Physical therapy deals with the preservation, rehabilitation, and improvement of physical capability and function in a patient. Therapists employ techniques such as exercise, stretching, the use of assistive devices, external modalities (such as hot or cold therapy), and education to help patients improve their health and get stronger.
Physical therapy is virtually always prescribed after having invasive surgery whereby a muscle or joint was impacted. Doctors also may recommend physical therapy to treat injuries and conditions that limit regular mobility functions, alongside other conservative treatment methods to promote your overall health and wellness.
Let’s talk about how you can get healthier with physical therapy treatment, and where you can go to find out more about noninvasive therapeutic treatments.
Physical Therapy for Improved Pain Management
Physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, is recommended for patients who experience acute or chronic pain. Instead of solely relying on pain-relief medicine, patients can take a proactive approach to address their pain.
All of the various parts of the body are interconnected and thereby affect each other. Through physical therapy, you can restore and improve your strength, flexibility, and mobility. In addition to exercise and physical modalities, physical therapists can show you how you can move your body safely to avoid triggering pain.
Injury Rehabilitation and Prevention Techniques
Many athletes and physically active individuals have a high risk for overuse and trauma injuries due to their participation in various sports and recreational activities. In particular, sports such as gymnastics, football, boxing, and any form of martial arts account for significant musculoskeletal injuries that often need physical therapy. If you underwent surgery for treatment, physical therapy is also vital to your rehabilitation.
Physical therapists and athletic trainers can help athletes and physically active people as well as those who are on the road to recovery to return to their normal routines. Personalized physical therapy programs for injury rehabilitation can help with back, hip, knee, ankle, elbow, or foot injuries.
Patients can regain control over their motor functions through exercises that build up and stretch the muscles for strength, range of motion, and flexibility. For instance, patients who undergo joint replacement will then have post-op physical therapy sessions so that they can get used to their new joint.
Improved Quality of Life and Mental Health
Physical therapy is beneficial not only for your physical well-being but also for your mental health. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can improve an individual’s mood.
Physical therapy can be done regularly for this purpose. Your therapist will show you exercises and stretching movements that you can continue to perform on your own, at home, in order to keep your mind-body-health connection strong.
Physical Therapy in Johnson City and Kingsport, TN
While people often relate it to sports injuries or surgery recovery, physical therapy can also improve your overall health. Here at Watauga Orthopaedics, you can trust our physical therapists, hand therapists, and athletic trainers to give you the quality and personalized therapy services you need.
To find out more about our physical therapy services, you may reach us at (423) 282-9011 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you improve your health so you can enjoy the active lifestyle you love!
