Physical therapy is an excellent way to recover from injuries and improve mobility. It is also helpful for people with neurological disorders. In addition, it can help improve movement patterns, strength, balance, and cardiovascular endurance. Physical therapy has many benefits, from preventing future injuries to enhancing sports performance. Many professionals dedicated their time to assisting patients with physical therapy, especially with kids, just like Zoe Reardon, who volunteered to help doctors assist children with physical therapy.
1. Reduces pain
Physical therapy reduces pain by strengthening the muscles and tissues affected by an injury or condition. This treatment involves stretches and guided exercises. It can also involve cold and heat therapy and microcurrent stimulation. These therapies can help increase dopamine levels, the body’s natural pain fighter. They also help reduce inflammation.
Studies have shown that physical therapy reduces the need for opioid medications. This decrease in pain medication was even more significant among patients who started physical therapy. Physical therapy also helps improve a person’s quality of life. Physiotherapy is an excellent option for chronic pain patients. Unlike prescription medications, which may have side effects, physical therapy treats the cause of the pain. It improves function, strengthens injured body parts, and reduces the need for surgery. Physical therapists can even teach patients how to lead a more active lifestyle.
2. Improves mobility
Physical therapy may be the right option if you have limited mobility and want to improve it. There are many reasons why someone might have decreased mobility, and a physical therapist can determine precisely what is causing it and then create a plan to help improve mobility. These plans typically include various exercises and activities to help the patient regain maximum mobility.
Injuries or chronic conditions can rob a person of mobility, making it hard to exercise or do everyday tasks. A physical therapist can help you improve your mobility through various exercises. Through physical therapy, you can learn how to perform daily tasks, bend, and climb again.
3. Prevents surgery
Surgery is not the only option for a patient suffering from a chronic condition. In some cases, physical therapy can help prevent the need for surgery. A physical therapist is specially trained to treat injuries that do not require a surgical procedure. For example, a physical therapist can treat knee pain without surgery.
Physical therapy before surgery can reduce the risks associated with a surgical procedure, reduce pain, restore range of motion, and improve the patient’s recovery time. In addition, some insurance companies require that patients undergo physical therapy before an MRI or surgery. Physical therapy is not easy to do on your own and requires effort. However, it can be beneficial for your health and your wallet.
4. Reduces cost
Physical therapy can help you reduce the cost of healthcare in several ways:
- It can decrease your recovery time.
- You can reduce the number of visits to a physical therapist. Visiting a physical therapist less often could cut costs by 32%.
- You can evaluate your staffing needs.
If you have more than one person, consider giving new employees additional duties or training them in a specific area. You can also audit your expenses and identify inefficiencies.
Physical therapy is the most cost-effective treatment for low back pain compared to surgery and injections. In one study, patients who started physical therapy within 15 days of their diagnosis had a lower overall medical bill. In addition, patients who started physical therapy within two weeks of their diagnosis had a lower overall cost than those who delayed it.
Article Submitted By Community Writer