How Can Physical Therapy Help Me?

If you or a family member have recently been referred to a physical therapist, you may have some questions. How will physical therapy be helpful, and what should you expect during your treatment? We’re here to answer some of those initial questions and help put your worries to rest.

How Does Physical Therapy Help? 

Physical therapy is a practice in which professional physical therapists treat abnormal physical function. There are a variety of situations that might lead to the need for physical therapy. Certain injuries, conditions, and even diseases can be treated successfully using physical therapy. The goal of most physical therapy treatments is to restore function and relieve pain from activity. Sometimes these goals can be even more significant, such as helping patients avoid surgery for conditions that can be treated by a physical therapist instead. 

What are the Benefits of Physical Therapy?

There are many benefits that can come from various treatments, depending on your diagnosis. If your movement or activity is being limited, physical therapy may be able to restore the physical function being affected. If you are experiencing significant pain or discomfort due to an injury or condition, some treatments can help relieve these symptoms. Successful physical therapy can even help you avoid the need for certain surgeries.

What Conditions Does Physical Therapy Treat?

As mentioned in a previous article, “What Is Physical Therapy?” physical therapists mainly work with bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. These parts of your body can be affected by a number of injuries and conditions. From injuries like runner’s knee, tennis elbow, and shin splints to conditions such as cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, your physical therapist can work with you to develop a treatment plan that will help relieve associated pain and physical limitations.

What Should I Expect at a Physical Therapy Appointment?

The first visit to your physical therapist will likely be to assess your physical therapy needs. Doing so will help you and your physical therapist work out a treatment plan that’s right for you. Physical therapy treatments are centered on the patient and their needs, so communicating your pain, symptoms, and expected goals are important in your first appointment and during ongoing treatment.

After your initial visit, additional appointments with your physical therapist will be scheduled to work toward pain relief, if that is the issue, and improvement of physical function. Treatment will follow the plan you and your physical therapist decided on, so you won’t run into surprises.

How Do I Find a Physical Therapist in San Marcos, TX?

Finding the right physical therapist for you is an important part of beginning your journey toward recovery. Professional physical therapists must be trained and licensed. In addition, you should find a physical therapist that you feel comfortable communicating with, as clear discussion of your treatment is an important part of recovery.

Ready to learn more about physical therapy and how it could help improve your life? Contact Limitless Physical Therapy and Wellness, a physical therapy clinic in San Marcos, TX, to request information or make an appointment. 

https://limitless-physical-therapy.com/how-can-physical-therapy-help-me/

What is Physical Therapy?

Perhaps you’ve heard of people going to physical therapy after a car accident? Or maybe your own doctor has recommended physical therapy for yourself? Let’s take a quick walk-through of the field of physical therapy so that you can better understand what we do and what to expect when you come to our office.

Physical therapy is an allied health practice that uses mechanical force and movements, manual therapy, exercise therapy, and electrotherapy to remediate impairments and promote mobility and function. Our ultimate goal is to help patients reduce pain and regain day-to-day mobility and strength without invasive surgeries or the long-term use of prescription medications.

What Can Be Treated with Physical Therapy?

Our specialty is working with the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Therefore, we are commonly involved in the treatment of:
• Neck pain and whiplash
• Shoulder impingements
• Rotator cuff problems
• Joint pain
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
• Low back pain
• Runners knee
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bursitis
• Joint replacement rehabilitation
• Arthritis
• Sciatica
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Shin splints
• TMJ
• Fibromyalgia
• Scoliosis
• Lou Gehrig’s
• Cerebral Palsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Guillan-Barre Syndrome

What Happens During Physical Therapy?

Your first appointment will be largely an assessment of your needs and creating a treatment plan. The Physical Therapist will ask you questions about your pain, your ability to perform everyday tasks, how well you sleep, and your medical background. Next, you will be given some basic movement tests that measure how well you can move around, reach, bend, or grasp; how well you can ambulate on flat surfaces and stairs; and your posture and balance. Finally, your physical therapist will work with you to create a treatment program. Together, you will set goals related to functionality and pain relief and define the exercises or other treatments necessary to attain those goals.
Subsequent physical therapy treatments might include any of the following, depending on your needs:
• Exercises
• Stretches
• Massage
• Heat therapy
• Cold therapy
• Ultrasound
• Dry needling
• IASTM
• Cryotherapy
• Rehab to help you learn to use an artificial limb
• Practice with medical equipment to help you ambulate, such as a walker or cane

Physical therapy is a very patient-centered practice. Your goals, treatment plan, exercises, duration of treatments all depend upon you and your needs. If you think physical therapy might improve your quality of life, we’d love to explore that with you!