sure it does not happen again? A physical therapist can work with you to prevent these injuries from happening in the first place and help you identify what is preventing you from getting back to feeling 100%. Spooner physical therapists are trained to find the source of the injury by taking a whole-body approach to injury assessment and treatment. Injuries shouldn’t be inhibiting you from the things you want to enjoy in life.
4. You are pregnant or just had a baby
From prenatal to post-partum, your body is drastically changing. A physical therapist can help you during your prenatal journey by evaluating what is changing in your body and help guide you through healthy exercises and functional movement. Physical therapy can then assist you in retraining your body after the birth experience. Regain strength, improve function, and stay active all throughout your prenatal and postpartum journey to put you in the best possible position to care for your new child and return to your active lifestyle. Learn more about the many benefits of physical therapy before and after pregnancy here!
5. You’re having to alter the way you go about your day to day life
Are you experiencing a general discomfort in you day to day activities? Are you working from home and experiencing new neck or back pains? Spooner physical therapists are equipped to help in setting up an ergonomically proper workstation that will promote proper posture and relieve those new aches and pains. Maybe activities like walking the dog or keeping up with your grandkids are not quite as simple as they once were. A physical therapist can help you with a treatment plan to overcome what is holding you back and get you back to doing the things you love.
If you are experiencing any of the above signs in your daily life, your body might be telling you it is time to take action, and Spooner is here to help! Click here to schedule an appointment at one of Spooner’s many locations across the valley. We look forward to working with you to get your health in motion.