Why do I need to go to physical therapy? and What’s it going to do for me?
With those questions in mind, let’s take a few moments to review some of the many benefits of physical therapy!
Physical therapists are your providers. These are health care professionals who help patients improve their mobility, decrease their pain, their need for pain relieving medications and the potential need for surgery. Plus, physical therapy affords patients the ability to be able to participate in their recovery plan actively. Physical therapists work with patients to improve their mobility and motion, allowing patients to be more independent and physically active – two crucial aspects that play into quality of life.
Physical therapy can also be used as a “first line of defense” in the rehabilitation of an injury. For instance, patients presenting with lower back pain can benefit greatly from physical therapy. Often, trialing a more conservative treatment – such as physical therapy – can help patients avoid surgery and other expensive procedures. Physical therapy has also proved to be extremely effective for the treatment of other conditions, such as rotator cuff impingement, knee pain, and degenerative disc disease, just to name a few.
It’s also important to note that physical therapy allows patients to participate in their recovery actively – patients and therapists work together to create a treatment plan that fits the individual needs and challenges of the patient. It’s most certainly NOT a “one size fits all” type of treatment. In fact, patients and physical therapists tend to work so closely that they develop a bond that stands the test of time!
If your physician has suggested physical therapy as a treatment option for you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call! Here at Prairie Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery, we have physical therapists on site, as well as a dedicated, state-of-the-art therapy area. Our therapists would be happy to meet with you, evaluate your needs and condition, and then work with you to help design a therapy plan that fits both you and your lifestyle.