Why Physical Therapy is Important

Why Physical Therapy is Important

Physical therapy is an increasingly common type of medical treatment. It is often recommended by a doctor for a variety of reasons, from injury to recovery from surgery. Some patients avoid physical therapy or don’t follow through with it because they don’t understand the importance. Physical therapy can be difficult and sometimes even painful, which is why many patients don’t complete their treatment. Some never even give it a chance, but there are many reasons why physical therapy is important. 

What Does Physical Therapy Do?

Physical therapy involves performing exercises that are specifically designed to build strength, promote proper movement, increase range of motion, and relieve pain. Physical therapists are highly trained and use their skills to develop an exercise regimen that will effectively help patients reach their goals. For example, in the case of shoulder physical therapy, a physical therapist will help a patient through a series of arm movements that will improve the shoulder joint’s feel and function. Exercises may involve equipment, weights, or just bodyweight. 

Benefits of Doing Physical Therapy 

• Relieve pain. PT can relieve all kinds of pain from chronic back pain to pain resulting from an injury. Living with pain on a daily basis can be debilitating. Pain medication can help, but it is only treating the symptom, not the source of the pain. Taking pain medication on a daily basis for an extended period of time can have detrimental effects. It can also be habit-forming. But PT addresses the source of the pain and helps to relieve it permanently.
• Increase range of motion. An injury can lead to decreased motion of the injured body part and other parts of the body that may have weakened as a result. Physical therapy after an injury can help the patient to make a full recovery and regain previous abilities.
• Recover faster after surgery. The after-effects of surgery can be painful. It’s critical to rest following many medical procedures, but being immobile for too long can have negative consequences. Avoiding movement can lead to the weakening of muscles and stiffening of joints. Physical therapy can help patients regain strength, reduce swelling, and recover more quickly.
• Regain abilities after a stroke. A stroke can sometimes cause brain damage because the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain becomes blocked. The after-effects of a stroke can include weakness and the loss of both large and fine motor skills. Physical therapy can help many patients regain their strength and abilities from walking to self-care.

The Role of the Physical Therapist in Motivation

Physical therapy is also essential because physical therapists help to motivate patients to do the work they need to do to feel better. Going to see a physical therapist who can help the patient through the necessary exercises helps to hold them accountable for their own recovery. Patients who only attend a session or two and then attempt to go it alone are less likely to follow through and get their desired results. Merely repeating the same exercises at home, even doing them daily, may not be enough to result in a full recovery. 

Physical therapy works in stages; as the patient gains strength, the exercises will increase in difficulty to help them progress. A physical therapist can continually change and develop an exercise plan based on the patient’s needs. 

In Need of PT? Try Manhattan Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy can make a huge difference in your recovery and overall health. It can be challenging to come back from an injury or a surgery, but with the help of Manhattan Physical Therapy, you can get your life back and do the things you once loved again. Manhattan PT provides the latest, most up to date therapies to help you make a faster recovery, such as Redcord treatment suspension therapy. Our cutting edge facility and highly trained physical therapists will work hard, side by side with you, to help you get better. 

Call (212) 213-3480 today to request a consultation or contact us. We look forward to helping you reach your goals.